The Green Island of the Azores Archipelago
Portugal Hiking + Walking Tours
A walk on São Miquel Island, Portugal
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1059 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Discover on foot the jewel of the Atlantic, the largest island of the Azores archipelago, São Miguel Island. The island is known as the "Green Island" for a reason!
Hike through diversity in landscapes and nature: the lush Azorean vegetation, bubbling shallow craters, and crater lakes. You will also find the only tea plantations in all of Europe and be able to observe both whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
All of this topped off with some wonderful dives off beautiful black sand beaches and the natural warm baths of the Furnas Valley.
This tour can be booked as a guided or self-guided holiday.
Highlights
- Serra Devassa, the area with the largest number of lagoons of São Miguel Island
- Pico da Vara, São Miguel Island’s highest point
- Whale and dolphin watching with a specialist
- Mesmerizing lagoons across the island
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ponta Delgada
Day 2: Furnas loop, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 3: Furnas - Vila Franca, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 4: Pico da Vara, Whale Watching
Day 5: Lagoa do Fogo, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 6: Lagoa das Sete Cicades, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 7: Lagoa do Canário, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll 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
On the day of your arrival, our local representative will welcome you at the airport of Ponta Delgada and transfer you to your accommodation. Transfer time is approx. 50 minutes. Once you check-in, you can rest, recover, and prepare for the next days. Depending on your arrival time, if you would like, you may be able to go to "Casa do Chá", the only place in Europe where Camellia, a plant from which tea is produced, is cultivated and processed. Taste the delicious local tea and enjoy the landscape around you. Overnight in the Furnas Valley.Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden
Day 2: Furnas loop, 8 mi. (13 km)
The first day of your adventure will start at Furnas, which is located inside a volcano in the center of São Miguel Island. While you walk around the Furnas Lake, where steaming and bubbling “caldeiras” can be observed, take your time to explore it and even take a swim in the warm and therapeutic waters. Terra Nostra Park, known for its 200-year-old trees, is located right at the beginning of your track and can also be a beautiful place to spend some time. Overnight in the Furnas Valley.Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra GardenDay 3: Furnas - Vila Franca, 7 mi. (12 km)
After a short 15-minute transfer, you will depart for the ascent of the Pico da Vara (the highest point of São Miguel Island at 1105m) and later go to the Pico do Carvalho (950 m). These paths were used in the past by the "elders" to access the forest where they produced charcoal and kept livestock. This route crosses a regulated protection zone, where, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the Azores Bullfinch, an endangered species that is unique to this island! A 40-minute transfer will take you to your hotel in Vila Franca.Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Convento São FranciscoDay 4: Pico da Vara, Whale Watching
Take a break today and instead of exploring the land, explore the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. The meeting point is walking distance from your hotel and here you have the perfect opportunity to head out to the sea and to do some whale watching, and hopefully see other species of cetaceans too. The sea life in Azores is very rich due to its location in the middle of the Atlantic. There is a possibility to see 27 species of marine mammals. Overnight in Vila Franca.Preferred accommodation: Convento São Francisco
Day 5: Pico da Vara - Lagoa do Fogo, 7 mi. (12 km)
Today, after a short 10-minute transfer, you will start with a climb through a forest of eucalyptus, pittosporum, and acacias and follow a stream before reaching the shore of Lagoa do Fogo. This hike offers superb views of the southern coast of São Miguel, Vila Franca do Campo and its islet, and the Ribeira da Praia. Note that this course is carried out entirely in an area classified as a Natural Reserve. It is everyone's responsibility to contribute to its protection and to guarantee its biodiversity by conserving this natural habitat. A 25-minute transfer will then take you to your next accommodation. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.Elevation gain: 500 m
Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze RibeiroDay 6: Lagoa das Sete Cicades, 7 mi. (12 km)
It will take only 25 minutes to get to the start of today's adventure which is a hike around the Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Here you will discover one of the most beautiful “caldeiras” of the Azores. Two lakes, Blue Lagoon and Green Lagoon (Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde) are nestled in the huge crater of this volcano, offering an impressive and surprising landscape to be enjoyed and appreciated. It is the most popular natural place on the island and a great location to hike. The return to the hotel will take 35 minutes by car. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.Elevation gain: 100 m
Accommodation: Casa Hintze RibeiroDay 7: Lagoa do Canário - Ponte Delgada, 5 mi. (8 km)
In the morning, you will have free time in Ponta Delgada to visit the market, the cathedral, and the alleys of its old merchant port. Later you will be transferred (25 min) to the starting point of this day's hike, from which you will climb up the Serra Devassa, an area with the largest number of lagoons on São Miguel Island. In addition to Lagoa do Canário, you can discover Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa, and Lagoa do Carvão, among many others! This fantastic walk around volcanic lakes and along the ridges is sometimes accompanied by fog which gives it a special atmosphere. A 25-minute transfer back to Ponta Delgada will end the day.Elevation gain: 200 m
Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze RibeiroDay 8: Departure
Your splendid tour has come to an end. You will have a 15-minute transfer back to the airport.You can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Accommodation
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.
