PR8 SMI - Faial da Terra to Salto do Prego

The PR8 SMI trail starts in the village of Faial da Terra on São Miguel's southeast coast, reached by bus from Ponta Delgada or Povoação, or by car with parking near the village church. No permit is required. The out-and-back route covers 7 km with about 250 m of cumulative elevation gain, rated easy to moderate, following the Ribeira Faial da Terra streambed upstream through dense laurel forest (laurissilva). The path is mostly dirt and stone, crossing the stream several times on small footbridges and stepping stones that can be slippery when wet; exposure is minimal since the route stays low in the valley, and tree cover provides shade for most of the walk. The stream drains the interior highlands around Serra da Tronqueira, and the trail forms part of São Miguel's official waymarked path network, marked with red-and-yellow PR blazes. The principal landmark is the twin-drop waterfall of Salto do Prego, which falls into a natural swimming pool at the trail's end, a popular spot to cool off before the return walk. A smaller cascade roughly two-thirds of the way in makes a reasonable turn-around point for a shorter 5 km round trip. There are no refuge huts, but the village of Faial da Terra has a café and public restrooms near the trailhead. The final approach to the waterfall involves a short climb over wet rock, requiring sturdy footwear. This trail is one of the most family-friendly waterfall walks in the Azores, combining forest scenery with a rewarding swim at the end.