Overview
A nine day, self-guided adventure on three of the islands of this otherworldly archipelago, walking on São Miguel, Pico and Faial. The wild volcanic land and seascapes of these Portuguese islands are a magnet for magic, with trails to volcanic craters, along ancient coastal paths and secret waterfalls.
Island-hopping between these three islands, they all offer something special, especially when it comes to volcanoes. On São Miguel you get to trek up to Lagoa Azul volcanic crater and also walk around the crater lake in Furnas. On Faial Island, walk alongside the crater in the heart of the island, formed by the most recently active volcano of the Azores, Capelinhos. And, last but not least, on Pico you walk in the shadow of the highest mountain in Portugal (2,351m), with vineyards and coastal trails making a fine finale to this tour.
- Furnas Valley
- Sete Cidades Crater
- Capelinhos Volcano
- Caldeira Velha
- Pico Vineyards UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Lagoa do Capitão
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival on São Miguel Island
You are met at the airport by your driver, then transferred to your hotel in Furnas, famous for its geothermal activity, including bubbling hot springs, fumaroles, and Cozido das Furnas, a traditional stew slow-cooked underground using volcanic heat. Depending on the arrival time, we recommend taking a stroll along Terra Nostra Park or relaxing in the hot thermal pools at Poça da Dona Beija (both payable locally).
- Accommodation: Landescape Furnas or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
Day 2: Sete Cidades crater and lagoons | 16.5km
You are transferred to the beginning of today’s walk in Miradouro da Vista do Rei. It starts with a demanding ascent to the top of the Lagoa Azul volcanic crater where you get some superb views of the lake, caldera and surrounding coastline. We also recommend an optional detour to Boca do Inferno viewpoint which overlooks Lagoa Azul crater. At the end of the route, you are transferred from Sete Cidades back to the hotel.
- Walking for the day: 3.5-4h, 16.5km, ↑130m ↓570m
- Accommodation: Landescape Furnas or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 3: Lagoa das Furnas | 13.9km
Today’s walk begins and ends in Furnas with a route around the crater lake. If you want to push yourself a little more, we recommend walking up to the viewpoint at Pico do Ferro with views of the lake and the surrounding area. Don’t miss the chance to visit Mata/Jardim José do Canto, home to a gothic church and waterfall (payable locally). The final part of the route leads to another viewpoint over Furnas.
- Walking for the day: 3h, 13.9km, ↑150m ↓150m
- Accommodation: Landescape Furnas or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 4: Faial Island
You are transferred to the airport for your flight (booked independently) to Faial Island, once a hub of whale watching in the Azores. You’re met at the airport and transferred to the accommodation. Relax at the pool before your dining experience, as prepared by the hotel hosts.
- Accommodation: Refúgio dos Capelinhos or similar in Faial
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Capelinhos to Varadouro | 6.8km
You are transferred to Capelinhos, the site of a volcanic sea eruption in 1957, which lasted for 13 months. We recommend visiting Capelinhos Interpretation Centre (payable locally) to learn more about the history of this volcano. Take a short walk to the lighthouse, which has great views of the volcanic landscapes. Continue along the southern coast as far as Varadouro, where you can swim in the natural pools. At the end of the walk, you are met and transferred to your accommodation, with an optional sunset picnic dinner at Capelinhos Volcano, subject to availability).
- Walking for the day: 2.5h, 6.8km, ↑127m ↓185m
- Accommodation: Refúgio dos Capelinhos or similar in Faial
- Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Caldeira do Faial circular route | 6.8km
You are transferred to Caldeira of Faial, which was formed more than 10,000 years ago and now a natural reserve. The walking route takes you around the perimeter of the volcanic crater, with a 2km in diameter that drops 400m deep into the Laurissilva forest. On good weather days, you also get great views of the other islands. At the end of the walk, transfer to your accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 2.5h, 6.8km, ↑283m ↓283m
- Accommodation: Internacional Azores Boutique or similar in Faial
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 7: Vineyards Trail, Pico Island | 8.5km
Our driver transfers you to Horta port, where you board the ferry (included) to Madalena, on Pico Island. Known as the Black Island, the black volcanic earth here creates many black rock natural pools, geothermal springs, lava cones, tubes and wide craters. After being transferred to the hotel for a quick check in, you are dropped off at Vinhas da Criação Velha for a walk along the eastern coast of the island, on a trail that takes you through UNESCO World Heritage vineyards that date back to the 15th century. There are man-made basaltic walls that protect the vineyards from winds and sea breezes. The route ends with a 4km coastal walk back to your hotel.
- Walking for the day: 2.5h, 8.5km ↑100m ↓100m
- Accommodation: Adega da Quinta or similar in Madalena
- Upgraded accommodation: Pico Vineyards or similar in Madalena
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 8: Lagoa do Capitão | 9.6km
You are transferred to the starting point of Lagoa do Capitão trail, the largest lagoon on Pico Island. Follow the dirt track through dense forest that ascends to pastures, with views of Mount Pico and São Jorge Island. You are met by the driver at the end of the walk, who takes you back to the hotel.
- Walking for the day: 3h, 9.6km ↑100m ↓770m
- Accommodation: Adega da Quinta or similar in Madalena
- Upgraded accommodation: Pico Vineyards or similar in Madalena
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 9: Departure
Departure after breakfast with a private transfer to the airport, or extend your stay in Pico.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly locally-owned hotels and guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to natural adventures. All rooms have en-suite or private bathroom.
Click to view default hotels
- Landescape Furnas (Furnas)
- Refúgio dos Capelinhos (Faial)
- Internacional Azores Boutique (Faial)
- Adega da Quinta (Madalena)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (Furnas)
- Pico Vineyards (Madalena)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included every day, as well as two dinners based on locally sourced food from agroturism. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded easy to moderate and includes daily walks of between 5-15km following footpaths, tracks and coastal paths. The tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition. Although the daily distances are not that far, you should be aware that there are some elevation gains on all walks (read more about difficulty grades). The walks mostly take place on coastal or inland footpaths and at times, rocky tracks. Some of them are marked. However, please be aware that the trails after rain can be slippery. It is, therefore, a good idea to bring hiking boots with good grips. You can always call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime if you need assistance. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available during the whole year although tours between Christmas and New Year are on request only.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The weather is good all year round in the Azores Islands. It has a mild maritime climate, which is drier in the summer and wetter in the winter. On average, the warmest months are July, August, September and October, with average daily temperatures of 22C – 24C. These are also the best months for swimming. December is the rainiest month. For more information on the area, refer to our blog, Best time to go to Portugal.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended arrival airport for this tour is Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) and departure airport is Pico Airport (PIX). A second internal flight between Ponta Delgada (PDL) and Faial (HOR) is required (booked independently). Private transfers from Ponta Delgada Airport and to Pico Airport are included in your package.
Inclusions
Included
- 8 overnight stays with breakfast
- 2 dinners (days four and five)
- Luggage transfers when changing hotels (one piece up to 20kg per person)
- All transfers on walking days as listed in the programme
- Ferry tickets from Horta (Faial) to Madalena (Pico)
- Airport transfers
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided on site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Hotel upgrade options in Furnas and in Pico
