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…
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!
Reaching this arrow marker, I ditch the path for the bushes.
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.
Download the .gpx file for your GPS device or mapping app
