Calhau das Achadas da Cruz

The place

This is the coastal plain at the bottom of the Achadas da Cruz cable car — a small, quiet pebble beach backed by cultivated terraces, built to move farmers and their harvest, not tourists. Most people ride the five-minute cable car down; a hardier few take the Vereda do Calhau or Vereda da Ladeira footpaths instead. Either way it stays sparsely visited, because the descent itself is the deterrent.

When to come

Morning descent to have the fajã to yourself before midday arrivals; skip if the cable car is pausing for wind.

Worth knowing

• Cable car is the easy way down; the walking paths are steep and exposed
• No shops or facilities at the bottom — bring water
• Return trip depends on the same cable car still running that day
• Cash only at the teleférico ticket window