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 tour starts at the hotel and goes up around the crater lake Lagoa das Furnas, which with its greenish colour beautifully matches the island's vegetation. It is also close to the lakeshore that you can experience some of the island's hot springs with boiling mud and water holes that give an impression of how alive the island's interior is. It is at these springs that the famous stew Cazido das Furnas is cooked using only the heat from underground. On this tour you will also pass by the Furnas Monitoring & Research Centre, where we recommend a visit - entrance fee included.

It is possible to extend the day's hike by about 2 hours if you want to hike from the hot springs up to Pico do Ferro, a beautiful viewpoint that offers a fantastic view of Lagoa das Furnas. However, this part of the hike can be slippery and muddy after rainfall.

The hike starts and ends at the hotel.

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

Today's hike combines two interesting routes. The Lomba do Cavaleiro route (also called the Agrião route) and the Redondo route. These take you through a beautiful green area and along a small creek with acacia and avocado trees growing around it. In Ribeira Quente there is a beautiful beach where you can take a dip. You can also visit the small fishing harbour or have lunch in one of the town's small, cosy cafés before continuing your hike. The next part of the hike takes around 1.5 hours and follows the path along the riverbank out of Ribeira Quente and up to a point with magnificent views of Salto do Cavalo.
Included in the tour is today's transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (9.00am). And return from the end of the hike to the hotel in Furnas Valley (16:00).

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

Today's hike is the shortest of the week and takes you from the village of Faial Da Terra to a beautiful waterfall in the forest. On the way up, you'll pass the village of Sanguinho, which has been abandoned since the 1970s. However, renovations are underway for future sustainable tourism. The trail takes you up through the forest to a clearing where a waterfall idyllically fills a small lake. Taking a dip here is an experience, even though the water is cold.

Back in Faial Da Terra, you'll have time to find a cosy spot to enjoy lunch or afternoon coffee.

Included in the tour is today's transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the hike (9:00 am). And return from the end of the hike to the hotel in Furnasdalen (16:00).

Note: In rainy weather this hike can be difficult. If it rains a lot, it may be necessary to skip this hike.

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

Today's hike takes you along the Ribeira Funda river, which meanders through a stunning undulating landscape. Along the river you'll see several ruins of old watermills and there are several beautiful waterfalls along the way. The paths take you all the way to the coast, from where you walk along the beach in the bay of Praia da Viola and end up in the coastal village of Maia. This is the largest town on the north coast and it is recommended to walk past the town church, known for its characteristic facade.
Included in the tour is today's transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the walk (9.00 am).
After the walk, you will be driven to your next hotel in Ponta Delgada. On the way, it will be possible to make a stop at Santa Iria, where there is a fantastic viewpoint. The taxi will also make a short stop at the island's famous tea plantation, rumoured to be the only one in Europe.

Hotel (example): São Miguel Park Hotel****

The crater lake Lagoa do Fogo is the highest lake on São Miguel and also the most inaccessible lake in the Azores, as it can only be reached on foot. The last stretch up to the lake, the path follows a levada - an open water conduit. At the lakeside, you can enjoy a picnic or take a dip.

The hike then follows other trails back to the shore where it is possible to swim from the beach.

Included in the tour is today's transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the hike (9.00 am). And return from the end of the walk to the hotel in Ponta Delgada (16:00).

Hotel (example): São Miguel Park Hotel****

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

The A route is approximately 3 hours long, but may not be suitable if the day is foggy.
The B route is about 2 hours long and easier to hike.

The A route starts at an old overgrown aqueduct at an altitude of 710 metres, also known as the wall of nine windows due to its appearance. From here it climbs the last 140 metres to the crater rim of this ancient volcano, from where there are magnificent views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. The lakes have a funny phenomenon as they reflect the sun's rays in different colours, making one lake appear blue and the other green, even though they are connected, divided only by a bridge and therefore really only one lake. From here, the hike continues through beautiful nature down to the village of Sete Cidades, where you can find a cosy restaurant or enjoy a picnic by the lakeside.

The B route starts directly on the crater rim at the Vista do Rei viewpoint (550 metres above sea level), which also offers fantastic views of the twin lakes. From here, the route follows dirt roads and paths through beautiful nature down to the lakeshore at the village of Sete Cidades.

In the afternoon, take a stroll along the shores of either the blue or green part of the lake. Whichever direction you choose, you'll have to return the same way as there are no paths around the entire lake.

Included in the tour is today's transfer from the hotel to the starting point of the hike (9.00 am). As well as the return from the end of the walk to the hotel in Ponta Delgada (16:00).

Hotel (example): São Miguel Park Hotel****

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel in Ponta Delgada and transfer to the airport (included in the price).