Nature Reserve & Recreation Park of São Jorge
On the highest point of Macelas (Santo Amaro parish, Velas district) there is a viewpoint offering a magnificent sight of the sea channels connecting the islands of Pico, Faial and São Jorge. The six hectares are almost entirely surrounded by Japanese red cedars, which protect large areas of grassland for outdoor activities.
Recently concluded, the Reserve has picnic areas and leisure equipment for children, as well as short walking trails which allow visitors to get to know several exotic and endemic species.
Permanent
Serviço Florestal de São Jorge
Av. do Livramento, 5
9800 – 522 Velas
Tel.: 295 403 740
email: [email protected]
How to get there:
To Access the Reserve, take the Estrada Regional no. 1 in the Velas/Calheta direction. At Santo Amaro, turn left and then take the forest path of Santo Amaro, which leads to the Reserve.
Infrastructures in Nature Reserve & Recreation Park:
 |  |  |  |
| Parking | Endemic Species | Children´s Playground | Viewing Point |
 |  | ||
| Picnic Area | Stone Garden |
At the northwest tip of the island (Rosais parish, Velas district) lies the Nature Reserve & Recreation Park of Sete Fontes. It was in the 1960s that this former waste land was afforested; in the following decade the forest nursery and the recreation area were created; the unusual design of the park comprises streets and paths leading to small ponds.
Visitors have the privilege of being close to Nature and enjoy the outdoors tranquillity of this Reserve. The most important points are the Pico da Velha and the Ferrã Afonso panoramic viewpoints, which offer breathtaking views of the neighbouring islands and of the north coast of São Jorge. Every year the inhabitants of the Rosais parish celebrate one of the Festival days of Nossa Senhora do Rosário at the Reserve.
Permanente
Serviço Florestal de São Jorge
Av. do Livramento, 5
9800 – 522 Velas
Tel.: 295 403 740
email: [email protected]
How to get there:
To access the Reserve take the Estrada Regional no. 1 in the Vela/Rosais direction and then turn into Sete Fontes; you can also take the Terreiro da Macela/Sete Fontes forest path beginning at the place of Beira.
Infrastructures in Nature Reserve & Recreation Park:
|  |  |  |
| Parking | WC’s | Park Utility Building | Hermitage |
 |  | | |
| Deer Enclosure | Nurseries | Children´s Playground | Viewing Point |
| |||
| Picnic Area |
It is located at the Ribeira Seca parish, district of Calheta. A very old path generally tread by ox-drawn carts and a magnificent group of old mills fed by the several streams that cross the Reserve are living witnesses of the island’s old rural landscape.
The flora is varied and different botanical species share the same grounds, as the Norfolk Island pine tree, pine trees in general, oaks, cypresses and tree ferns, together with smaller plants and numerous Azorean flora species.
Permanent
Serviço Florestal de São Jorge
Av. do Livramento, 5
9800 – 522 Velas
Tel.: 295 403 740
email: [email protected]
How to get there:
To access the Reserve take the Estrada Regional no. 2 in the Calheta/Topo direction, a little bit after Silveira, where you can find the forest path that leads to the Reserve.
Infrastructures in Nature Reserve & Recreation Park:
| | | |
| Parking | WC’s | Endemic Species | Deer Enclosure |
| |  | |
| Children´s Playground | Picnic Area | Lawn |