The Green Island of the Azores Archipelago

Day 1: Arrival in Ponta Delgada → Furnas
Day 2: Furnas Loop, 15 km (+400 m)
Day 3: Ribeira Funda – Praia da Viola – Gorreana, 10 km (+400 m)
Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo, 12 km (+500 m)
Day 5: Whale Watching
Day 6: Lagoa do Canário, 12 km (+400 m)
Day 7: Lagoa das Sete Cidades, 8 km (+100 m)
Day 8: Departure to Ponta Delgada

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as weather conditions or provisions issued by the local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way, you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork not reflected in your route book or GPS tracks. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.

Day 1: Arrival in Ponta Delgada, transfer to Furnas
After your arrival in São Miguel, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to Furnas (45 minutes). During your welcome briefing, your guide will review the itinerary, share practical information, and prepare you for the week ahead. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the hot springs, geothermal activity, and natural beauty of Furnas. You can visit the famous caldeiras, explore the lush Furnas Valley, or relax in the thermal baths before your hiking adventure begins.

Accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Alternative hotel: Octant Furnas
Transfer: Ponta Delgada Airport → Furnas (45 min)

Day 2: Furnas Loop (15 km, +400 m)
Begin your adventure with a beautiful loop hike around Lagoa das Furnas. This trail takes you through forests, lakeside pathways, and geothermal fields where the traditional cozido das Furnas is cooked underground using volcanic heat. The landscapes are tropical, serene, and rich in botanical diversity—perfect for a peaceful warm-up day in nature.

Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Alternative accommodation: Octant Furnas

Day 3: Ribeira Funda – Praia da Viola – Gorreana (10 km, +400 m)
A morning transfer (15–30 mins) brings you to the starting point of today’s coastal hike. The route leads through dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and forested paths before reaching Praia da Viola, one of São Miguel’s most beautiful hidden beaches. The journey continues to the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the oldest tea estate in Europe, where you can explore the factory and tea terraces. A short transfer (15 mins) returns you to Furnas.

Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Alternative accommodation: Octant Furnas

Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo – Ponta Delgada, 7 mi. (12 km)
After a 30-minute transfer to the trailhead, begin your ascent toward Lagoa do Fogo, a pristine crater lake surrounded by untouched volcanic scenery. The trail climbs through forested ridges before opening onto sweeping views of the lake. On the return, you'll pass the ruins of an old flax factory and the Segredo Waterfall. A 30-minute transfer brings you to Ponta Delgada for the night.

Elevation gain: 500 m
Preferred accommodation: Vila Galé Collection São Miguel
Alternative accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 5: Whale Watching – Ponta Delgada
Today offers a break from hiking as you join a whale-watching trip from Ponta Delgada Port, just a short walk from your hotel. The Azores are one of the best whale and dolphin observation sites in the world, with resident sperm whales, playful dolphins, and occasional migratory species. After returning to port, you can stroll through old-town Ponta Delgada at your leisure.

Preferred accommodation: Vila Galé Collection São Miguel
Alternative accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 6: Lagoa do Canário – Ponta Delgada, 7 mi. (12 km)
A morning transfer (30 mins) takes you to the starting point of this scenic hike into the Serra Devassa region, an area with the largest concentration of volcanic lakes on São Miguel Island. In addition to Lagoa do Canário, you can discover Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa, Lagoa das Empadadas, and Lagoa do Carvão. The atmospheric fog that often drifts across the ridges gives this walk a mystical feel. A 30-minute transfer returns you to Ponta Delgada.

Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Vila Galé Collection São Miguel

Day 7: Sete Cidades – Ponta Delgada, 5 mi. (8 km)
A 30-minute transfer brings you to Vista do Rei, the most iconic viewpoint in the Azores overlooking the Green and Blue Lakes of Sete Cidades. Your hike follows the crater rim with panoramic views of the caldera, lakes, and patchwork fields. You’ll pass quiet pastures and volcanic slopes before meeting your transfer back to Ponta Delgada.

Elevation gain: 100 m
Preferred accommodation: Vila Galé Collection São Miguel
Alternative accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 8: DepartureA
15-minute transfer will take you from your hotel to Ponta Delgada Airport, according to your departure schedule. You may extend your stay if you wish to continue exploring São Miguel or enjoy an additional hiking day.

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You will be accommodated in unique establishments in Rural Tourism or 3-star hotels. On the day-to-day itinerary, you will find the preferred hotels that are generally used on this tour. Due to limited hotel capacity, you might be booked in alternative accommodation. If this is necessary, similar accommodations will be offered close to the original location. The quality and character of the tour will not be affected.