Pico da Vara, Mountain peak in São Miguel Island, Portugal.
Pico da Vara stands as the highest point on São Miguel Island at 1,103 meters elevation, surrounded by protected laurissilva forests and endemic vegetation within the Serra da Tronqueira mountain range.
The mountain served as a strategic location for coal extraction and cattle trading routes between Nordeste and Povoação municipalities during past centuries, with ancient paths now converted into recreational hiking trails.
Local traditions recognize Pico da Vara as a sacred natural landmark where indigenous legends speak of ancient tribes, while modern conservation efforts reflect the Azorean commitment to preserving endemic species and ecosystems.
Visitors must obtain special permits through online applications before accessing the 7-kilometer difficult hiking trail that begins near the Forest Guard House of Atalhada Reserve and requires approximately three hours to complete.
The peak serves as the exclusive habitat for the critically endangered Azores bullfinch, making it one of the few places on Earth where this endemic bird species can be observed in its natural environment.
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