Natural Guide

Where tranquility and beauty have no limits
e
Natural Heritage Tourist Guide
e porto santo
INDEX
Geographical Location
3
Geo Monuments
5
Viewpoints15
Gardens21
Leisure Activities25
Natural Heritage [map]
33
Edition Câmara Municipal do Porto Santo - Gabinete da Cultura
Title Natural Heritage Tourist Guide of Porto Santo
Authors Filipa Leão e Maria Raquel Ferreira
Photography Pedro Menezes,Page 26 Photo courtesy Alcides Correia
& Page 29 Photo courtesy João Palhas
Design Grafic - - Montagem Electrónica - Impressão - Acabamento
OLC Comunicações, Lda - Teresa Camacho
Parque Empresarial Zona Oeste- 9304-006 Câmara de Lobos
Tel.: 291 911 300 | Fax: 291 911 309 | E.mail: [email protected]
Edition xxx ex..
natural e Geografic
and
Geological
Setting
Porto Santo is situated right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and, together
with Madeira island, Desertas and Selvagens islands, forming the Madeira archipelapo.
This archipelago belongs to the biogeographical region of Macaronesia, which
also includes Açores, the Canarian islands and Cabo Verde.
In terms of distance, Porto Santo is 700km from Africa, 900km from Lisbon and
only 40km from Madeira island.
With 42km2 of area, 12 km length and 6 km maximum width, the Porto Santo
island represents 8,5% of the total amount of Madeira archipelago and presents
a low ground reaching the highest point at 517 meters with Pico do Facho.
The coastland with an extension of 41 km, is rocky with sharp edges in the
north, west and east, and in the south has continuous low grounds with an
extensive sandy beach.
The island is surrounded by a group of 6 small islands and underwater rockmarks: Ilhéu de Baixo (or da Cal), Ilhéu de Cima (or do Farol dos Dragoeiros), Ilhéu
de Ferro, Ilhéu da Fonte da Areia, Ilhéu das Cenouras, Ilhéu de Fora, Baixa do
Meio e Baixa dos Barbeiros.
The island of Porto Santo, geologically is very ancient (around 14 million years)
compared to Madeira (around 7 million years), and presents a complex and
strong eroded structure that resulted in the exposure of rocks that witnessed
the several distinct formation phases: inferior unity (underwater mountain phase), superior unit (emerged island phase) and quaternary deposits, such as
marine terraces, dunes, sand beaches, etc.
The islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are a product of volcanic edifications that
were installed in the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, in sector W from the African
Plate, while this one was opening and extending since 200 millions ago.
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natural e GEO
MONUMENTS
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Miradouro Pico Ana Ferreira
natural e Pico de Ana Ferreira
Morenos
(Imóvel de Interesse Regional)
Ana Ferreira Peak is a relief produced by differential erosion due to the hardness of the mugearite rock that constitutes its core.
The prismatic or columnar disjunction found in Ana Ferreira peak is due to the slow cooling of magma inside
the chimney.
In the 70 th the rocks of this place where extracted for
construction.
This peak is a habitat for particular species of fauna and
flora.
The cliffs of the island have a large complex grid of magmatic rocks. The basalt and trachyte dykes exhibit prismatic disjunction, locally called “navalheira stone” and
they intersect each other in a sequence of magmatic
intrusions.
At Canaveira viewpoint the eolianitc rocks keep inside
fossils of terrestrial gastropods and root casts, from the
vegetation cover from 30,000 years ago.
e porto santo
Ilhéu da Cal
(Rede Natura 2000; Rede de Áreas Marinhas Protegidas do Porto Santo)
The Ilhéu de Baixo was separated from the main island
because of erosion phenomena, about 10-12 thousand
years.
There are extensive galleries, where limestone, with
approximately 15 million years, was extracted for the
manufacture of lime.
natural e Zimbralinho
At Zimbralinho we find lithologies of submarine volcanic
sequences. Pillow lava is a lava flow typical of submarine volcanic eruptions, corresponding to the first stage of
geological evolution. They can be seen at the western
side of the bay.
Ilhéu de Cima
(Rede Natura 2000; Rede de Áreas Marinhas Protegidas do Porto Santo)
The Ilhéu de Cima have in the western cliffs a particular
structure locally referred to as the “Sun Stone” because
of the radial prismatic disjunction it presents, whose alignment defines the direction of cooling, in this case from
the outside to the inside of the lava flow.
On the Eastern tip of the North-Western part of the isle,
the “Cabeço das Laranjas” presents a spectacular outcrop
of round laminar fossils produced by red algae (rhodoliths) locally known as “oranges”, with Miocene age (15
to 14 million years).
At the top of the islet an environmental interpretation
trail shows the natural richness of this place.
(It requires prior authorization from the Parque Natural
da Madeira, an organization responsible for the protection of the islets in Porto Santo).
e porto santo
Serra de Fora
Serra de Dentro
The eolianites of the coastal area of Serra de Fora are
designated as Eolianitic Formation and cover about 1 / 3
of Porto Santo island. This formation from the Quaternary age show’s a yellow-white in color and is composed
mainly of shell fragments of marine microorganisms,
molluscs and calcareous algae.
