Regional Government opens redevelopment work of pedestrian routes in Serra de Santa Bárbara, Terceira Island - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, and the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, opened on Thursday the redevelopment works of the pedestrian routes in Serra de Bárbara, Terceira Island.

Alonso Miguel explained that the Serra de Santa Bárbara mountain range is part of the Terceira Island Nature Park - "given its scenery and extraordinary natural heritage in terms of biodiversity and geodiversity. This justifies its classification not only as a Nature Reserve, including the Serra de Santa Bárbara Caldeira Integral Reserve, which has one of the best-preserved patches of natural vegetation in the Azores, but also as a Geosite within the Azores Geopark and as a Special Conservation Area within the Natura 2000 Network."

"These peculiarities and the magnificent landscape make the Serra de Santa Bárbara mountain range a unique site and one of the main recreational and tourist assets of Terceira Island and the Azores. It is also one of the most sought-after sites where visitor pressure is the greatest and, as such, it became essential to create conditions that could improve its use and organise visiting activities, thus safeguarding this site."

The government official stated that the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change aims to create better conditions for the environmental interpretation of this site, through an educational route, providing information on the spot about the geological and ecological richness of this protected area, through panels and tables. This will help tourists and visitors, and above all the Azoreans, to better know and understand the importance of preserving and protecting this fabulous natural heritage.

Alonso Miguel added that "thewalkways  and contemplation areas were built high up on stilts, reducing the surface area in contact with the soil and vegetation, and are, therefore, a structural solution that minimises the impact on their surroundings."

"This intervention represents an investment of about half a million euros by the Regional Government with Community co-funding. It will effectively improve the conditions for its use, interpretation and protection, further enhancing this excellent site for visitors and the Serra de Santa Bárbara Nature Reserve, which is a very important part of the fabulous natural heritage of Terceira Island," he said.

Alonso Miguel explained that "the intervention consisted of creating a set of infrastructures to support visitors, namely an arrival and parking area, from which visitors can access two wooden walkways, one to the south, 324 metres long, and the other to the north, 245 metres long, along which various contemplation areas and viewpoints are accessible. This ensures an orderly use of this protected area, allowing visitors to enjoy a privileged view over a large stretch of the south coast of Terceira as well as over sphagnum peat bogs and patches of Azorean laurel forest found inside the crater," he explained.

For Berta Cabral, "This is another work that highlights the importance of nature and adventure for the tourism sector in the Azores, which was recently classified by the 2023 World Travel Awards as the Best Adventure Destination in the World."

"The work that the Regional Government has been doing to place the region at the highest levels of tourism worldwide also involves the redevelopment of our natural heritage, which is unique in the world and provides those visiting us with unforgettable experiences," she said.

Berta Cabral emphasised the potential and importance of nature and adventure tourism for the Azores as a destination of choice, since it promotes "the creation of economic value and the well-being of the population."

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary stated that the PEMTA (Strategic and Marketing Plan for Tourism in the Azores) pinpoints nature tourism, from a sustainable perspective, as a top priority, where the active, adventure and sports component is of paramount importance to the tourist experience.

According to her, the Azores are an international success story in the area of sustainable tourism, in addition to "being a destination of excellence all year round that offers diverse and rich experiences."

Berta Cabral defended the fact that the mild climate of the Azores is very appealing to most tourism markets and that the natural wonders of the nine islands can be enjoyed at any time of year. They even have a special mysticism in the winter, especially the hiking trails.

"This investment has turned this visiting area into an important tourist promotion tool. Its potential should be harnessed and valued by all tourist agents, local authorities and entrepreneurs in the sector, just like the Paiva walkways, which have boosted tourism in Arouca," he said.

This intervention represented an investment by the Regional Government of about half a million Euros, with Community co-funding, which will improve the conditions for its use, interpretation and protection. It will further enhance this excellent site for visitors and the Serra de Santa Bárbara Nature Reserve.