Azores

Hiking

After either gathering at the meeting point or being collected from your accommodation, you will make your way to Parque da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, located in the north-east part of the island. It takes around 45 minutes to drive from Ponta Delgada. The half-day tour takes approximately 3 hours. During this time you will have the possibility of doing rappels, jumps, slides and rock slides. The highest rappel will be 15 meters, with the highest jump being around 6 meters. There will be some time for the equipment distribution with the help of your guides, before you take a short hike in order to approach the stream followed by a security briefing. On average it is about a 20 to 35-minute hike, depending on the pace of the group. Throughout the full-day option you will stop for a picnic, later finishing the tour by returning back to town by car.

Explore the impressive landscapes and amazing panoramas on a hiking trip to São Miguel. Bathe in the natural pools in the stunning Lagoon of Lagoa do Fogo. Start your trail on a short dirt road, that will lead you to Lagoa do Fogo. Bathe in the pools of Lagoa, in the thermal baths of Caldeira Velha, or in the grandiose waterfall of Salto do Cabrito. Get stunning panoramic views of Lago do Fogo and the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel while traveling along “Cumeeira Norte”. Pass through several small streams surrounded by incredibly green and untouched forests, before reaching the characteristic pumice-stone beach of the lagoon. Enjoy a pleasant picnic lunch of regional products. Return to the starting point while enjoying another perspective of the south coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the bathing zone of Caloura, or Agua D’Alto Beach, where you can practice snorkeling.

Savor a hiking trip through nature on Lomba de São Pedro’s Moinho do Félix Waterfalls Trail. Listen to cascading rivers and waterfalls and encounter historical structures. Tour a working tea farm where you'll be able to sample their products.  Enjoy coastal views at the start of the hike. Descend to the Cascata do Homem waterfall before an uphill hike through the forest. The trail weaves through the trees before reaching the Moinho do Félix watermill at the base of Cascata do Teófilo. Find some peace and quiet walking to the Cascata da Gruta. This waterfall also features a natural pool called Poço da Truta. From there, head back to the village and pass by many of the springs which once supplied the residents with water. From the village, ride out to the family-run Chá Gorreana Tea Factory and Plantation. It is both the oldest and only such facility in Europe. Discover the whole process that brings tea from the plantation to your cup then taste it for yourself. End the tour with a stop at one of the beaches along the Northern Coast. Relax and enjoy the distinctly dark sands of the island. Listen to the ocean waves crash nearby before returning to your hotel.

Whether you're an experienced traveler or first-time adventurer, have a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a canyoning adventure in Ribeira da Salga. Visit one of the most astonishing places in the northeast part of the island of Sao Miguel, located between Lomba de S.Pedro and Salga parishes. Start your adventure with a quick security briefing and equipment distribution.  Afterward take a half-hour hike towards the location where you'll be able to jump, slide, and rappel down gorgeous water streams into crystal-clear natural pools. The highest rappel can go up to 16 meters, and the highest jump up to around 8 meters. If you are uncomfortable about jumping other options are available.

Relax and disconnect in a beautiful setting in this morning canyoning adventure in Salto do Cabrito. Explore the natural side of São Miguel Island hiking and canyoning through lush forests and cool streams.  Meet the guide in central Ponta Delgada or arrange pick up from your accommodation and travel in an air-conditioned van 20 minutes to Salto do Cabrito. Hike 30 minutes to the stream where an experienced guide will give a security briefing and distribute all the equipment needed for the activity. Once suited and ready to go, spend a few hours exploring the pools and waterfalls. For those who dare, there will be an opportunity to finish the tour with a 4-meter jump. A zipline is also available for those who'd prefer flying to jumping.