The presence of a lime kiln confirms the lime industry
activity in this area.
The bentonitic clay deposits, locally known as “salão”,
are an alteration product of the Old Complex of the island whose age dates from 10-16 million years ago. A
net of later intruded dykes preserved this clay unit from
erosion.
Porto das Salemas
The cliffs of the N and NW coast present volcanic pyroclastic formations represented by tuffs and breccias and
scoria, date from the Lower Miocene. The tuffs are cut by
a significant network of dykes, contributing to the growth of the island.
natural e 10
Pico Branco
Trachyte and rhyolite volcanic rocks, of light-gray color, can be
found in the NE of the island. On
the White Peak we can find a huge
prismatic disjunction, in which the
path Pico Branco-Terra Chã was
carved. The spectacular North slopes, date back to a time when vegetation was exuberant.
The area of Pico Branco and Terra
Chã is part of the European Network of Sites of Community Interest - Natura 2000, Habitats Directive, because of its endemic flora
and fauna (terrestrial molluscs, i.e.
snails).
11 e porto santo
Fonte da Areia
In this geosite large accumulations of biogenic carbonate
sand belonging to the same Eolianitic Formation as in
Serra de Fora have hardened into eolianites. Eolianites
are the legacy of the last glaciation period, which occurred between 10 and 11 thousand years ago.
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Pico do Castelo
This ancient volcanic chimney left exposed through some
erosive phenomenon, a dome of trachytic nature and
with an approximate age and with an approximate age
of 13,8 million years.
This peak was a strategic point in the past, and still is,
working as a view point over the central region, the beach on the southwest, Ilhéu de Baixo, and peasks Ana
Ferreira and Espigão.
Praia
The golden-yellow sands of Porto Santo are unique
among all other mainland and island Portuguese beaches since they result directly from erosion of the eolianites that outcrop on several sectors of the island.
13 e porto santo
Pico do Espigão
This mountain called Pico do Espigão displays a magnificent dyke of mugearite rock of intermediate composition (mugearite), with about 12.7 to 12.5 Ma, which cuts
outcrops of basaltic composition. Once served as a whale
watching viewing point.
Pico do Facho
Pico do Facho corresponds to the highest mountain of
the island, with 517 meters. Such as Pico Juliana, the
Pico do Facho belongs to the set of the latest volcanic
units, with about 10.6 Ma. Also displays a volcanic neck
formed by the solidification of volcanic material inside
the chimney. In here, the prismatic disjunction (or columnar) is less well defined than in Pico Juliana due probably
to a more rapid cooling.
Pico de Juliana
Geomedicina
Mountain named Pico de Juliana corresponds to one of
the latest volcanic units, with about 10.6 Ma. Displays a
volcanic neck formation, with a well-defined prismatic
disjunction (or columnar), formed by the solidification of
material inside the chimney.
Some of the existing geomaterials in the island are good
to be used for therapies. The special grain and seawater
are now more evident to the science and to the investigations due to the beneficial effects to the human health. These treatments take place in specialize units built
for that effect.
natural e 14
VIEWPOINTS
15 e porto santo
Miradouro da Portela
natural e 16
Miradouro da
Ponta da Canaveira
Miradouro da
Ponta da Calheta
Located on the west of the island, from this side we can
view the amazing rock from the north, as well the Ilheu
de Ferro, and further, Ilheu da Fonte da areia. Across the
island is Morenos, ideal place for picnics and other entertainments.
The Ponta da Calheta, right by the south end of the island, coincides, with the extreme west of the Porto Santo long beach and is separated by Ilheu Cal by a canal
with 400 meters width called Boqueirao de Baixo. From
here we can have a glimpse of Madeira rocky contours.
Miradouro da Portela
A small avenue with palm trees, take us to this viewpoint, located less than 2 km from the town center, with
an amazing view over the south coast of the Island, and
where you can see the full beach, the harbor and the
marines. Some windmills placed here in the past were
used to mow wheat and other cereals.
17 e porto santo
Miradouro das Flores
This west end of the islands gives us nearly full view of
Porto Santo island, as well a privileged view over Ilhéu
de Baixo, Ilhéu de Ferro, Ilhas Desertas and Madeira island. On top of this view point we can find a bust made
in honor of the madeirian painter Francisco Maya, who
dedicated, who dedicated most of his artistic work to
golden island.
Miradouro da
Fonte da Areia
This viewpoint offers a beautiful view over the north coast, the ocean and small island with the same name a
few meters away.
In the past, this so called sand fountain, had the tastier
water of the island, use for, inclusive, medicines and it
was, during many years, a placed visited mostly by the
islanders on a regular basis.
In here, the fossil cliff is magnificently carved by the
wind.
