Walking the Green Island of the Azores

Walking information

Walks are along dirt tracks (both broad and narrow) and minor roads with tarmac or gravel. Footpaths are marked reasonably well.

Day 1: ARRIVE ON SAO MIGUEL

Arrive in Ponta Delgada and your base for 7 nights.

Day 2: SETE CIDADES (14km/8.7mi)

Take the bus to Sete Cidades (not included), set within the volcanic crater containing Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, a must on any visit to Sao Miguel. One route takes you up to the crater rim on the west side of the lakes, finally descending to the small village of Joao Bom.

Day 3: FURNAS TO LAGOA DAS FURNAS (14km/8.7mi)

Take the bus (not included) to Furnas and walk to the Lagoa das Furnas. The walk starts and finishes in the attractive village of Furnas, with an optional extra walk round the village at the end. Confirmation of the volcanic origins of São Miguel is nowhere more evident than here. The picturesque Parque Terra Nostra is in the village centre, together with thermal baths.

Day 4: REST DAY

Take a day to relax, or you could book a boat trip to try and spot some whales and dolphins.

Day 5: NINE WINDOWS WALL (11km/6.8mi)

Take a short taxi ride (not included) to Nine Windows Wall where the route takes you around the east and north sides of the crater rim of the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. After only a short climb the track undulates along the ridge, affording splendid views on both sides. An option exists to extend the walk to cover the west rim as well as far as Vista do Rei, and then descend past Lagoa Verde to the village.

Day 6: PRAIA TO LAGOA DO FOGO (13km/8.1mi)

Take the bus to Praia (not included). This walk takes you from almost sea level, steeply uphill across meadows, through dense woodland, alongside a levada (water channel), and finally over heather covered mountainside to arrive at the remote shore of Lagoa do Fogo, the highest lake of Sao Miguel.

Day 7: LOMBA DA CRUZ TO MOSTEIROS (14km/8.7mi)

Take the bus to Lomba da Cruz (not included). This is a real roller coaster of a route, basically parallel with the main west coast road westwards, but lower and nearer the sea. The views are best from Ginetes, and at Ponta do Esclavado.

Day 8: DEPARTURE FROM SAO MIGUEL

Depart from your hotel after breakfast.