Cabeço dos Trinta

Cabeço dos Trinta is an old basaltic volcanic cone in the parish of Capelo, in the municipality of Horta, on the island of Faial in the Azores. It stands at roughly 755 metres above sea level and is one of the points from which the popular levada trail begins. Here is what to know before you go.

What is Cabeço dos Trinta?

The hill belongs to the Capelo Volcanic Complex, a line of ash and cinder cones stretching between the Caldeira do Faial to the east and the Capelinhos volcano to the west. Along the same alignment you will find Cabeço Gordo, Cabeço Verde, Pingarotes, the Cabeço do Fogo volcano and Cabeço do Canto. Together they tell the volcanic story of the western part of the island.

What can you see here?

You can go inside the formation through a tunnel and reach the middle of the crater. It is now covered by natural vegetation, including heather and holly. It is a quiet spot for anyone who wants to see Azorean nature up close rather than from a viewpoint alone.

How do you get to Cabeço dos Trinta?

The usual way is the PR3FAI trail, known as the Levada. It follows an old water channel built in the 1960s to feed the island's hydroelectric station. Sources give slightly different figures, from about 7.6 to 7.7 km one way, with an average time of around 2.5 hours. If you return the same way, the full out-and-back is roughly 14 to 15 km and about 4 hours of walking. The trail is rated moderate.

You can start near Cabeço dos Trinta in Capelo and finish in Cedros, or do it the other way round. Most hikers begin at Cabeço dos Trinta and walk north toward Cedros.

What to expect on the trail

The path runs through forest, tunnels and mossy stretches, with the steady sound of running water beside you. It is used for hiking, walking, nature trips and birdwatching, with views over the volcanic landscape of the Capelo complex.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Cabeço dos Trinta? In the parish of Capelo, municipality of Horta, on Faial in the Azores.

How high is it? About 755 metres above sea level.

Can you enter the crater? Yes, a tunnel leads to the middle of the crater. The interior is covered with natural vegetation such as heather and holly.

How long does the Levada trail take? About 2.5 hours one way and around 4 hours out and back. It is a moderate route.

Where should I start? Most people start at Cabeço dos Trinta and walk north to Cedros, though the opposite direction works too.