ANGRA RUNNING GUIDE Running in Angra do Heroísmo, breathing history, savoring landscapes and feeling nature.
RUNNING GUIDE Running in the city, breathing nature, history and culture. This guide presents the best courses for those who, even on vacation, like to go running. We know that running is important and it is, for many, part of their routine, including those who visit us.
We are certain that you will be impressed by the variety and by the quality of our running paths. More than a path to run, you will get a glimpse of our history, landscapes and even flavors. Here, we are presenting in detail four excellent running paths, each of which focuses on something different. READY, SET... GO!
ABOUT YOUR GEAR Get ready to run, with pleasure, comfort and safety At night you are advised to wear a vest wit reflecting bands and a flashlight. Wear a t-shirt, pants or shorts, socks and light and comfortable running shoes. For longer races or trailing, always wear a safety vest, for a greater ability to carry water, supplements, gaiters and a first aid kit.
For colder periods of time, of rain or wind, wear a light coat, impermeable, but breathable. Do not forget your water and food supplements to reset your energy during the race.
ABOUT THE HERITAGE Running in the city, breathing nature, history and culture. In December of 1983, UNESCO has inscribed the center of the city of Angra do Heroísmo in its World Heritage list, as a set having an exceptional universal value. Angra, the «transatlantic city» has unique characteristics due to its history and its participation as a mandatory stopping point of all vessels of the great maritime routes of the sailing period, and thus remaining as a witness to a certain period of the history of the world. This period has left an urban trait, bold and filled with wisdom, as well as an enormous amount of monuments which, to this day, confers to it some truly exceptional characteristics. But the richness of Angra do Heroísmo goes far beyond its built Heritage. Angra, known for its rich historic Heritage, also houses within itself, a wide natural Heritage. From the caves to the treks, from the lagoons to the viewpoints, Angra shows herself in a unique way in its diversity, shown by the underwater Heritage of the Angra Bay, in the magnificence of the volcano craters of Monte Brasil and the Santa Bárbara Mountains, for the existence of a flora which time and geography have turned into something quite unique.
f s As seen from the heights of the Alto da Memória or the viewpoint of Monte Brasil, Angra do Heroísmo historic center stretches out in a delicate lacework of streets, alleys, churches, palaces, manors, monuments, squares, gardens and parks, which were so wisely preserved and kept by several generations until this day.
1, 2, 3, 4 COURSES... HISTORIC CENTER Four courses, four sensations. 02 ANGRA BAY 01
MONTE BRASIL 03 04... AND MUSIC. At the same time you can enjoy each course at the rhythm of an exclusive selection of songs, prepared by DJ Rod d Ávila. Download this musical array and learn more in: ROCHA DO CHAMBRE & MISTÉRIOS NEGROS
1 ANGRA BAY Ideal to start your day... Distance ~ 2,2km (inbound) Recommended period ~ Mornings Course along the Angra Bay, between Porto das Pipas and Cais da Figueirinha, having a possibility to watch the City from the perspective of Angra Marina pontoon. Part of this course is made along a trek. This running path is advised for those who wish to make their simple morning run for their physical fitness. In accordance to your fitness level, you can cover 2,2km segments more appropriate to you.
RUA DO CAS Always use light and comfortable clothes. Feel the breeze of an historic Bay. Take an extra detour to the Relvão City Park, to prolong the distance and take a glimpse of a new view of the City of Angra in the slope of the wall of the Fortress of São João Batista. N RUA RECREIO DOS ARTISTAS RUA DOS CANOS VERDES RUA DA ROSA RUA DE JESUS OS CAVALOS RUA DA ROCHA LINAS UA DA PALHA RUA DO FALEIRO RUA DOS I RUA DO ARMADOR RUA DO CARDOSO RUA DE JACINTO CÂNDIDO PRAINHA RUA CIPRIÃO DE FIGUEIREDO UA DA BOA NOVA PORTAS DA CIDADE EST. PERO DE BARCELOS RELVÃO PORTO DAS PIPAS PONTÃO CAIS DA FIGUEIRINHA
2 HISTORIC CENTER The perfect place to get to know the City. Distance ~ 6,5km Recommended period ~ Mornings or late afternoons before closing of Jardim Duque da Terceira. Starting in Praça Velha, walk along the inside of Jardim Duque da Terceira until Memória, going down to Angra City s Museum, Solar dos Remédios and Corpo Santo. Returning to Praça Velha, the City Hall Building, going along Prior do Crato you will pass the Palácio dos Capitães Generais, Teatro Angrense e Praça do Mercado. Go up Alto das Covas, go around Convento de São Gonçalo, walk down Rua da Sé next to the Cathedral, walk along Rua Carreira dos Cavalos and keep your course, go down under Jardim dos Corte Reais, with a view under Angra Bay at your left. Follow along Rua dos Canos Verdes until Império do Divino Espírito Santo dos Quatro Cantos and turn left. Enter Relvão, enjoy the view over the city and go down the Bay Walls, walking along them, until Porto das Pipas along the inside of the Marina. Go up to Corpo Santo, passing the viewpoint and going down into the city by the alley, until you reach the Cais da Alfândega, going along some of the main streets in the city, until you reach Rua da Palha, coming back to your starting point.
