Ascent from Mosteiros to Cha da Caldeiras

The starting point is in the middle of the small hamlet of 'Cidade da Igreja', 300 metres after the exit from Mosteiros, on the right, just next to a car garage.

Follow the red and white marked trail for 15 minutes until you reach the paved road at the entrance to the village of Paï Antonio.

Continue to the top of the village following the white and red markings and you will arrive at the entrance to the coffee plantation trail (waypoint 1). (You can be dropped off by car at this point and reduce the climb by an hour and 350m of elevation gain).

The climb is almost straight. Note that the first thousand metres of elevation gain are the steepest, after which you will arrive in the eucalyptus forest. The climb continues but is slightly less steep.

After another 350m of elevation gain, you will reach checkpoint 2, the casa florestal, a few abandoned houses that mark the exit of the forest and the end of the trail, which becomes a paved road (however, there are no cars at this point).

We continue climbing until we cross the main road (checkpoint 3) at an altitude of 1,550 metres.

The hardest part is now behind you. Turn left and follow the road, which quickly leads to the entrance to the caldera.

Continue for about five kilometres on a slight incline until you reach Cha da Caldeiras.

Bring water with you, as there are no water sources after Pai Antonio.

It can be cool and damp at higher altitudes, so plan accordingly.

There are no technical or orientation difficulties, but there is a 1,700-metre elevation gain to be covered in one go, or almost.

Walking poles may be useful.