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€1275 Rates
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 is 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, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 3: Graminhais - Pico da Vara - Gorreana Tea Factory, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 5: Pico da Vara, Whale Watching
Day 6: Lagoa do Canário, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 7: Lagoa das Sete Cicades, 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: Octant Hotels Furnas
Day 2: Furnas loop, 9 mi. (15 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 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: Octant Hotels FurnasDay 3: Graminhais - Pico da Vara - Gorreana Tea Factory, 6 mi. (10 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! After the walk, you will visit the oldest tea plantation in Europe and discover the secrets of this wonderful product that since 1983 kept the original traditions. A 40-minute transfer will take you back to the Furnas Valley for the night.Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Octant Hotels FurnasDay 4: Pico da Vara - Lagoa do Fogo, 7 mi. (12 km)
Today, after a short 30-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 30-minute transfer will then take you to your next accommodation. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.Elevation gain: 500 m
Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze RibeiroDay 5: Pico da Vara, Whale Watching
Take a break today and instead of exploring the land, explore the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. The meeting point is within walking distance from your hotel (15 mins) and here you have the perfect opportunity to head out to the sea and to do some whale watching (3 hours), and hopefully see other species of cetaceans too. The sea life in the 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: Casa Hintze Ribeiro
Day 6: Lagoa do Canário - Ponte Delgada, 7 mi. (12 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 (30 mins) 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 30-minute transfer back to Ponta Delgada will end the day.Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze RibeiroDay 7: Lagoa das Sete Cicades, 5 mi. (8 km)
It will take only 30 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 45 minutes by car. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.Elevation gain: 100 m
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.
Map
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)
- Whale watching on Day 5 (3 hours)
- Route information & tour packet (maps, daily descriptions)
- GPS tracks (to download to your own device/phone)
- 24-hour support telephone number
- Support vehicle
- 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
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
- Activities not mentioned
- City taxes (in some locations €0-3 per person per night)(payabe locally)
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2024
Daily arrivals possible
Low season: January 4 to March 24, & October 29 to December 15, 2024
Mid season: April 1 to May 26, & September 27 to October 28, 2024
High season: March 25 to March 31, & September 15 to September 26, 2024
* June 26 to September 14, 2024: Pricing on requestSelf-guided
Twin/double Single suppl.* Solo traveler suppl. Low season $ 2119 £ 1119 $ 1,917 € 1275 kr 195604 ₪ 5225 ¥ 218362 Mex$ 23522 NZ$ 2329 NOK 15199 zł 5601 S$ 1899 kr 15229 $ 1,402 $ 765 £ 404 $ 692 € 460 kr 70571 ₪ 1885 ¥ 78782 Mex$ 8487 NZ$ 840 NOK 5484 zł 2021 S$ 685 kr 5494 $ 506 $ 831 £ 439 $ 752 € 500 kr 76708 ₪ 2049 ¥ 85632 Mex$ 9224 NZ$ 913 NOK 5960 zł 2196 S$ 745 kr 5972 $ 550 Mid season $ 2618 £ 1383 $ 2,369 € 1575 kr 241629 ₪ 6455 ¥ 269741 Mex$ 29057 NZ$ 2877 NOK 18776 zł 6919 S$ 2346 kr 18812 $ 1,732 $ 1097 £ 579 $ 993 € 660 kr 101254 ₪ 2705 ¥ 113034 Mex$ 12176 NZ$ 1205 NOK 7868 zł 2899 S$ 983 kr 7883 $ 726 $ 831 £ 439 $ 752 € 500 kr 76708 ₪ 2049 ¥ 85632 Mex$ 9224 NZ$ 913 NOK 5960 zł 2196 S$ 745 kr 5972 $ 550 High season $ 2701 £ 1427 $ 2,444 € 1625 kr 249299 ₪ 6660 ¥ 278305 Mex$ 29980 NZ$ 2968 NOK 19372 zł 7138 S$ 2421 kr 19409 $ 1,787 $ 1579 £ 834 $ 1,429 € 950 kr 145744 ₪ 3893 ¥ 162701 Mex$ 17526 NZ$ 1735 NOK 11325 zł 4173 S$ 1415 kr 11347 $ 1,044 $ 831 £ 439 $ 752 € 500 kr 76708 ₪ 2049 ¥ 85632 Mex$ 9224 NZ$ 913 NOK 5960 zł 2196 S$ 745 kr 5972 $ 550 Single supplement - single traveler booked with a group
Solo traveler - single traveler traveling aloneSupported
Requires a minimum of 6 participants Pricing on request Guided
Requires a minimum of 6 participants Pricing on request * 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: $ 83 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7671 ₪ 205 ¥ 8563 Mex$ 922 NZ$ 91 NOK 596 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 597 $ 55 Extra nights: on request
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- 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 8-15 km, and an 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 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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