Overview
An eight day, self-guided Azorean adventure, walking on São Miguel Island, the largest island in the archipelago. This itinerary has walks, and accommodation, scattered through different areas of the island, to maximise your enjoyment of the extraordinary land and seascapes here. Also known as Green Island, hiking highlights include Sete Cidades crater lakes and Furnas Valley, the latter famous for its geothermal activity, including bubbling hot springs and fumaroles. There’s beach time and waterfall time too, with the tour coming to a close in the historic capital of Ponta Delgada.
- Janela do Inferno
- Furnas Valley
- Sete Cidades Crater
- Lagoa do Fogo
- Ponta Delgada
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival on São Miguel Island
You are met at the airport, where our driver meets you for a transfer to the first hotel. Depending on the arrival time, we recommend taking a stroll along the coast, which is lined with rocky cliffs and caves. Otherwise relax in one of the several natural pools, formed by historic volcanic eruptions.
- Accommodation: Hotel Vale Do Navio or similar in Capelas
- Upgraded accommodation: Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa or similar in Fenais da Luz
Day 2: Sete Cidades Crater | 16.5km
We transfer you 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 suggest a worthwhile 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: Hotel Vale Do Navio or similar in Capelas
- Upgraded accommodation: Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa or similar in Fenais da Luz
Day 3: Rota da Agua | 8.5km
Our driver collects you this morning for a 30mins transfer to Remédios. Ascend a dirt track which leads to Janela do Inferno – a vast wall, rich in water springs and flora with a large cavity created by water erosion. Head towards the cavity where you find a waterfall feeding a large natural pool. The route back passes a large aqueduct and leads through tunnels up to 50m long. Finish the route back in Remédios where you will be met and transferred to Furnas. Famous for its caldeiras, or volcanic hot springs, this is where they make Cozido das Furnas – a stew that’s cooked in the volcanic soil.
- Walking for the day: 2.5h, 8.5km , ↑250m ↓250m
- Accommodation: Vista do Vale or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
Day 4: The Caldeiras of Lagoa das Furnas | 13.9km
Today’s walk begins and ends in Furnas with a route around the crater lake. If a challenge is desired, climb 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, with a gothic church and a 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: Vista do Vale or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
Day 5: Salto do Prego | 6km
Start the day with a 35mins transfer to Faial da Terra. Today’s circular route leads to Salto do Prego Waterfall through a forest. For the return, take a detour to Sanguinho. If time allows, we recommend a visit to the thermal baths in Parque Terra Nostra Garden or Poça da Dona Beija for a relaxing cool down (payable locally). We pick you up in the afternoon and return to your accommodation in Furnas.
- Walking for the day: 2h, 6km, ↑330m ↓330m
- Accommodation: Vista do Vale or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
Day 6: Trails of the southern coast | 11km
From your hotel our driver picks you up and drops you off at the start of the route. You will follow an easy woodland track that will lead to Ribeira Quente, a nearby fishing village. Continue along another coastal path, with views of Santa Maria Island in the distance. Continue through woodland that’s dotted with Canarian laurel, flora that’s unique to the Azores. Finish the route in Lomba do Cavaleiro where you can get a drink at the only bar in the small town before we pick you up and return to Furnas.
- Walking for the day: 3-4h, 11km, ↑500m ↓650m
- Accommodation: Vista do Vale or similar in Furnas
- Upgraded accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel or similar in Furnas
Day 7: Lagoa do Fogo | 11km
We pick you up this morning for a slightly longer transfer. From Vila Franca do Campo start the ascent up to the 600m-high Lago do Fogo crater, the largest on the island. This is a perfect stop for a snack. Leave the crater following a narrow pathway for a long descent back to the starting point. The driver picks you up for a transfer to Ponta Delgada for your last night.
- Walking for the day: 3h, 11km, ↑480m ↓480m
- Accommodation:The Lince Azores or similar in Ponta Delgada
- Upgraded accommodation: Grand Hotel Azores Atlantico or similar in Ponta Delgada
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly locally-owned and chain hotels as well as 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 bathroom.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Vale do Navio (Capelas)
- Vista do Vale (Furnas)
- The Lince Azores (Ponta Delgada)
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
- Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa (Fenais da Luz)
- Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (Furnas)
- Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico (Ponta Delgada)
Meals
Breakfast is included every day. 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; only the week between Christmas and New Year is 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 on São Miguel. 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 airport for this tour is Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL). Complimentary private transfers from/to Ponta Delgada Airport are included in your package.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays with breakfast
- Luggage transfers when changing hotels (one piece up to 20kg per person)
- All transfers on walking days as listed in the programme
- 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 Upgrades
