Azores - Walking holiday, São Miguel

You arrive to the first hotel of your journey. After you have settled in your room you can explore your surroundings.

Transfer from the airport to the first hotel in the Valley of Furnas is included in the price.

Hotel (example): Hotel Terra Nostra****

The walking route leads you along the Ribeira Funda creek, which meanders through the great rolling landscape. Along the course of the creek, you will meet the ruins of old water mills, and you will pass several beautiful waterfalls on the walk. The path leads you all the way to the coast, where you will walk along the beach at the bay of Praia da Viola, before finally ending by the coastal village of Maia. This village is the largest on the North Coast, and it is recommended to go past the church, which is known for its characteristic front.

Included in the price is the transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (at 9:00). And return from Maia to the hotel in the Valley of Furnas  (at 16.00). 

Walking: approx. 3,5 hours
Distance: approx. 9,2km
Hotel (example): Hotel Terra Nostra****

The walking today combines two interesting routes. The Lomba do Cavaleiro route (also called Agrião route) and the Redondo route. These takes you through a beautiful green landscape, along a small stream, surrounded by Acacia and Avocado trees among others. In Ribeira Quente, there is a lovely beach, inviting you to take a dip. You can also visit the small fishing harbor or enjoy a lunch at one of the charming cafés, before continuing the walk. The following walking stretch leads you along the riverbank of Ribeira Quente and up to a point with magnificent views of the Salto do Cavalo.

Included in the price is the transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (at 9:00). And return to the hotel in the Valley of Furnas  (at 16.00).

Walking: approx. 3,5 hours
Distance: approx. 8,4km
Hotel (example): Hotel Terra Nostra****

With only a two-hour walk scheduled today, this is an easy but not less fascinating day. You will walk from the village of Faial Da Terra to a beautiful waterfall located up in the forest. On the way up there you will be passing the village Sanguinho – a ghostly looking place which has been deserted since the 1970s. Recently the locals have begun restoring the buildings as a project of future sustainable tourism. The trail leads up in the forest and in to a clearing where a waterfall idyllically feeds a small lake with clear water. It is quite an experience to go for a dip here, although the water is cold.
Back in Faial Da Terra there is plenty of time to find a cozy place to have lunch or enjoy an afternoon refreshment.

Included in the price is the transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (at 9:00). And return to the hotel in the Valley of Furnas (at 16.00).

Walking: approx. 2 hours
Distance: approx. 5km
Hotel (example): Hotel Terra Nostra****

Today the walk will take you from the hotel and around the crater lake – Lagoa das Furnas. With its green glow it beautifully matches the vegetation of the island. It is also close to the shores of the lake, that you can experience some of the island's hot springs, with boiling mud and water holes, offering you glimpses of how lively the island's interior. It is by these springs, the famous stew Cazido das Furnas is cooked using only the heat from the underground. On this walk you will be passing the Monitoring & Research Center of Furnas, where a visit is recommended – The entrance fees are included.

It is possible to extend the walk with an extra stretch of 2 hours. You can walk from the hot springs up to Pico do Ferro, to experience the beautiful point that offers a stunning view of Lagoa das Furnas. This part of the walk may be slippery and muddy after rain.

In the afternoon, a taxi will take you from the hotel in Furnas to your next hotel in Ponta Delgada. On the way it will be possible to make a stop at Santa Iria, another beautiful viewpoint. And the taxi will also make a short stop at the island's famous tea plantation, which supposedly is the only professional one in Europe.

Walking: approx. 3 hours
Distance: approx. 7,5km
Hotel (example): São Miguel Park Hotel****

The crater lake called Lagoa do Fogo is not just the highest situated lake in São Miguel, but also the most remote one in the Azores, and it is only possible to get up to the shores of it by foot. On the last stretch up to the lake, the path follows a levada - an open irrigation channel. By the shores of the lake is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or take a dip in the water.
Afterwards the walk will take you by other paths back to the ocean, where it will be possible to go for a swim from the beach.

Included in the price is the transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (at 9:00). And return to the hotel in the Ponta Delgada (at 16.00).

Walking: approx. 5 hours
Distance: approx. 15km
Hotel (example): São Miguel Park Hotel****

On the last day of walking you have the choice between two different walking routes.

Route A is about 3 hours long, but may be unsuitable if the weather is foggy on the day.
Route B is about 2 hours long, and easier to walk.

Route A starts at an old overgrown aqueduct, located at 710 meters of altitude and due to its design also known as The Nine Windows Wall. Here you will begin with an ascent to the rim of the crater on this old volcano, and the view here is magnificent, both of the Atlantic Ocean, and the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. These lakes carries a funny phenomenon, as they reflect the sunrays in their own color, so one lake appears blue and the other green, although they are connected; only divided by a bridge and therefore actually only one lake. You walk through the beautiful countryside down to the village of Sete Cidades, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon as you please – maybe by finding a nice restaurant, or enjoy a picnic by the shores of the lake.

Route B begins directly on the rim of the crater at the viewpoint Vista do Rei at 550 meters of altitude, which also has great views of the twin lakes. From here you follow an old dirt road and trails through the beautiful countryside down to the shores if the lake, close to the village of Sete Cidades.

In the afternoon, it is recommended to take a stroll along the shore of either the blue or the green part of the lake.
Included in the price is the transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (at 9:00). And return to the hotel in the Ponta Delgada  (at 16.00).

Walking: approx. 2-3 hours
Distance: approx. 11km or 7,5km
Hotel (example): São Miguel Park Hotel****

After breakfast you will be checking out of the hotel for departure. Transfer from the hotel to the airport is included in the price.