Inclusions
What’s Included
All Tour Types Include:
- Accommodations for 7 nights
- Breakfasts
- Transfer Day 1: Ponta Delgada Airport to hotel
- Transfer Day 7: Hotel to Ponta Delgada Airport
- Transfers during the tour
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing at first hotel (English)
- Route information & tour packet (maps, daily descriptions)
- GPS tracks (to download to your own device/phone)
- Mobile telephone for emergencies (free to call our local tour operator 24h/day)
- Mobile telephone for emergencies (free to call our local tour operator 24h/day)
- Support vehicle (up to 8 people)
- Lunches or picnics
- Dinners
- Entrances to any excursions mentioned
- Tour guide
- Support vehicle (up to 8 people)
- Lunches or picnics
- Dinners
- Entrances to any excursions mentioned
Self-Guided Tour Also Includes
Supported Tour Also Includes
Guided Tour Also Includes
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals not mentioned as included
- All beverages with included lunches or dinners
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2021
Daily arrivals possible
Low season: January 1 up to & including March 28; November 1 up to & including December 23, 2021
Midseason: April 5 up to & including May 26, 2021
High season: March 29 up to & including April 4 (Easter); May 27 up to & including June 26; September 27 up to & including October 31, 2021
Peak season: June 27 up to & Including September 26, 2021Self-guided
Twin/double Single suppl.* Solo traveler suppl. Low season $ 1660 £ 934 $ 1,657 € 1059 NZ$ 1793 kr 10867 $ 1,314 $ 406 £ 228 $ 405 € 259 NZ$ 439 kr 2658 $ 321 $ 249 £ 140 $ 249 € 159 NZ$ 269 kr 1632 $ 197 Midseason $ 1974 £ 1110 $ 1,970 € 1259 NZ$ 2132 kr 12919 $ 1,562 $ 484 £ 273 $ 484 € 309 NZ$ 523 kr 3171 $ 383 $ 249 £ 140 $ 249 € 159 NZ$ 269 kr 1632 $ 197 High season $ 2052 £ 1155 $ 2,048 € 1309 NZ$ 2217 kr 13432 $ 1,624 $ 531 £ 299 $ 530 € 339 NZ$ 574 kr 3479 $ 421 $ 249 £ 140 $ 249 € 159 NZ$ 269 kr 1632 $ 197 Peak season
$ 2272 £ 1278 $ 2,267 € 1449 NZ$ 2454 kr 14868 $ 1,798 $ 751 £ 422 $ 750 € 479 NZ$ 811 kr 4915 $ 594 $ 249 £ 140 $ 249 € 159 NZ$ 269 kr 1632 $ 197 * Single suppl. discount from June 27 up to and including July 26, 2021: $ 219 £ 123 $ 219 € 140 NZ$ 237 kr 1437 $ 174
Single supplement - single traveler booked with a group
Solo traveler - single traveler traveling aloneSupported
Twin/double Single suppl.* Requires a minimum of 6 participants** Low season $ 2397 £ 1349 $ 2,393 € 1529 NZ$ 2589 kr 15689 $ 1,897 $ 406 £ 228 $ 405 € 259 NZ$ 439 kr 2658 $ 321 Midseason $ 2711 £ 1525 $ 2,705 € 1729 NZ$ 2928 kr 17742 $ 2,145 $ 484 £ 273 $ 484 € 309 NZ$ 523 kr 3171 $ 383 High season $ 2789 £ 1569 $ 2,784 € 1779 NZ$ 3012 kr 18255 $ 2,207 $ 531 £ 299 $ 530 € 339 NZ$ 574 kr 3479 $ 421
Peak season
$ 3008 £ 1693 $ 3,003 € 1919 NZ$ 3249 kr 19691 $ 2,381
$ 751 £ 422 $ 750 € 479 NZ$ 811 kr 4915 $ 594 Guided
Twin/double Single suppl.* Requires a minimum of 6 participants** Low season $ 2820 £ 1587 $ 2,815 € 1799 NZ$ 3046 kr 18460 $ 2,232 $ 406 £ 228 $ 405 € 259 NZ$ 439 kr 2658 $ 321 Midseason $ 3134 £ 1763 $ 3,128 € 1999 NZ$ 3385 kr 20512 $ 2,480 $ 484 £ 273 $ 484 € 309 NZ$ 523 kr 3171 $ 383 High season $ 3212 £ 1807 $ 3,206 € 2049 NZ$ 3470 kr 21025 $ 2,542 $ 531 £ 299 $ 530 € 339 NZ$ 574 kr 3479 $ 421 Peak season
$ 3432 £ 1931 $ 3,425 € 2189 NZ$ 3707 kr 22462 $ 2,716 $ 751 £ 422 $ 750 € 479 NZ$ 811 kr 4915 $ 594 * Single suppl. discount from June 27 up to and including July 26, 2021: $ 219 £ 123 $ 219 € 140 NZ$ 237 kr 1437 $ 174 ** For supported and guided tours, please do not hesitate to ask if there is an existing group forming on any given date as when possible, you can join with others.
Extra Options
Preloaded Garmin Oregon Device: $ 118 £ 66 $ 117 € 75 NZ$ 127 kr 770 $ 93
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This tour is rated easy to moderate with a daily distance of between 8 - 13 km, and elevation gain of 100 - 500 m. It is designed for those who participate in hiking on a regular basis and assumes that you arrive physically prepared for the distances. You will encounter an undulating terrain and will follow designated hiking trails.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start in Furnas and tour end in Ponta Delgada is Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL), located 5 kilometers west of downtown Ponta Delgada, on the island of Sao Miguel.
Local Travel
Included in your tour are arrival and departure airport transfers.
Climate
Located in the temperate area of the Northern Hemisphere, and due to the warm water Gulf Stream, the Azores are characterized by their mild climate throughout the year making it a great year-round destination. Clouds and rain are a possibility any time, although the summer between June and October has longer periods of sunshine and higher temperatures. During the winter months, the average temperatures can hover around mid-50s F (14 C) while in the summer months in the 70s F (22 C). The months to avoid based on weather alone would be from November to February as temperatures are lower and rain can become an issue. If that is the only time you can travel, then please do! Below you will find the monthly weather averages for the area.
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. Please be advised that it is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Extra Stay
You can extend your stay before or after your tour or during the itinerary. Just ask.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Portugal Nature Trails.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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