Rocha da Relva

Rocha da Relva is one of those trails that feels very different from the typical Azorean hikes. You start by going down a steep path toward the ocean, and the whole time you’re thinking: “Yeah… I’ll have to climb this again later.”

At the bottom you find something unexpected: a tiny village with small summer houses, gardens, and even a church. There’s no road to get there. Cars simply can’t reach it. Everything the locals need has to be carried down the trail, sometimes with the help of donkeys.

And when I say off-grid, I mean it. There’s no electricity and no cell signal. Forget internet. It’s a quiet little pocket of the island that still works the old way.

The views over the south coast are beautiful, and the place itself is unusual enough to make the hike worth doing at least once.

But personally, it’s not one of my favorite trails. It’s mostly open and exposed, without the lush jungle feel, waterfalls, and dense greenery that make other Azorean hikes special. And the climb back up is the part you’ll remember the most.

Still, it’s a unique place. Do it once. Just don’t underestimate the way back.

Rui's Visit Log