Walking Holidays in the Azores

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Sao Miguel

  Home to Ponta Delgada and the capital of the Azores, Saõ Miguel boasts 3 unique crater lakes which you’ll discover on this week-long journey. On your first day, you’ll meet your guides at the airport and they will transfer you to Capelas, a village on the north coast. You’ll get to your accommodation for the next 4 nights — a hotel in Vale do Navio boasting a refreshing swimming pool. Get some rest and get to know your guides and group on the first evening.

  Accommodation: Hotel Vale do Navio in Capelas 4*
  Meals: Not included

  
• Day 2: The Sete Cidades caldera and the legend of the Atlantis

  A magnificent day awaits as you discover the Sete Cidades lake. The hike begins at Lagoa de Canario, with its grandiose view of Lakes Azul and Santiago. We’ll follow a path along the crater edge around the lake. Viewpoints of the Azul and Verde lakes dot the trail, before descending to the village of Sete Cidades nestling at the bottom of the Caldera. Take your time to enjoy a drink in one of the village’s terrace bars (at your own expense) before we set off again over a bridge with 7 arches, symbolizing the 7 cities of the lost continent of Atlantis, said to be buried beneath these two lakes. We’ll begin a slow final ascent to reach the Vista do Rei site and its breathtaking view over the vast Caldeira de Sete Cidades before returning to our accommodation.

  Walking: 5 hours
  Elevation + 400 m, – 650 m
  Accommodation: Hotel Vale do Navio in Capelas 4*
  Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, hotel dinner

  
• Day 3: The water route: Between tunnels and old stone bridges

  This lesser-trodden hike will take us along the Water Road, an ancient route used to supply water to the town of Lagoa. The route goes through a dense, wild forest dotted with tunnels, aqueducts, old stone bridges and the levada, up to the “Window of Hell” waterfall — a vertical wall rich in springs, where it’s possible to observe newts (salamander family) in various life cycles. The trail then returns to pastures and views of the south coast. After this, we’ll return to the hotel. 

  Walking: 5 hours
  Elevation: + 510 m – 645 m
  Accommodation: Hotel Vale do Navio in Capelas 4*
  Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, hotel dinner

  
• Day 4: Ponta Delgada, pineapple plantations and the mysterious Lagoa de Fogo

  We’ll start the day with a visit to a pineapple plantation. Brought back from South America in the 19th century as a decorative plant, pineapple cultivation quickly established itself as an economically interesting alternative to the cultivation of oranges. We’ll continue on to Ponta Delgada, characterized by Baroque architecture, narrow streets, beautiful churches partly built of lava stone, and a sumptuous marina. Afternoon will be devoted to the island’s most astonishing crater lake: Lagoa de Fogo. The ascent begins by crossing a forest of pittosporum and eucalyptus before following a levada to the lake’s southern shores. The caldera, which encloses this crater lake at an altitude of 578 m, is the youngest caldera on the island: just 15,000 years old! Listed as a nature reserve, it is home to endemic plants and a favorite nesting place for many birds. 

  Walking: 3 hours
  Elevation: +/- 500 m
  Accommodation: Hotel Vale do Navio in Capelas 4*
  Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, hotel dinner

  
• Day 5: From the water mills of Praia da Viola to the tea plantations

  Today we’ll be delving into the history of the island as we discover the tea plantations on the north coast. But first, we’ll head to the beautiful beach of Praia da Viola. With its black sand and cliffs teeming with watercourses, it was a focal point of local life. Make sure to check out the lava stone water mills that are now overgrown but bear witness to a very active past. We’ll continue on foot along a country road to the tea plantations. Unlike anywhere else in Europe, tea is still grown here, picked, and made using traditional methods. After discovering the family-run factory, we’ll enjoy a tea tasting experience! Your guides will transfer you to Furnas, a small village with undeniable charm, nestled in a green setting and best known for its volcanic activity: fumaroles, bubbling mud, sulfurous hot springs, etc. Settle in for 3 nights in this enchanting scenery. 

  Walking: 3.5 hours
  Altitude difference: + 100 m /- 400m
  Accommodation: Residencial Vista do Vale
  Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, dinner in Tony’s

  
• Day 6: Fumerolles and Furnas hot springs

  We’ll depart on foot from the village, then climb a shady path to the Pico do Ferro, a panoramic viewpoint over the Furnas valley. We’ll then descend to reach the shores of the lake and its impressive solfataras and fumaroles releasing large quantities of sulfur. This geothermal system has always been used by locals to cook foods such as cozido, a typical local stew. We’ll continue along a path around the lake, lined with lush vegetation. Those wishing to do so can visit the Furnas Monitoring and Research Center (entrance fee payable on the spot). We’ll return to the village to enjoy another of its exceptional attractions: the Terra Nostra botanical garden. Born at the crossroads of the great maritime routes, it is home to century-old trees, tree ferns, exotic plants and sulfurous rivers. At its heart, a gigantic geothermal pool and two natural jacuzzis invite you to take a relaxing dip (entrance included). To round off this amazing day, we’ll taste the cozido cooked on the lakeshore that very morning. 

  Walking: 4 hours
  Elevation: + 450 m – 450 m
  Accommodation: Residencial Vista do Vale
  Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, dinner in Banhos Ferreos restaurant

  Note: Depending on dates and group size, rooms may be spread over several houses in the village. Some rooms have shared bathrooms (1 for 2 rooms).

  
• Day 7: From the waterfalls of Faial da Terra to the coastal farming trail

  This morning we’ll travel to Faial da Terra at the south-eastern tip of the island. For a long time, this village made its living from whaling and farming. Along the river, through the forest, we’ll discover exuberant and endemic vegetation. After lunch, we’ll drive to Povoçao, where the island’s first inhabitants settled. We’ll follow a coastal path that links Povoação to Ribeira Quente. Arrive at the beautiful beach of Ribeira Quente for a unique swimming experience—the existence of underwater hydrothermal springs makes the sea water tepid. Transfer back to Furnas. 

  Faial da Terra:
  Walking: 2.5 hours
  Altitude difference: + 400 m /- 400 m

  Povoçao / Ribeira Quente:
  Walking: 3 hours
  Ascent: + 400 m /- 400 m
  Accommodation: Residencial Vista do Vale
  Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, dinner in Tony’s

   

  
• Day 8: Departure

  Your guides will transfer you to Ponta Delgada airport where you can catch your flight.