The Azores have always fascinated me, and last year I finally decided to visit this green gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Over the course of two weeks, we explored São Miguel, Terceira, and Faial. And it’s really true: these islands are a true hiker’s paradise.
What makes hiking in the Azores so special? The volcanic landscapes, lush nature, and well-maintained trails make every adventure unique. In this blog, I’ll share my favorite hiking routes, helpful tips, and experiences.
The Azores consist of nine islands, each with its own unique character and countless hiking opportunities. What they all have in common is their unspoiled nature and peaceful atmosphere. During your hikes, you’ll walk past crater lakes, through ancient forests, and over volcanic peaks with breathtaking views.
The Azores are the first archipelago in the world to have earned the international certificate for sustainable destinations, awarded by an organization accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. They are constantly striving to improve in order to meet their goals and enhance sustainability.
The archipelago is an autonomous region of Portugal; the official language is Portuguese, but with a different pronunciation. The dialect, whose sounds are reminiscent of French, is called Micaelense. English is also generally spoken very well on the islands.
During our trip, we tried out a few hikes, and these are my absolute favorites.
Distance: 11 km | Duration: 4 hours | Difficulty: moderate
This hike was one of the highlights of my trip. The trail takes you to the impressive crater lake, Lagoa do Fogo. We started the hike early in the morning, which was a smart move: the sky was clear, and the view of the lake was phenomenal.
The trail is well marked, but some sections are challenging. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water.
Tip: Use the SpotAzores app to check if visibility is clear at attractions such as Lagoa do Fogo.
Distance: 4.5 km | Duration: 2 hours | Difficulty: moderate
This trail starts in Faial da Terra and takes you through the abandoned village of Sanguinho, eventually ending at the beautiful Salto do Prego waterfall. It felt almost magical to walk through the dense vegetation and suddenly come upon the waterfall.
Bring your swimsuit—a dip in the ice-cold water is wonderfully refreshing.
Distance: 8 km | Duration: 3 hours | Difficulty: moderate
On Faial, we walked around the impressive Caldeira, a massive crater with a diameter of 2 kilometers. The trail runs along the crater rim and offers spectacular views. On a clear day, you can even see the islands of Pico and São Jorge.
Distance: 7 km | Duration: 2.5 hours | Difficulty: easy
Monte Brasil, an extinct volcano, offers a leisurely hike with stunning views of the city of Angra do Heroísmo. This hike is perfect for a quiet day, and it’s especially beautiful here at sunset.
Other beautiful hikes in the Azores include:
Distance: 9.5 km (loop) | Duration: 3 hours | Difficulty: easy
A leisurely walk around Lake Furnas, where you’ll pass through geothermal areas.
Distance: 1.4 km (round trip) | Duration: 1 hour | Difficulty: easy
This short trail takes you to the peaceful Lagoa do Congro, surrounded by lush greenery.
Distance: 2.1 km | Duration: 1.5 hours | Difficulty: easy
The route takes you past historic sites related to the island’s early electricity production. Interesting sights and beautiful views.
Distance: 3.4 km (loop) | Duration: 1.5 hours | Difficulty: easy
Take a walk through Europe’s oldest tea plantation, enjoy the view of the vast tea fields, and learn about tea cultivation on São Miguel. Read more about this walk and about São Miguel.
It takes some planning and preparation if you want to go island-hopping in the Azores. That’s because not all of the islands are connected by boat. Ferry routes change with the seasons. Book your ferry crossings or flights in advance so you don’t run into any surprises regarding price or accessibility.
By boat: all the information about boat tickets, current services, and schedules.
By plane: Azores Airlines offers flights between all the islands of the Azores, but it’s also possible to use ferry services between the islands of the Western Azores (Corvo and Flores) and the Central Azores (Pico, Faial, Terceira, Graciosa, and São Jorge). Check their website for current flights and schedules between the islands.
Our tips for sustainable accommodations in the Azores:
As for transportation on each island, you can take scheduled buses on the main routes on São Miguel and Terceira, but these generally won’t take you to the sights or trailheads.
The easiest way to explore the islands is to rent a car. There are several car rental companies, but we chose AutAtlantis. When signing the rental agreement, we opted for the “Super Relax Pack,” which reduces the deductible to a maximum of €100.
The Azores are surrounded by a unique ecosystem with nutrient-rich waters, where you can spot 28 species of whales and dolphins, including bottlenose dolphins, as well as whales that pass through the Azores during their migrations, such as spotted dolphins, sperm whales, and even blue whales, which are most commonly seen toward the end of winter.
Traditional whaling gave way to “whale-watching” long ago. The best time to spot whales is from May through September. If you don’t want to go out to sea, you can visit one of the information centers or try to spot them from one of the observation towers.
An excursion starts at around €60 per person and is generally conducted using a Zodiac, but you can also choose to go out on the water on a catamaran or fiberglass boat. Before you set out, you’ll receive a briefing about the ocean, what you can expect to see (no guarantee you’ll see anything!), and a review of the safety procedures. The excursion lasts about 3 hours.
São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, and Faial are the best islands for a whale-watching tour. You can book the tour on-site.
Met een passie voor reizen en fotografie én meer dan 30 jaar ervaring in de reisbranche, deel ik graag mijn bijzondere natuur-reistips. Reizen is heerlijk en belangrijk, je ontmoet nieuwe mensen en culturen en het opent je blik op de wereld.
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Laat je inspireren
Ben je op zoek naar de mooiste wandel- en fietsroutes? Of wil je informatie over reizen met de trein of advies voor de mooiste roadtrips door de natuur. Laat je inspireren voor je volgende reis in het groen; ideeën om je eigen reis te plannen of te kiezen voor een georganiseerde reis.
