Fontainhas and the ridge to Cruzinha

Fontainhas sits on a knife of land above the north coast. Painted houses, a view, almost no café. Walk from Ponta do Sol in under an hour. The road that used to end at Cruzinha is for people who like exposure and a 4x4.

What you actually do

Arrive early, walk the ridge, buy grogue from whoever is on a doorstep, walk back. Do not expect English menus. Cruzinha is a fishing strip; the drive is the experience.

Honest notes

Swell and rockfall close bits of the track. If a local says not today, believe them. Porto Novo is only useful for the ferry.