Most visitors to the Gorreana Tea Plantation head straight for the popular PRC28 SMI trail, which circles the expansive tea fields (and which we covered in a previous post). However, if you’re looking for a quieter, more intimate journey, there’s an alternative: the Municipal Trail TM05 – Caminho da Água da Gorreana.
This easy, one-hour loop leads to a fascinating piece of Azorean industrial history—the old water mill.
Trail Details: A Quick Escape
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Trail Name: TM05 – Caminho da Água da Gorreana
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Difficulty: Easy
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Duration: About 1 hour
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Starting Point: Gorreana Tea Plantation
I chose this trail knowing we had heavy rain forecast for the afternoon. Its manageable length makes it a great option for a quick dose of nature.
The walk starts by following a path to a small retaining pond, then along an irrigation canal that runs parallel to the tea fields. Soon, the path goes under a small bridge, requiring a brief scramble across rocks in the stream to reach the other side.
Waterfalls and Solitude
It was shortly after crossing the stream that I came across the first beautiful waterfall. The best part of this trail, however, was the silence. I didn’t see any other hikers, which is a rare treat at such a popular destination. It’s incredibly refreshing to be immersed in nature without the noise and crowds of tourists.
The path eventually leads directly to the core of the trail’s history: the old, abandoned water mill house.
The Secret to Gorreana’s Survival
This mill wasn’t just for grinding corn; it was also used to generate electricity for the factory. This detail explains why Gorreana is the sole surviving tea plantation on the island. By using this mill, they generated their own free power instead of paying for gas to run the factory—a significant economic advantage that allowed them to outlast all their competitors.
The trail continues uphill from the mill, crossing a well-maintained wooden walkway that leads to another amazing waterfall, providing a final picturesque view before the loop concludes.
Ending the Trip
I wrapped up the hike back at the Gorreana gift shop. I took advantage of the free Christmas tea sample they were offering and ended up buying a package of their green tea and some delicious Christmas cookies to take home.
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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.
