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View of Lagoa do Fogo

Magic world of the Azores

Hot springs, black beaches & exotic flowers

8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate Walking
View of Lagoa do Fogo

Steaming volcanic craters, spitting geysers and exotic plants are just some of the highlights of the hiking trip in the wonder world of the Azores. More than 1,000 kilometres from mainland Europe, nine larger and a few smaller islands form the Azores archipelago. Volcanic forces and grandiose landscapes make the Portuguese Atlantic Islands so worth seeing.

The best thing for hikers: the main island of São Miguel is great for hiking all year round. Lush greenery, diverse landscapes and huge craters are waiting to be discovered. Let us convince you that the peaceful way of life in the Azores are worth a visit. It is definitely worth it!

The archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic is characterised by an impressive landscape full of fishing villages, green meadows, blue hydrangea hedges and tea plantations. The subtropical and therefore rather mild climate offers hikers ideal conditions for extensive tours. Whether a circular hike right around the Furnas crater, where hot sulphur and fumarole springs can be admired. One highlight chases the next. In addition to the lively capital of Ponta Delgada, the circular hike Rota de Água is also on the schedule the day before the last. The so-called street of water is accompanied by an extraordinary network of water pipes. Definitely worth a visit! And since it also goes through some tunnels: take a torch with you!

  • Cidades volcano crater: With its two lakes, one green and one blue, the volcano crater always attracts numerous tourists. Visitors walk over a seven-arch bridge - which stands for the sunken city of Atlantis – and can see the spectacular natural phenomenon.
  • Capital Ponta Delgada: The special thing about the beautiful old town is that it was kept completely white. Impressive: the façade of the church in the centre of the capital.

You can travel for four hours a day on a unique hiking tour across the archipelago. You should have a solid base of fitness and sure-footedness on this route. Nevertheless, a large part of the hike is spread over quiet paths across the entire island.

Let yourself be enchanted by the impressions of the Azores Islands and take unforgettable memories home with you!

Itinerary at a glance

Hiking on the Azores is possible all year round. During your hikes, you'll encounter the volcanic crater of Cidades and its lakes or dense rainforests on the way to Pico da Vara. In Ponta Delgada, you'll be impressed by the architecture, especially the white old town.
Day
01
Arrival in Capelas

At the beginning of your walking holiday you discover the west of the island. The large volcanic crater Sete Cidades consists of a green and a blue crater lake. They are separated by a bridge with seven arches, representing the seven cities of the lost continent Atlantis. Enjoy the fabulous panorama. At the end you walk along the beautiful north shore past idyllic villages and little harbours.

Today you head for the very heart of the island, into the wonderful Furnas-Valley. In Gorreana you can visit one of the few remaining tea plantations before you continue on a spectacular coastal path to the traditional village of Maia. All the way you enjoy stunning views onto the norther shore of the island. You pass glistening river basins featuring historic watermills, on the beach of Praia da Viola roaring waterfalls line your way. Via transfer to Furnas.

Today’s stage runs directly inside the crater of Furnas, there you experience the active volcano of the island group at first glance: locals use the high ground temperatures to cook traditional dishes, everywhere you come across hot fumarole- and sulfur springs. Look forward to the Botanical Garden Terra Nostra with its romantic lakes, winding paths, exotic flowers, very old trees and swimming pools filled with thermal spring water, which we highly recommend visiting.

A short transfer takes you to the start of the walking tour, from where you will climb up the Pico da Vara. Your route leads you through the dense rainforest up to the highest point of the entire island, from there you walk along the ridge covered in colourful moorland, always accompanied by breath-taking panoramic views onto the entire island and the glistening sea. With a bit of luck, you may spot the indigenous bullfinch in the fir forests. Alternatively, hike along the south coast from Povoacao to Ribeira Quente, as the climb to Pico da Vara can be closed at times.

This walking tour leads you into the South of the island. Part of the route runs along Levada walking paths, enjoy the diverse flora. At the highest point of the hike you reach the most unusual and unspoilt lake of the island, Lagoa do Fogo.  It is surrounded by incredibly beautiful scenery and is situated at the foot of the volcanic crater Água de Pau. You spend the next two nights in Ponta Delgada, the lively capital of the Azores.

As a finale to your walking week you follow the „Rota de Agua“, the road of the water, along the enchanting „Janela do Inferno“, an unusual network of aqueducts situated amidst the dense forest. Afterwards a transfer takes you back to the capital where you have the afternoon at your own disposal and can do whatever you feel like, i.e. maybe a spectacular whale watching tour.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Moderate Walking

For the walking tours with walking times of up to 4 hours you only need a basic fitness level and in parts surefootedness. Most of the walking tours lead you along quiet paths spread across the entire island, that way you gather lots of impressions of the Azores-Island of São Miguel.

Prices & Dates

Category A: beautiful 3***- and 4****-hotels with pool, in Furnas 4****-hotel Terra Nostra
Category B: beautiful 3***- and 4****-hotels

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Transfers according to programm
  • Transfer from/to Ponta Delgada airport
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Whale watching on Day 7, approx. EUR 70 per person, reservation required, payable in advance.

Arrival / Departure

  • Ponta Delgada airport. Organised transfer to the start hotel in Capelas and return transfer from Ponta Delgada to the airport at the end of the tour. Transfers included in the tour price.  

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 2 people
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Terrra Nostra Park: For Cat. A free entrance, private access to the park and thermal baths from 16:30. For Cat. B entrance fee approx. EUR 10 per person, only public access during regular opening hours.
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

From our hiking blog

Christina Hofer

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