The old bridle path from Faja d'Agua to the inland village of Nossa Senhora do Monte is the classic Brava hike. It climbs steeply out of the bay through a tight valley, then opens onto the high green plateau in the centre of the island. Two and a half hours up, less coming down.
The route is cobbled in places — these stones were laid in the nineteenth century and were the only way to move goods between the coast and the interior before the road was built. At the top, the small whitewashed church of Nossa Senhora do Monte sits at 700 metres with views across to Fogo when the cloud lifts. Carry water; there is none on the route.