Poço do Bacalhau: the 90-Metre Waterfall Ending in a Natural Pool
After a full day walking between high-altitude lakes, there’s one destination that rewards any effort: a 90-metre waterfall that ends, right at the hiker’s feet, in an inviting natural pool.
Ninety metres of vertical drop
Located in the parish of Fajã Grande, Poço do Bacalhau waterfall plunges about 90 metres, forming a clear, refreshing pool at its base. It’s one of the most popular waterfalls on the entire island of Flores, sought out by tourists and locals alike.
The endpoint of the Lakes Trail
Poço do Bacalhau marks the end of the PR03 FLO route, which starts on the central plateau, next to Lagoa Negra — the deepest lake in the Azores, at 108 metres — and crosses the Seven Lakes area before descending to Fajã Grande. The full trail runs about 7.3 km, but direct access to the waterfall from the road is much shorter and well maintained.
A protected area
The waterfall sits within the Central Zone and West Coast Cliffs Protected Landscape Area, part of Flores Natural Park. The surrounding vegetation is largely endemic, notably the Azorean laurel (Laurus azorica).
From mountain to sea
After forming the natural pool, the water continues along a winding stream until it meets the Atlantic Ocean — a journey visible along the trail, which symbolically links the volcanic plateau to the coast.
Planning your visit
- Access: a well-marked, well-maintained trail from the road in Fajã Grande.
- Activities: swimming in the natural pool, especially popular on summer days.
- Environmental respect: the area is part of a Biosphere Reserve; stay on marked trails.
Best time to visit
Summer brings more inviting temperatures for a swim in the natural pool.
Nearby highlights
Rocha dos Bordões and the cluster of more than twenty waterfalls between Fajã Grande and Fajãzinha are a short distance away.
After Poço do Bacalhau, head to Fajãzinha to see Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, another of Flores’ great postcard views.
Learn more about canyoning in the Azores.
Featured image — Photo: Jules Verne Times Two / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
