Island Hopping in 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 in Sao Miguel

Arrive at your hotel in Sao Miguel.
Stay on São Miguel island

Day 2: Furnas to Lagoa das Furnas 13KM/8MI/3 HR

Take the bus (payable locally) 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.
Stay on São Miguel island

Day 3: Sete Cidades 15KM/9.5MI/4 HR

Take the bus (payable locally) to Sete Cidades, 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.
Stay on São Miguel island

Day 4: Praia to Lagoa do Fogo 14KM/9MI/4 HR

Take the bus (payable locally) to Praia. 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.
Stay on São Miguel island

Day 5: Sao Jorge

Explore historic Ponta Delgada before departing Sao Miguel and flying to Sao Jorge, one of the greenest of the islands.
Stay on São Jorge sland

Day 6: Serra do Topo to Faja dos Cubres 9KM/6 MI/4 HR

A real ‘must do’ walk with great variety from misty hills, lush ravines and waterfalls to high cliffs and an insight to life on the Fajas. Plenty of places to linger by the sea for a picnic so be generous with your time in arranging return transport.
Stay on São Jorge sland

Day 7: Parque Sete Fontes to Ponta de Rosais 11KM/7MI/3HR

An easy walk, through meadowlands to the lighthouse at the far end of São Jorge, the views from the cliffs are spectacular. Sit here for a picnic and feel the real remoteness of these islands, with possible sightings of dolphins and whales.
Stay on São Jorge island

Day 8: Pico 11KM/7MI/3HR

Take the ferry over to Pico and, time-permitting, enjoy an easy walk down the lower slopes of Mount Pico with interesting lava tunnels at the start and superb views over to Faial. Or you can opt for a more adventurous walk to the top of Mount Pico (2351m) guide compulsory, best arranged in advance.
Stay on Pico sland

Day 9: Lagao do Capitao to Sao Roque 9KM/6MI/4HR

Take a half day whale watching (optional extra) or take the following walk. This is a stunning walk but with mostly descents down to sea level. The first section is very easy amongst wild scenery contrasting with the second half which is mainly down through interesting vegetation and forest leading to the picturesque village of Sao Roque. This could be a superb full day walk using your extra time to explore Sao Roque, visiting its Whaling Museum and maybe having a swim in the sea.
Stay on Pico island

Day 10: Horta to Rocha da Faja 6KM/4MI/3HR

Transfer to the port of Madalana for the ferry across to Horta on Faial, check in to your hotel and take one of our walks to Rocha da Faja. This short walk is ideal as an introduction to the Fajas of the Azores.
Stay on Faial island

Day 11: Caldera to Parque Florestal do Capelo 13KM/8MI/4.5HR

In good weather this is the highlight of walking on Faial. Walk around the rim of a volcano (dormant), the Caldeira crater, it is breathtaking along with views over Faial and to the ocean and islands in the distance.
Stay on Faial island

Day 12: Capelo to Capelinhos 7KM/4.5 MI/3HR

This walk is superb with stunning views and an opportunity to explore two crater rims, ending at the Museum in Capelinhos showing the history of the Capelinhos eruption, which only happened just over 60 years ago. Then take an afternoon or evening flight to Santa Maria.
Stay on Santa Maria island

Day 13: Vila to Praia 7KM/4.5MI/4HR

Today is an exhilarating walk, first along the cliffs then the sea edge for the last section of the walk. It is a dream for amateur geologists and botanists with the fascinating rock formations and the profusion of plants, beautiful flowers and butterflies.
Stay on Santa Maria island

Day 14: Pico Alto to Anjos 11KM/7MI/3HR

Your final walk goes along the western end of the north coast and goes through lovely woodland and past the Desert, almost 8 sq km of red clay caused by pyroclastic activity. You can visit viewpoints and a picturesque isolated bay, go through fields, round a headland and along cliff tops, finally emerging into the pretty little town of Anjos where there is an imposing statue of Columbus who returned here, having discovered the New World.
Stay on Santa Maria island

Day 15: Depart Santa Maria