RUA DO BARCELOS Do not forget to bring with you water and food supplements. This is a course with a variety of ups and downs. You have the possibility to adapt this course into a night race. Take a glimpse of the city in its late night splendor. N RUA DE SÃO PEDRO CANADA NOVA RUA PADRE MÁXIMO RUA DA QUEIMADA RUA DO PAU SÃO RUA DO REGO RUA DO PALÁCIO PRIOR DO CRATO PRAÇA DO MERCADO TEATRO ANGRENSE MEMÓRIA JARDIM DUQUE DA TERCEIRA MUSEU DE ANGRA LADEIRA DE SÃO FRANCISCO On workdays, and some periods of the weekend, you can pair up your race with a visit to the inside of some of the different monuments of this City which belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. RUA DO GUARITA N-CEL. JOSÉ AGOSTINHO ALTO DAS COVAS RUA DA SÉ PRAÇA VELHA PAÇOS DO CONCELHO RUA DO GALO BAILÃO As a complement to the city route, before you enter the Relvão City Park, there is the option to run the course of Monte Brasil, as you return continue your initial course. RUA TOMÉ BELO DE CASTRO RUA GONÇALO VELHO CABRAL RELVÃO RUA RECREIO DOS ARTISTAS RUA DA BOA NOVA RUA DOS CANOS VERDES RUA DA ROSA S. GONÇALO IMPÉRIO QUATRO CANTOS RUA DE JESUS RUA CARREIRA DOS CAVALOS RUA DA ROCHA RUA DO SALINAS RUA DA PALHA JARDIM CORTE REAIS RUA DE SÃO JOÃO RUA DIREITA RUA SANTO ESPÍRITO RUA DO MORRÃO RUA DO FALEIRO SOLAR DOS REMÉDIOS RUA DOS ITALIANOS RUA DO ARMADOR RUA DO CARDOSO EST. PERO DE BARCELOS CAIS DA ALFÂNDEGA PORTO DAS PIPAS PONTÃO RUA DE JACINTO CÂNDIDO RUA CIPRIÃO DE FIGUEIREDO RUA DO CASTELINHO AV. INFANTE DOM HENRIQU ACCESS ACESSO AO TO MONTE BRASIL CAIS DA FIGUEIRINHA
3 MONTE BRASIL Ideal for those who love the roughness of nature. Distance ~ 7,5km A course in a rural environment, in a space packed with history, in the middle of the city of Angra do Heroísmo. Starting at the entry of Relvão City Park, this course covers PRC4TER trek and is duly signaled. Take a breath of fresh air with the city and the sea in the background. The access hours to Monte Brasil are limited to daytime. At the guardhouse, as you enter the Fortress, you can check up the closing hours. Recommended period ~ Morning ou afternoon
You can complement the running pat in Monte Brasil with the city course in the Historic Center. The main entrance to the Relvão City Park is convergent to both proposed traits. N Gear yourself up for faulty terrain, with land and vegetation. Keep in mind closing hours before you enter Monte Brasil. With the Angra Night Runners you will be able to have the possibility of running alternative courses at night time.
4 ROCHA DO CHAMBRE & MISTÉRIOS NEGROS Ideal for those who are nature lovers. Recommended period ~ Whole day Rocha do Chambre ~ 11km Mistérios Negros ~ 5km Connection ~ 2km A course in a natural environment, in the heart of the Island of Terceira. Part of it is shared with the parish of Biscoitos, of the municipality of Praia da Vitória. Starting in the Tentadero Florestal, we follow the earthen path towards the north; at the end of this path go around the agricultural land to your left. There you will find the trail marks of the PRC6TER trek. Follow it to its extent, until you reach the starting point, Tentadero Florestal. As you return, follow the path on your left. When you reach the road, turn left again and cross the road. Go along the first earthen path on your left. As you reach the tar road, turn right going along the course until Lagoa do Negro and Gruta do Natal. There you will find the signs of the PRC1TER trek, corresponding to the Mistérios Negros area. Follow the signs of the trail until the starting point. Go back to Tentadero Florestal following the same path. This route proposal allows you to make a shorter course, by following only Mistérios Negros (5km) segment; an average length course, as you choose Rocha do Chambre (11km) segment; or a course for the more adventurous, made up of both segments, departing from and arriving at Tentadero Florestal, with a total extent of 20 km. co co th Ca ha to En Ca G th ab ca ar
N You can complement the course following the road towards Cabrito. You will have the opportunity to visit Furnas do Enxofre and Algar do Carvão and Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, there you will be able to see the wild cattle grazing in the area. Wear light equipment, adequate to rocky ground with thick vegetation. TENTADERO DA FLORESTAL
EXPERIENCES WITH LOCAL GROUPS Running with a group is also a pleasurable experience. Angra Running Aside from the formal athletic teams, you can also join informal physical fitness groups which will regularly join to trek along the Angra courses. There are groups more geared to trekking and others for running. In general, different options with different levels of activity can be found.
