Overview
An eight day, self-guided walking holiday on two of the islands of this otherworldly archipelago: Pico and Faial Island. You spend four nights on Pico and three on Faial, staying in mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. Each island’s Azorean natural heritage offers something special. On Pico, you walk in the shadow of Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal, and also get to enjoy the local wine, grown in volcanic soil. On Faial, you walk alongside the crater in the heart of the island, formed by the most recently active volcano of the Azores, Capelinhos.
- Pico Island
- Faial Island
- Faial’s Caldeira crater
- Mount Pico, the highest mountain and volcano in Portugal
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive on Pico Island
You are met and transferred from Pico Airport to the first accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, we recommend exploring Lajes do Pico or relaxing by the pool.
- Accommodation:Aldeia da Fonte or similar in Lajes do Pico
- Upgraded Accommodation: Pico Terramar & SPA or similar in Madalena
Day 2: Pico Island: Lagoa do Capitão | 8.5km
Start the day with a transfer to the start of the walk in Lagoa do Capitão (Captain’s Lagoon). The route takes you down to São Roque. Captain’s Lagoon offers one of the best views of Mount Pico, as well as the opportunity for some birding. Follow a dirt track through a forest, a demanding descent for those after a challenge. You are met by a taxi at the end of the walk to take you to Madalena.
- Walking for the day: 3.5-4h, 8.5km ↑25m ↓770m
- Accommodation:Aldeia da Fonte or similar in Lajes do Pico
- Upgraded Accommodation: Pico Terramar & SPA or similar in Madalena
Day 3: Pico Island: Caminho dos Burros | 9km
Our driver collects you this morning and heads towards the central plateau of the island. The route follows the Caminho das Lagoas (Path of the Lagoons) down to the northern coast, with views of Mount Pico behind you and São Jorge Island ahead. Continue on a forest trail as far as Baía das Canas (Bay of Canes) which is perfect for a swim, before being met and transferred back to the hotel.
- Walking for the day: 4h, 9km, ↑100m ↓800m
- Accommodation:Aldeia da Fonte or similar in Lajes do Pico
- Upgraded Accommodation: Pico Terramar & SPA or similar in Madalena
Day 4: Pico Island: southern coast | 8-16km
You are transferred to the beginning of the route just above Silveira village. The exact starting point depends on the chosen walking distance, but with the longer walk, you follow a paved path where Portugal’s highest mountain, (Mount Pico 2,351m) is in view. After a few kilometres, the trail takes along a shady forest trail to São João. Leaving this village, walk past Moinho de São João, a bright red mill made from volcanic stone, and continue along the coastline. Finishing up today’s hike, we recommend retracing your steps to Zona Balnear da Fonte, a cluster of natural pools, for a refreshing dip.
- Walking for the day: 2.5/4.5h, 8/16km ↑10/25m ↓90/770m
- Accommodation:Aldeia da Fonte or similar in Lajes do Pico
- Upgraded Accommodation: Pico Terramar & SPA or similar in Madalena
Day 5: Faial Island: vineyards walk and ferry to Horta | 8.5km
In the morning, you are transferred to the start of the walk on the eastern coast of the island on a trail that takes you through World Heritage vineyards. This route ends in Madalena Harbour, where you take the ferry to Faial Island (1h). Once you arrive, you’re met at the port and transferred to the accommodation. Relax on the beach or by the marina with plenty of restaurants for dinner.
- Walking for the day: 2.5h, 8.5km ↑100m ↓100m
- Accommodation: Hotel da Horta or similar in Horta
- Upgraded Accommodation: Internacional Azores Boutique (Pico view room) or similar in Horta
Day 6: Faial Island: Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo and Cabeço do Fogo | 13.5km
After a short transfer, you arrive at Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo, which is 2km wide and 400m deep. It’s the highest point on Faial and provides clear views of Graciosa, São Jorge and Pico Island. The walking trail takes you along the edge of the crater and then downhill along a red dirt track through forest. A levada (water canal) leads to another crater, Cabeço do Fogo. A descent through Capelo Natural Reserve Park takes you to the picnic area, ideal for a break before finishing the route to tonight’s accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 4h, 13.5km ↑150m ↓700m
- Accommodation: Hotel da Horta or similar in Horta
- Upgraded Accommodation: Internacional Azores Boutique (Pico view room) or similar in Horta
Day 7: Faial Island: Capelinhos volcano and lighthouse | 13km
Head to the south coast for a short walk to the Capelinhos, the site of a volcanic sea eruption in 1957, which lasted for 13 months. Take a short walk to Capelinhos Lighthouse which has great views of the volcanic landscapes. Continue the walk along the southern coast as far as Varadouro and relax by, or in the natural pools. You are transferred back to the hotel in the afternoon.
- Walking for the day: 3h, 13km ↑300m ↓400m
- Accommodation: Hotel da Horta or similar in Horta
- Upgraded Accommodation: Internacional Azores Boutique (Pico view room) or similar in Horta
Day 8: Pico Island and departure
The tour comes to an end after breakfast. Take the ferry to Pico Island where you are transferred to the airport.
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 default hotels
- Aldeia da Fonte (Lajes do Pico)
- Hotel Horta (Horta)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel 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 upgrade hotels
- Pico Terramar & SPA (Madalena)
- Internacional Azores Boutique (Horta)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel 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. When no restaurant location is available on 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 4-13km following footpaths, tracks and coastal paths. This 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 are often poorly maintained and, 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.
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. In terms of the weather, it is typical that the warmest months are July, August, September and October, with average daily temperatures of 22C – 24C during the daytime.
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 airport for this tour is Pico Airport (PIX). Complimentary private transfers from/to Pico Airport are included in your package.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays with breakfast
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Transfers according to the programme, including boat fares
- Private transfers from/to Pico airport
- 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 and transfers not explicitly listed as included in the programme
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Tickets for Capelinhos Visitor’s Centre
- 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.
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers.
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
