Pico de Ana Ferreira is an unbelievable rock formation on Porto Santo, which appears to be like like a backbone of jagged rocks operating down the middle of the island. There are a number of points of interest at Pico de Ana Ferreira such because the quite a few caves to discover, a hike to the summit alongside the jagged ridge, and the ‘Organ Pipes’ rock formation. In this weblog put up, I’ll share with you the entire particulars about visiting Pico de Ana Ferreira for dawn, sundown, climbing, and viewing the rock formations and caves.
HOW TO GET TO PICO DE ANA FERREIRA
Pico de Ana Ferreira is accessible from many sides however I discovered one of the best ways is to begin on the ‘Organ Pipes’ after which hike as much as the cave after which proceed to the summit. This is the simplest method to go to all three points of interest in a single direct route. I’ve added the pin location for the ‘Organ Pipes’ rock formation so you understand the place to start. You can park within the gravel car parking zone close to the golf course or drive all the best way up alongside the gravel highway to the car parking zone proper on the Organ Pipes.
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I’ll share with you the points of interest within the order I visited them so you’ll be able to plan your journey to Pico de Ana Ferreira.
PICO DE ANA FERREIRA ORGAN PIPES
After parking the automobile within the gravel car parking zone close to the golf course, we adopted the grime path up the hill to the ‘Organ Pipes’.
This rock formation is extremely distinctive, with an organ-pipe association of pentagonal rock columns, which was brought on by volcanic exercise thousands and thousands of years in the past. The crest was produced by differential erosion, which implies the ‘host’ rocks have been worn out exposing the extra sturdy and resistant interior layer of mugearitic rock.
At the bottom of the organ pipes, you’ll be able to stroll all the best way as much as examine the floor. When you’re near the rocks, you’ll rapidly be dwarfed by the massive, elongated columns that tower above. It’s a really distinctive spot to go to on Porto Santo.
PICO DE ANA FERREIRA SUNRISE CAVE
After visiting the ‘Organ Pipes,’ you’ll spot a path to the left of the rock formation. Follow this path to the left and it’ll take you on a 15-minute stroll across the hill. It is a worn path however there aren’t any indicators and it isn’t at all times very clear the place the precise observe is. Basically, you are attempting to succeed in the northern finish of the crest/ridge of Pico de Ana Ferreira. This is the place one can find the cave.
The path runs out after just a few hundred meters and you have to start the incline up the hill. Again, there is no such thing as a clear path however you’ll be able to spot just a few worn tracks as you clamber up by the lengthy grass, avoiding the cactus crops alongside the best way. There are a number of routes to the caves with some coming from the west and even on high of the ridge, however I discovered this the perfect route.
You will spot the caves from midway up the hill after which you’ll be able to establish the perfect path to succeed in them. I discovered it useful to go to through the day slightly than attempting to determine all of it out throughout dawn as a result of, in the dead of night, the caves are tougher to identify.
Once you attain the caves, you will notice there are two separate caves about 5 meters broad. The nice half about these caves is that they face on to the east so you’ll be able to sit contained in the cave, hiding from any wind, whereas ready for the solar to rise over the ocean within the east. I visited the caves through the day and for dawn. They have been each nice occasions to go to however the dawn was further particular with some good colours coming out over the clouds because the solar breached the horizon.
PICO DE ANA FERREIRA HIKE
The remaining a part of the journey to Pico de Ana Ferreira is the hike. It’s not for everybody, however if you’re adventurous, traversing the backbone of the rock formation shall be one of many highlights of your Porto Santo journey. After visiting the cave, you’ll climb across the nook and get on high of the cave. This is simpler than it sounds. You then mainly take a direct path to the summit alongside the ridge.
If clambering alongside the backbone is just a little nerve-wracking for you however the summit is in your bucket record, you’ll be able to take the decrease path that cuts up and down the rocks. It isn’t fairly as enjoyable however includes much less clambering and might be a bit safer.
The views trying again down the backbone through the golden hour earlier than sundown have been simply unbelievable. For an island not identified for climbing, Porto Santo certain does have some fairly ridges and peaks.
The remaining incline is up the rocks of the summit, which have been fairly primary however you’ll nonetheless have to take care. The rocks right here have been very dry and grippy however I might not advocate this hike if it has been raining as you don’t wish to be on these rocks when it’s slippery.
From the summit, you’ve gotten panoramic views of your entire island. To the east, you’ll be able to spot the entire different mountain peaks and to the west, you’ll be able to watch the solar slowly fade behind the coastal sea cliffs. You’ll additionally see the Espigao peak close by, which is one other nice hike on Porto Santo Island. You can’t see the solar hit the horizon from this viewpoint, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a terrific sundown spot. Just be sure you convey a headlamp or depart your self sufficient gentle to get again down.
I climbed down from the summit on the southwestern aspect of the ridge to discover just a few extra caves. These are fairly unknown in comparison with the caves on the east and you’ll not often discover individuals in them. One of the caves was formed like a teardrop and on a day with a gorgeous sundown and a colourful sky, it could be a terrific spot to sit down again and loosen up.
There are a number of routes down however I returned again alongside the ridge earlier than dropping down on a protected part to hitch the gravel highway again to the car parking zone close to the golf course.
I hope you loved this information about Pico de Ana Ferreira on Porto Santo Island.
WHERE TO STAY ON PORTO SANTO
There are loads of choices on Porto Santo Island from large all-inclusive lodges to small Airbnb residences. I’ve written an enormous put up about the entire greatest choices in terms of Porto Santo and you’ll test it out right here: WHERE TO STAY ON PORTO SANTO ISLAND: 11 BEST RESORTS AND HOTELS
I stayed for 5 days at Vila Baleira Resort and 5 days at Hotel Porto Santo & Spa but additionally heard and noticed nice issues about Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa. Here’s a fast glimpse at these three, stunning beachside lodging.
VILA BALEIRA RESORT
Vila Baleira Porto Santo (Luxury & All-inclusive): THIS IS WHERE I STAYED! Vila Baleira is a 4-star resort located proper on the golden sand seaside of Porto Santo. The rooms are on one aspect of the highway and the restaurant and pool space are instantly subsequent to the seaside. I had the all-inclusive package deal, which meant we acquired a wristband once we arrived after which had buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to limitless espresso and alcohol all day, each day.
Click right here to test the perfect present charges and availability of Vila Baleira Porto Santo.
Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury): This is a 5-star resort on Porto Santo Island and it’s by the most important resort group in Portugal. The second you step within the resort you’ll be rewarded with a blissful setting and its world-class facilities. I might’ve favored to remain right here and from the whole lot, I heard whereas on the island, it’s a fairly superior place to remain. It’s the highest decide for a resort on Porto Santo Island if you’d like luxurious!
Click right here to test the perfect present charges and availability of Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa.
Hotel Porto Santo & Spa (Luxury): THIS IS WHERE I STAYED! Another elegant, 4-star resort is Hotel Porto Santo & Spa the place I stayed for my second 5-day interval on my 10-day journey to Porto Santo Island. I’d fortunately advocate this Porto Santo resort for {couples} and people searching for beachfront luxurious with a really stress-free environment. On high of that, the spa has a Turkish bathtub, a heated pool, therapeutic massage rooms, rest spots, scorching sand remedy, and extra. Not to say the restaurant serves contemporary native dishes.
Click right here to test the perfect present charges and availability of Hotel Porto Santo & Spa.
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