Nature Reserve & Recreation Park of Faial
Halfway up the northeast coast of the Faial Caldera, about 500 meters above sea level, this 5-hectare forest comprises essentially conifers and can be accessed by the regional road no. 2 that crosses the Reserve. The Reserve stands out in the surrounding landscape, where pastureland divided by hydrangea and Japanese red cedar hedges are the main characteristic.
The reserve offers several leisure equipments for children, a picnic area and a former threshing-floor now used for musical performances and folklore dances. Annually, the neighbouring populations, especially from the parish of Salão, gather together at the Reserve and celebrate the São João (St. John’s feast). Those visiting Cabouco Velho can enjoy a day in full communion with Nature and the tranquillity of this Recreation Park.
Permanent
Serviço Florestal do Faial
Rua Comendador Ernesto Rebelo, 2
9900 – 112 Horta
Tel.: 292 200 190
email: [email protected]
Infrastrutures in Nature Reserve & Recreation Park:
 |  |  |  |
| Parking | WCs | Children´s Playground | Picnic Area |
It’s located at the former nursery of Falca, at the parish of Flamencos, 350 meters above sea level, and offers an area of 14 hectares. A long path with landscaped edges runs through the Reserve; here and there, glimpses of the Faial/Pico sea channel can be seen through the landscape.
Besides the Japanese red cedar, once existing in the nursery, several conifers, as the white cedar, the Azores juniper, the sequoia, and some hardwood trees form an interesting mosaic. Due to the fresh shadow of the trees and the recreational areas, the Reserve also offers the ideal setting for picnics and gatherings.
| From 1 June to 30 September | Monday to Friday |
| 08h30 AM to 4h30 PM | |
| Weekend and Holidays | |
| 09h00 AM to 9h00 PM |
| From 1 October to 31 May | Closed |
Serviço Florestal do Faial
Rua Comendador Ernesto Rebelo, 2
9900-112 Horta
Tel: 292 200 190
Email: [email protected]
GPS coordinates:
- 38º 33′ 43.694” N
- -28º 40′ 49.598” W
How to get there:
Take the Estrada Regional nr. 2, in the section between Largo Jaime de Melo (in Flamengos) and Ribeira do Cabo (in Capelo).
Infrastrutures in Nature Reserve & Recreation Park:
|  |  | |
| Parking | Forest Information Centres | Water Cistern | Picnic Area |
 | | ||
| Viewing Point | Children´s Playground |
The Nature Reserve & Recreation Park of Capelo is located in the namesake parish, close to the regional road no. 1. Its 80 hectares are implanted in an area known as ‘Mistério do Capelo’ (Mystery of Capelo), which is part of the Nature Park of the island of Faial, known for the variety of protected species. The woods comprise mainly pine trees and Morella faya; the pine is an exotic species, brought to the island for the production of wood, but the Morella faya is a species abundant in the native flora of the island and its name may have given origin to the name of the island.
Among the several leisure equipments present in the park, the Fallow deer exhibition and a typical house of the island of Faial (bearing traditional artefacts made of wood which were used in everyday life by the rural population) welcome visitors, who can also enjoy a large choice of walking trails, which will allow them full contact with biodiversity and the beauty of the surrounding Nature.
| From 1 June to 30 September | From Monday to Friday |
| 08h30 AM to 4h30 PM | |
| Weekend and Holidays | |
| 08h30 AM to 9h00 PM |
| From 1 to 31 August | From Monday to Friday |
| 08h30 AM to 9h00 PM |
| From 1 October to 31 May | From Monday to Friday |
| 08h30 AM to 4h30 PM |
Serviço Florestal do Faial
Rua Comendador Ernesto Rebelo, 2
9900 – 112 Horta
Tel.: 292 200 190
email: [email protected]
Infrastrutures in Nature Reserve & Recreation Park:
| |  |  |
| Parking | WCs | Rural Cottage | Deer Enclosure |
| | ||
| Children´s Playground | Picnic Area |