PR 2 - Vereda do Pico do Castelo (West)

This trail begins at the Moledo site, next to the regional road and, climbing along the forest path, you will come across two alternative trails to reach Pico Castelo: via the west or east side of Pico do Facho – the highest peak on Porto Santo island.
Crossing the central area of the island, along the base of Pico do Facho, we can observe remnants of the old agricultural area and appreciate the fantastic construction work of the dressed stone walls and the island's reforestation process.
The trail also offers magnificent panoramic views and the opportunity to discover the island's wildlife, with frequent sightings of flocks of Red-legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa), raptors such as the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo harterti) and the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canarienses), and colorful House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).
At Pico Castelo you will find the statue honoring António Schiappa de Azevedo, a great promoter of Porto Santo's reforestation.
After climbing to Pico Castelo, the trail will end at Miradouro do Canhão, a privileged location to contemplate Vila Baleira city and glimpse the Desertas and Madeira islands on the horizon.
The name designation Pico Castelo dates back to the 15th century and came from the fact that there was a fortress where the island's population would take refuge when attacked by French pirates and Algerians.