This tour gives you the unique opportunity to get to know São Miguel island as much as possible during a short stay. The tour will start early going in direction to Vista do Rei where you can enjoy the view over the Sete Cidades Lakes. From there the tour will take you up into the mountains to enjoy the view over the gorgeous Lagoa do Fogo. Then you will venture back down the mountains for a visit to Caldeira Velha, a protected nature reserve, where you will have the option to enjoy a bath in the warm water from a waterfall. The journey will then take you to the viewpoint of Santa Iria where you can see the gorgeous northern coast. Following the coastal views, you will visit the Gorreana tea plantation and its factory, where you can taste two different kinds of tea: black and green. The tour will continue on where you will be able to enjoy the amazing view over Furnas’ valley, and a stop will be made at Pico de Ferro’s viewpoint. Arriving in Furnas Village you will see some volcanic phenomena, known as fumaroles. You will then be able to have some lunch and eat the delicious famous Cozido das Furnas (or Furnas Stew), a gastronomic dish of Azores. After lunch, a stop in the Furnas Lake to see how the famous stew is cooked, then take a walk near the beautiful lake. Returning to Ponta Delgada and passing by Vila Franca do Campo, the first capital of São Miguel, located in the south coast, a last stop will be made at Ermida da Nossa Senhora Paz to enjoy the view to the famous Ilheú da Vila Franca. The tour will finish at your hotel or at the harbor.

Discover the volcanos and volcanic caves of Terceira Island on this geology lover's guided tour. Visit Algar do Carvão, Furnas do Enxofre and Gruta do Natal with an expert guide. Meet your guide and driver for pick-up at your hotel and head to the first stop on the tour — the inactive Algar do Carvão. Visit it from the inside and discover its small lake and fascinating geological formations. Next head to Furnas do Enxofre, a small strip of land with 20 fumaroles expelling white vapor into the air. You'll also see native flora like the Azores juniper and the Azores blueberry. Top off your tour with a visit to Gruta do Natal (Christmas Cave), a system of caves known as a lava tube, full of spectacular volcanic formations.

Discover all of São Miguel Island's west coast in one day on this guided tour. Enjoy scenic views as you visit small lakes, exclusive viewpoints, a pineapple plantation, and Sete Cidades. Learn the history behind the landscapes you explore. Start your trip with a pickup from your hotel. Meet your expert guide who will be with you along your adventure. Start learning the history and nature of the Azores archipelago. Then, head straight to Sete Cidades, enjoying amazing views of the island along the ride. Stop at the islet's viewpoints and immerse yourself in nature as you roam and visit the lakeside. The Sete Cidades lagoon will be the main attraction of the tour, but there will be plenty of additional stops and sights that you can enjoy along the way.

Take in stunning panoramic views over a few different lakes as you embark on a half-day hike. Explore Sete Cidades lake, Canário lake, Empadadas and more along the way. Learn about local geology, history, culture and discover the hydrographic basin of Sete Cidades volcanic complex. Along the trail, you will come across numerous lakes, with different characteristics and it is here that we find the highest point of Sete Cidades, Pico das Éguas. Get a briefing next to Lagoa do Canário and follow the trail and enjoy Lagoa das Éguas, Pico das Éguas and Lagoa Rasa. Hear about the importance of watercourses for the municipality of Ponta Delgada and the endemic vegetation that exists in this place from your guide. Pass by Lagoa do Canário and Grota do Inferno viewpoint and discover interesting facts about the Caldera of Sete Cidades and the lagoons that compose it. Have you heard about the legend of Sete Cidades lake? On this walk, you will also have the opportunity to stop at the Vista do Rei viewpoint, probably the most famous in this municipality.

Venture to village of village of Sete Cidades which is nestled in a volcanic crater on this van tour on São Miguel. Enjoy this scenic location with a picnic lunch and the provided hiking poles and snorkeling masks. Hike to a viewpoint and take a relaxing dip in the natural thermal pool at Ferraria. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation and sit back and relax on the drive to quaint village of Sete Cidades. Have the option to venture out onto the calm waters of the twin lakes with a stand up paddle board rental, or rent an e-bike for ride along the banks. Make your way to the crater rim with a hiking trip to the Vista do Rei viewpoint which has panoramic views of the crater and the surrounding area. Stroll through Lagoa do Canario Park and take a look out over Boca D’Inferno. Savor a delicious picnic lunch in a natural setting. Finish your tour with a relaxing dip in the thermal waters of the natural pool of Ferraria. Return to your accommodation at the end of your tour.