The setting sun ignites the sky in fiery hues as I dash towards a cool rock formation jutting out from the coast, the one I scoped earlier from Pico da Coroa and Pico do Arieiro. Penha d’Águia towers ahead, its impressive cliffs guarding all sides. But thanks to Ben’s tip on the Peakbager app, I know a hidden trail exists. I park in Maçapez village and navigate the narrow streets. A tiny path, easily mistaken for overgrown private property without GPS, leads me towards a water system.
A hundred meters in, an arrow points the way to the summit. The trail’s mostly easy going from here, with a few steeper sections that require some light scrambling. It’s manageable, but after climbing about 200 vertical meters, a worry creeps in: where’s the summit? Turns out, it’s my mistake. I thought it was just a couple hundred meters, but somehow missed that it’s a full 350-meter climb. Now, the sun dips below the horizon as I push upwards – an exciting race against the fading light!
I reach the summit just as the sun dips below the horizon. A sturdy concrete trig pillar marks the peak, and the island sprawls out before me in a breathtaking vista. I turn around and begin my descent. There’s still enough light to get back to my car before darkness falls completely. And I make it! Just in time.
Another P300 peak bagged today! Time to refuel with a well-deserved dinner, but hold on! As I head back to the hotel, Pico do Facho beckons in the distance. I rather skip soup, but i wll bag this small peak.
