Walking Holidays in the Azores

Arrive on the island of São Miguel, the largest in the Azores and home to the capital, Ponta Delgada. The island is famous for its three stunning crater lakes, all of which we’ll explore during our journey. Make your way to Furnas, a charming little village tucked into lush, green surroundings and known for its fascinating volcanic activity—steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and naturally heated, sulfur-rich hot springs. We’ll settle in here for three nights, soaking up the magic of this truly unique place.

Accommodation: Vista do Vale Hotel in Furnas
Meals: Dinner

This morning, we travel to Faial da Terra, a small village on the southeastern tip of the island, once sustained by whaling and farming. We’ll follow a trail along the river and through lush forest, surrounded by vibrant, endemic vegetation. Along the way, we’ll pass old watermills and waterfalls before arriving at the tiny village of Sanguinho, known for its charming stone houses.

After lunch, we return to Furnas to experience one of its true highlights—the Terra Nostra botanical garden. Shaped by centuries of maritime connections, the garden is home to towering old trees, giant tree ferns, exotic plants, and steaming sulphur springs. At its heart, a massive geothermal pool and two natural Jacuzzis offer the perfect spot for a relaxing soak (entrance included—the park closes at 4:30 pm).

Walking: 2.5 hours
Elevation gain/loss +400 m (1,312 ft), -400 m (1,312 ft)
Accommodation: Vista do Vale Hotel in Furnas
Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, hotel dinner

Today we’ll dive into the island’s history with a visit to the tea plantations on the north coast—but first, we’ll explore the beautiful beach of Praia da Viola. With its black sand and cliffs laced with waterfalls, this spot was once a hub of village life. Local washerwomen set up washhouses here, and millers worked the lava-stone water mills, now slowly being reclaimed by nature but still telling stories of the past.

From here, we continue on foot along a quiet country road to reach the island’s famous tea plantations—the only ones in Europe. Tucked away in the middle of the Atlantic, these fields are a true curiosity, where tea is still grown, harvested, and processed the old-fashioned way. After touring a family-run factory and learning about their time-honored methods, we’ll wrap up with a well-deserved tea tasting.

Walking: 3 hours
Altitude difference: +210 m (690 ft) / -400 m (1,312 ft)
Accommodation:  Vista do Vale Hotel in Furnas
Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, dinner

We set off on foot from the village, climbing a shaded trail up to Pico do Ferro, a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Furnas valley. From there, we descend toward the lake’s edge, where the ground itself seems alive—huge fumaroles release clouds of sulphur-rich steam from the earth, part of a geothermal system locals have used for centuries to cook food like cozido, a traditional meat and vegetable stew slow-cooked underground. After taking time to watch this unique cooking process, we’ll follow a scenic trail around the lake, surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation. Along the way, there’s the option to visit the Furnas Monitoring and Research Centre (entrance fee payable on-site).

To unwind after the walk, we’ll head to the soothing thermal pools of Dona Beija hot springs (subject to availability). And to finish off this unforgettable day, we’ll sit down to enjoy the famous cozido—cooked that very morning right here on the lakeshore.

Walking: 2.5 hours
Elevation: +400 m (1,476 ft) / -400 m (1,476 ft)
Accommodation: Vista do Vale Hotel in Furnas
Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, dinner

Today is all about exploring one of the island’s most breathtaking natural wonders—Lagoa do Fogo, or “Lake of Fire.” Our hike begins with a steady climb through fragrant forests of pittosporum and eucalyptus, before following a *levada* (irrigation channel) toward the lake’s southern shore. Sitting at 578 meters above sea level, this dramatic crater lake is cradled within the island’s youngest caldera—formed just 15,000 years ago. Now a protected nature reserve, it’s a haven for endemic plants and a nesting ground for many bird species.

After our hike, we transfer to Ponta Delgada, the vibrant capital of the Azores, where we’ll settle in for three nights at a charming hotel complete with a swimming pool—perfect for a well-earned dip.

Walking: 3 hours
Elevation: +500 m (1,640 ft) / -500 m (1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Talisman Hotel in Ponte Delgada
Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, hotel dinner

A spectacular day of hiking awaits as we set out to explore the iconic Sete Cidades lakes. Our adventure begins at Lagoa do Canário, where we’re treated to a sweeping view over the striking Lakes Azul and Santiago. From here, we follow a trail along the crater rim, with stunning viewpoints of the famous twin lakes—Azul and Verde—appearing along the way. The path eventually winds down into the village of Sete Cidades, tucked into the heart of the caldera. We’ll take a well-deserved break here to enjoy a drink at one of the local terrace cafés (at your own expense), before continuing over a bridge with seven arches—said to represent the seven cities of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis, rumored to lie beneath these lakes.

From there, we make a slow, steady climb to Vista do Rei, a viewpoint offering one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Azores, overlooking the vast Sete Cidades caldera. After soaking it all in, we return to our accommodation for the night.

Walking: 5 hours
Altitude difference: +400 m (1,312 ft) / -650 m (2,133 ft)
Accommodation: Talisman Hotel in Ponte Delgada
Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, dinner

This morning, we kick off with a guided tour of Ponta Delgada, the lively capital of the Azores. The city charms with its Baroque architecture, narrow cobbled streets, striking lava-stone churches, and its beautiful marina. We’ll visit the botanical garden, a peaceful green space filled with native and endemic plants, winding paths, lava-stone caves and tunnels, and tranquil ponds. After lunch in a local restaurant, we head out to explore a pineapple plantation. Originally brought from South America in the 19th century as a decorative plant, pineapples soon became an important crop, especially after orange production declined.

To finish off the day in style, we visit a gin library—home to an impressive collection from around the world. Here, we’ll raise a glass with a gin and tonic crafted from Azorean gin, toasting to an unforgettable adventure.

Walking: 2.5 hours
Accommodation: Talisman Hotel in Ponte Delgada
Meals: Continental breakfast, picnic, hotel dinner