The Pleasure of Running in Terceira Island An informal group of runners who set up timetables and treks for either walking or running through their Facebook page. This group is geared towards trail running. Angra Night Runners This is a project created by the Parish Councel of Sé. They gather once a month, in the evening, to walk along the streets of the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo. Angra By Night Bravos Half Marathon A running event organized by the Municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and the Terceira Island Athletic Association, which has held its 25 th edition in 2015. It takes place on May 1 st, between Serreta and São Mateus da Calheta, Nightly running event, which occurs during the month of July, in the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo. It s a path that crosses nature, towards Monte Brasil and Jardim Duque da Terceira, with its main streets and insides of historic monuments of this World Heritage city, among many other places of reference in the city. It will turn into an unique experience of [re] visiting, in a context both sportive and nightlife, the different historic reference places which Angra offers you.
RECHARGING YOUR ENERGIES After running these courses in this exceptional city, you will need to recharge your energies and experiment the diversity in food that Angra do Heroísmo has to offer you. There is an array of unique food which mirror in the years of history marked by the influences of the inhabitants of different regions and by visitors and dealers who crossed the Atlantic. Here are some examples of our dishes. Fish It is impossible to visit the archipelago without having a taste of its fish. Wreckfish, Caneco or Bluemouth rockfish grilled, forkbeard fillets, octopus and fish stew, are some of the countless dishes Angra has to offer you. And, as an entry dish, there is nothing better than having a taste from the best shellfish in the Azores, our delicious limpets and barnacles, and you must not forget our famous Azorean splipper lobster.
Healthy The quality of Azorean products, sustained by a quality service, makes available an unique experience. The great variety of fresh fish, pork and cow meat, vegetables and fruits and all the natural ingredients which make a difference for their authenticity, freshness and flavor, also known for their true gastronomical treasure. Alcatra Our most famous recipe it s Alcatra (regional beef roast), which, can also be prepared with fish, lamb or rabbit. Alcatra is placed inside a clay pot made locally, in which, after it has been greased with lard, the meat is placed in large chunks, covered with wine and seasoned with a variety of spices. Desserts Ever since the sugar, the cinnamon and the spices sent over from the Far East have been mastered, the desserts made in Terceira have everything in them to pleasure your heart. With the softness of alfenim, and the intensity of camafeus e cornocópias, the highest point of Angra s hospitality is represented by Dona Amélia. Cheeses and Sausages A visit to the archipelago will not be complete without a taste of the Azorean cheese or sausages, but for an even more authentic island experience, you have to taste the local black pudding with corn bread and regional wine.
SMART RUNNING? For those who love both running and technology. GPSies GPSies will allow you to visualize and download courses which have been previously introduced by other app users and to introduce them into your own GPS device. GPSies is also available as an app for your mobile device. This app is geared towards running, trekking, bicycling, BTT, car and motocross courses. gpsies.com FITMAP by health test FITMAP sees itself as a web platform, belonging to the DECO universe. This tool is able to identify a series of training sites which are both in open air and free of charge to use, as well as to divulge articles, tests and events connected to physical activity and leisure in the widest range of sports activities, such as running, trekking, cycling, nautical sports, team sports, among many others. fitmap.pt
What do you like the most about running in Nature? What is it like to run in Monte Brasil and in te centre Terceira Island? t Running in Nature allows me to go along places which are calmer and, at the same time, more physically challenging. Running in Monte Brasil is something quite extraordinary. I am able to, in a single place, be in contact with nature and trails, and, at the same time, to overlook the sea and a fantastic city! On the interior, I am able to take a look at the Island with different eyes, there s an unmistakable green landscape, unique trails which make me want to stop in time just to contemplate them! Is there anything better then us and Nature? I don t think so! Ana Oliveira
What made you start running and what do you love the most about it? It all started in 2013. At the age of 36, I applied for a professional expertise and had the need to start running 2 to 3 times a week, because one of the admittance tests is the Cooper test. I felt a bit of difficulty and began increasing the distances and training sessions, since my course s physical base is running. It was from this that I got my running taste. Nowadays I dedicate more of my time to running, using new methods and techniques of training, in order to constantly improve myself. What I like the best is the sense of freedom and overcoming that running gives me physical and mental well-being! Running is healthy! Carlos Ferreira
Which is your favorite course to run in Angra do Heroísmo? After having already competed and ran in several countries, I understood that running is a unique experience! To maintain my physical fitness nowadays, as the sportsman that I have always been, I chose to run along the streets of Angra. The urban environment and the landscapes which surround us here in the Azores are quite a unique experience! The variety of floors, the smell of nature and the diversity of climates refresh both your body and mind. It is always a way to recharge your energies! Paulo Massinga
What do you love the most about running in the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo? I love the contrast between the landscapes, the floors, and the sloping. The Historic Center is a real roundabout, with streets going up and down. I run in the pavement, next to historic and colorful buildings. And then I move onto the Marina, which has a more regular floor. Here we have the sea as background and its breeze motivates us at each and every minute of the race! Pedro Bartolomeu
What do you enjoy the most about running in the evening? I like watching the nightly landscape, the buildings surrounded by light and feeling the streets calm and silent! Vitória Rodrigues