Miradouro do
Pico do Castelo
With 437 meters high, it gives us an overall view of this
island. To walk through these stone paths surrounded by
pine trees, take us to the top of this viewpoint where we
can find a bust of Schiappa de Azevedo, who strongly
contributed to the forestation of this peak.
natural e 18
Miradouro das Lombas
This viewpoint overlooking Porto Santo town gives us a
beautiful view over the beach, the presence of a wooden windmill is a touristic attraction.
19 e porto santo
Miradouro
Fonte de Areia
natural e 20
GARDENS
21 e porto santo
Quinta das Palmeiras
natural e 22
Quinta das Palmeiras
Mini-zoo and botanical garden it offers their visitors the
opportunity to view a wide number of ornithological
species. It occupies an area bigger than 5 thousand m2.
This luxuriant space contrasts with Porto Santo landscape, manly dry and wild.
Jardim da
Alameda Infante
D. Henrique
This garden offers a pleasant space for leisure, where the
palm trees stand out, and auracarias, dragon trees among
others. The youngsters can enjoy two playgrounds. Nearby, there’s a bust in honor of Christopher Columbus.
23 e porto santo
Jardim do
Largo do Pelourinho
Public garden near Largo do Pelourinho, where the charming palm trees stand out from the bunganvilas and
dragon trees.
Parque Florestal
dos Salões
This urban green area of public use, with a total area of
14780 square meters, is situated nearby the town center,
includes a plant nursery, a forest station and a barbecue
area.
natural e 24
Jardim do Tanque
This public garden, with a total area of 4200 square meters, situated near the Fonte do Tanque, it offers a leisure space with barbecue grills with wooden tables and
benches.
Jardim do
Passeio Marítimo
do Porto Santo
It starts by the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, this 300 meters walking path lead us to the, bathing area, between
the dunes, palm trees and pine trees.
LEISURE
ACTIVITIES
25 e porto santo
Mergulho
natural e 26
Hang Gliding
and Paragliding
Porto Santo characteristics turn to the flying sport an attraction to people with or without experience. Try these
sports and enjoy the amazing view over Porto Santo.
Jeep Safari
Venture out in the most hidden trails of the island on a
4x4 vehicle, enjoying unique and unforgettable view.
Horsing
Discover Porto Santo in a relaxing horse riding, where
the stunning sights are constant.
Cycling
and Motocycling
With little slopes, Porto Santo island is ideal to be explored by bikes where you can ride through her charming
places.
27 e porto santo
Tennis and Paddle
The climate condition in the island allows the practice of
these sports during the year, in one of the best structures
in the country.
Golfe
In Porto Santo, the emotion of a golf round is with the
north coast sea brise and with an amazing landscape of
Ana Ferreira peak, in a golf course that is at the same
level as one of the best in the world.
natural e 28
Windsurf
SUP
Surf
Vela
Kitesurf
For those who prefer to be
closer to the coast, these
are the several options that
you can find in the beach,
with excellent conditions
for the practice of canoeing,
sail, jet sky, windsurf, kite
surf, sup and others.
Geocaching
With GPS or Smartphone, go and discover the Island trough geocaching. This ludic activity allows understanding
the history, the culture and the singular natural beauty.
Diving
Porto Santo is sleeked by diving lovers for many years,
due to the sea water clarity, color and temperature and
the beautifull seabed. The ship “MADEIRENSE” was sunk
in 2000 where the practitioners of this sport enjoy to the
maximum.
29 e porto santo
Birdwatching
Get to know and observe on their habitat the birds that
rest in Porto Santo and other migratory species that pass
by.
Where to watch
IBA do Porto Santo Oeste – Sítio do Tanque, Ribeiro Salgado e Calheta;
IBA dos Ilhéus do Porto Santo - Ilhéu de Cima, Ilhéu
de Baixo, Ilhéu de Ferro.
(IBA - Important Bird Area; Área Importante para as
Aves)
natural e 30
Boatrips
The boat trips are a real pleasure from the beginning
to the end, allows visiting the main reference maritime
points, and offers the chance to view some cetaceans.
The transparency of the sea water and gorgeous cliffs
are guaranteed.
Walking tours
PS PR1 – Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã
This trail starts on the regional road 111 and finishes in
Terra Chã. It has an extension of 2,7 km (+2,7 km return)
taking 1h30m and covering altitudes that varies between 184 to 450 meters .
The area of Pico Branco and Terra Chã are included in
Rede Natura 2000 from DIRETIVA HABITATS, because of
the existence of flora and fauna endemism.
PS PR2 – Vereda do Pico do Castelo
This trails starts in Moledo near the regional road 111
(Porto Santo) and going up by the forest patn, there are
two options to take: north side (3,2 km and 1h30m) or
by the south of Pico do Facho (4,6km and 2h15m) with
amazing landscapes, the trail crosses the central zone of
the island, by the Pico do Facho base.
31 e porto santo
natural e 32
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35 e porto santo
Câmara Municipal
Gabinete da Cultura
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