Reopening of Salto do Cabrito hiking trail represents “an exemplary collaboration between public entities and the tourism sector” - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, through the Regional Directorate for Tourism, announced that the PRC29SMI hiking trail - Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande - Salto do Cabrito is once again open to the public, following the completion of renovation work carried out after its precautionary closure at the end of September 2025, due to a landslide in the Salto do Cabrito area.

Considering the type of incident and the geological sensitivity of the area, the entire process was conducted in phases, based on successive technical assessments, ensuring that the trail was only reopened once the appropriate safety conditions had been met.

The solution adopted was the result of institutional coordination between the Regional Directorate for Tourism, the Ribeira Grande Municipal Council and the company EDA – Eletricidade dos Açores, leading to the definition of an intervention tailored to the identified risks.

As part of this project, the route of the trail in the Salto do Cabrito area was altered due to the instability of the embankment; a new section, approximately 400 metres long, was incorporated along the old access path to the Fajã do Redondo hydroelectric plant, thereby ensuring improved safety conditions.

The work on the ground was carried out by teams from the Regional Directorate for Tourism and the Ribeira Grande Municipal Council, with the voluntary collaboration of tourism entertainment companies, namely: Adventure Azores Islands, Azorean Active Blueberry, Basaltic Azores Adventures, Fun Activities Azores Adventures, Go Wild Azores Adventures, Melo Travel and Picos de Aventura, involving a total of 40 participants. 

This initiative highlights the importance of cooperation among public bodies and stakeholders in the sector, establishing itself as a model to be replicated in future projects within the regional network of hiking trails. 

It is important to emphasise that the approved hiking trails involve the development of pre-existing paths and access routes for tourism, promoting their use in an organised and safe manner in areas that maintain their own natural dynamics.

With this reopening, the Azores are reinforcing their commitment to improving the quality of tourism, enhancing natural heritage and promoting a safe, sustainable and high-quality experience.

The Regional Directorate for Tourism will continue to monitor the conditions of use of this and other trails, promoting active, preventive and coordinated management to ensure the safety of users.