White Lagoon

Category: Nature > Lagoon

District: Açores > Lajes das Flores > Fajã Grande

Location:

Lagoa Branca is situated within a caldera in the parish of Fajã Grande, municipality of Lajes das Flores, in the Azores archipelago. It is surrounded by gentle slopes covered with typical high-altitude low-lying vegetation, creating an open and wide space that extends to the caldera's ridges. The visual field includes the calm surface of the lagoon, the green rim of the crater, and a horizon of rolling hills, often framed by overcast skies or mist.

The location conveys a sense of natural isolation, with few visible constructions and no immediate urban traffic, which reinforces the perception of continuity between the lagoon and the surrounding landscape. The absence of nearby artificial elements allows for direct contemplation of the geological formation and the plateau's vegetation.

Origin and natural characteristics:

Lagoa Branca occupies the interior of a caldera of volcanic origin, a vestige of the geological activity of Flores Island. The depression seasonally retains water, creating a humid plain in its center, with edges where vegetation adapts to more compact soils and variations in humidity. The lagoon's surface can alter its appearance according to the climate, water levels, and light, presenting shades of grey, blue, or greenish hues.

This space serves as a nesting area for several bird species, benefiting from the relative tranquility and natural protection that the caldera offers. Passing fauna and the discreet sounds of nature add a living dimension to the static landscape of the lagoon.

Route and terrain conditions:

The pedestrian access to Lagoa Branca and the paths connecting it to nearby viewpoints traverse areas where the terrain can become very muddy, especially after periods of rainfall. The accumulated humidity and soil texture cause parts of the trail to become deep, allowing one to sink up to the knees in intense mud.

To navigate more safely, it is advisable to wear waterproof high-top footwear and, if necessary, use a support like a walking stick to test the firmness of the ground and avoid slips or falls. The crossing requires attention to the instability of some areas, not being a linear walk in terms of ground firmness, which implies slowing down in wetter spots.

Environment and observation:

The atmosphere of Lagoa Branca is marked by natural quietude and often soft light, filtered by mist or overcast skies, lending the place a contemplative feel. The color palette combines deep greens of the vegetation, greys of the sky, and reflections from the water, forming a serene scene with subtle contrasts.

The space is suitable for those seeking to observe the interaction between geological formations and the local ecology, with opportunities to photograph the caldera, the lagoon's mirror-like surface, and the extensive surroundings. The meteorological variations, typical of the region, can rapidly alter visibility and the environment, so the perception of the place changes with clouds, light, and humidity.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt