Overview
An eight day, self-guided Azorean adventure, cycling on Faial and Pico Islands, with some whale watching thrown into the already magical mix, depending on the season. This is also an e-bike cycling holiday, following trails to the UNESCO Pico vineyards, Caldeira do Faial and some perfectly-located lighthouses. Along the way, you get to enjoy some superb seafood and wine, swim in naturally-heated thermal pools, and cycle through Capelo and Quinta das Rosas Forestry Reserves. Stay in a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels and guesthouses, with some luggage transfers. The rental of e-bikes is included in the price of the tour.
- Swim in natural pools
- Caldeira do Faial crater
- Horta
- Ponta da Ilha lighthouse
- Whale watching
- Volcano tour
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Horta Airport on the island of Faial, where you’re met and transferred to the lodge on the north side of the island. The island was named after its numerous beech trees (faias), and is known for the bright blue hydrangeas that line the roads and countryside. After checking in, the local representative leads a trip briefing and bike fitting. If you have time after that, we recommend relaxing at the heated saltwater pool and spend the evening feasting on local seafood dishes.
- Accommodation: Pátio Ecolodge or similar in Cedros
Day 2: Capelinhos volcano loop cycle | 43.1km
The route passes through greenery to the desert-like area of Capelinhos Volcano. Visit the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre to learn more about the volcano and the eruption’s impact on the local community. Take in the views from the lighthouse viewpoint before descending to Varadouro’s natural pools. Stop for a lunch break at Capelo Forest Reserve, where you can visit the house and museum. Continue with an uphill climb, before descending to Cedros.
- Cycling for the day: 43.1km, ↑987m, ↓987m
- Accommodation: Pátio Ecolodge or similar in Cedros
- Meals: breakfast and packed lunch
Day 3: Cedros – Horta – Madalena | 38.1 km
Cycle up to the Caldeira do Faial, a 400m crater at nearly 1,000m altitude and where you are rewarded with panoramic views of the north and west coasts of the island. Descend to Horta, with a quick break at a viewpoint, before climbing to Monte Guia for views of Porto Pim Bay. Once you reach Horta, take the ferry to Madalena on Pico Island, and check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, explore the area on a loop ride, with the opportunity to swim in natural pools and visit Quinta das Rosas Forestry Reserve. Stroll through the reserve, passing small lakes, the Chapel of Santa Isabel and a viewpoint over Faial Island. Continue to Madalena and sample a glass of Pico wine as the sun goes down.
- Cycling for the day: 38.1km, ↑870m, ↓990m
- Accommodation: Hotel Caravelas or similar in Madalena
- Meals: breakfast and packed lunch
Day 4: Madalena – Prainha | 35.7km
Ride along the Atlantic coast, through Pico’s UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, framed by volcanic stone walls, which protect the vineyards from the harsh environment. Make an optional stop at the Vineyard Culture Interpretation Centre in Lajido for wine tasting, or visit the Volcanoes’ House to experience the simulation of an earthquake. Cool off with a dip in the natural pool at Arcos, before continuing to the harbour town of São Roque de Pico for lunch. Begin the ascent to Prainha’s viewpoint for views of São Roque Bay and the Pico-São Jorge channel. Bring the day to a close with a swim in Poça da Branca natural pool.
- Cycling for the day: 35.7km, ↑380m, ↓340m
- Accommodation: Pico da Saudade or similar in Prainha
- Meals: breakfast
Day 5: Prainha – Lajes do Pico | 50.8km
Start the day with a climb to Miradouro da Terra Alta at 400m for views of the Atlantic, as well as the southern part of the island. Descend to Manhenha, where you can visit Ponta da Ilha lighthouse, which is one of the newest lighthouses in the Azores. Cycle along the coast to Calheta de Nesquim, passing the 19th-century Igreja de São Sebastião Church. According to legend, the village was named after a dog called Nesquim, who saved three people from a sinking ship. Find a spot for a picnic lunch or head to the Saragaço snack bar. Continue uphill along Pico’s ancient cliffs, with an optional detour to Ribeiras harbour. On arrival at the seaside town of Lajes do Pico, where you spend the night, it’s a perfect place for an evening wander through the cobbled streets and visit the Centre for the Arts and Marine Sciences.
- Cycling for the day: 50.8km, ↑1,165m, ↓1,150m
- Accommodation: Aldeia da Fonte or similar in Lajes do Pico
- Meals: breakfast
Day 6: Whale watching or volcano tour
If you’re travelling between April and October, you can join the whale watching team from Espaço Talassa (included in price of tour) for a detailed briefing and excursion to spot dolphins, whales, sea turtles and seabirds. In spring, you may be lucky to see blue whales, bin whales and sei whales, while in summer you might also spot dolphins, pilot whales and beaked whales. If you’re visiting between November and March, you can head to Pico’s Plateau with biologists from the Hominis Natura team, discovering hidden freshwater lakes and volcanic landscapes. If you wish to cycle in the afternoon, your guide can recommend routes to highlights such as the Lighthouse of Ribeirinha or Cabeço das Pedras Negras viewpoint.
- Accommodation: Aldeia da Fonte or similar in Lajes do Pico
- Meals: breakfast
Day 7: Lajes do Pico – Madalena – Horta – Cedros | 38.8/58.2km
Begin the journey back to Faial Island from Pico’s south coast, passing natural pools such as São Caetano. Stop for a snack in São Mateus, which is known for its cheese and lace handicrafts. Continue cycling through vineyards, pausing for a lunch break at the picnic tables of Parque de Lazer dos Fogos. Ride on to Madalena, taking in the views of Faial Island, and board the ferry back to Horta. On arrival you can either be picked up and transferred to Cedros, or continue cycling another 19km to your accommodation. This might be a great time to make the most of the optional horse riding opportunities at Pátio Ecolodge if that’s your allocated accommodation.
- Cycling for the day: 38.8/58.2km, ↑400m, ↓470m
- Accommodation: Pátio Ecolodge or similar in Cedros
- Meals: breakfast
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast, with the transfer to Horta Airport included. Alternatively, extra nights can be requested.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Pátio Ecolodge (Cedros)
- Hotel Caravelas (Madalena)
- Pico da Saudade (Prainha)
- Aldeia da Fonte (Lajes do Pico)
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 (usually buffet breakfast/coffee and toast/bread/croissant) on all days and two packed lunches on days two and three. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can sometimes be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy-moderate, especially as it is on an e-bike, with some sections involving long, gradual ascents as well as some steeper short ascents. Most cycling is on paved roads, although some sections encounter unpaved roads with daily cycling distances of 35-58km (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available throughout the year, except for July and August.
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.
There is a higher chance of rain in the spring and autumn months, but the temperatures are cooler (nicer for cycling). For more information, see our blog post, Best time to go to Portugal.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Our recommended airport for this tour is Horta Airport (HOR).
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts and 2 packed lunches
- E-bike rental with pannier rack and bag, lock and repair kit
- Briefing and bike fit on day one
- Ferry transfers between Faial and Pico
- Entrance to the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre on day two
- Whale watching tour (March – June, September – October) or tour of Pico plateau (November – March) on day six
- Airport transfers
- Luggage transfers – one bag per person (max 15kg)
- Digital navigation app with maps, GPS tracks, and route notes
- Personal accident insurance
- 24-hour support line
Excluded
- Airfare
- Dinners and lunches (except lunches on day two and three)
- Museum fees
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal equipment
- Local tourist taxes
- Other personal expenses
- Any other items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- 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
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers
- Extra nights in Pico or Faial
- Helmet rental
- Horse riding at Pátio Ecolodge
- Visit São Jorge island
Bike rental
We offer complimentary e-bikes (Trek Allant+ 5 Stagger) most suitable for the paths and elevations of the cycle routes. The bikes come with a pannier rack and bag, lock and quick repair kit. The bike you will receive is regularly checked; however, basic knowledge on bike maintenance is highly recommended, as this is a self-guided tour.
Sample models attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on the availability, but the standard will be the same.
E-bike
