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Portugal: The Azores

Walking the Green Island of the Azores

Trip code: W07AS

Average customer rating 5.0 / 5(4 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Walking
7 nights single centre
Moderate
CO₂ rating 1/5
Headwater Navigation app

Trip highlights

Explore the ‘Green Island’ famous for beautiful landscapes and exceptional volcanic lakes

Stunning coastline of small black sand bays and precipitous sea cliffs with striking sea views

Visit Europe’s only tea and pineapple plantations on a rest day

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Trip details

It is hard to believe that the Azores are part of Europe. Born from the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, this lush green archipelago of volcanic islands is a far cry from continental Portugal. The nine Islands of the Azores are Europe’s western most point located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores have long been known as one of the most scenically varied areas to explore, each of the nine islands has its own characteristics, from steep craters to abundant wildlife and sites of historical interest. The islands of the Azores are a paradise for walkers and nature lovers with their blue lakes bordered by flowers, dazzling views of the sea from high in the hills and lush green landscapes of ancient volcanic craters,

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights in 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Group c air-conditioned hire car included

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Travel insurance

Travel options

Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive on Sao Miguel

Arrive on Sao Miguel

Arrive in Ponta Delgada and your base for 7 nights.

You stay at Hotel Talisman

Hotel Talisman - Exterior

Hotel Talisman

Ponta Delgada

  • Air conditioning
  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Other email access
  • Safe
  • Swimming pool
  • Tea & coffee
  • Television
  • Visa cards

The charming Hotel Talisman is an Art Deco Boutique hotel located in the historical centre of Ponta Delgada. The rooms are large with comfortable beds. The partially covered outdoor swimming pool offers stunning views over the city, ocean and mountains. The Palm Terrace Restaurant has two modern dining rooms with an outdoor terrace serving seafood and Portuguese cuisine. There is also a Skylight Bar and Lounge where you can enjoy an after dinner drink.

Day 2 · 16km/9.9mi or 8km/5.0miSete Cidades Walk

Sete Cidades Walk

Follow the coastal road to Sete Cidades, set within the volcanic crater containing Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, a must on any visit to Sao Miguel. Head up to the Vista do Rei viewpoint before returning the way you came.

Elevation

Sete Cidades Walk elevation profile

Day 3 · 14km/8.7miFurnas to Lagoa da Furnas

Furnas to Lagoa da Furnas

Head 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 Sao Miguel is nowhere more evident than here. The picturesque Parque Terra Nostra is in the village centre, together with thermal baths.

Elevation

Furnas to Lagoa da Furnas elevation profile

Day 4 · —Rest Day

Rest Day

Take a day to relax, head out for a short walk at the Gorreana Tea Plantation or you could book a boat trip to try and spot some whales and dolphins.

Day 5 · 13km/8.1miNine Windows Wall

Nine Windows Wall

This out and back route starts at the 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. Return the way you came and perhaps add on an extra route ascending the Pico das Eguas, one of the most prominent elevations in the area, where you find the North and South Eguas Lake.

Elevation

Nine Windows Wall elevation profile

Day 6 · 14km/8.7miPraia to Lagoa da Fogo

Praia to Lagoa da Fogo

Drive to Agua de Alto to walk from 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. Return to your car and maybe spend some time at the beach before returning to your hotel.

Elevation

Praia to Lagoa da Fogo elevation profile

Day 7 · 11km/6.8miFaial da Terra

Faial da Terra

Head to the east of the island to Faial da Terra from where you walk to Salto do Prego waterfall. Pass through the small hamlet of Sanguinos, only accessible by foot (or donkey) and mostly abandoned today.

Elevation

Faial da Terra elevation profile

Day 8 · —Depart from Sao Miguel

Depart from Sao Miguel

Depart from your hotel after breakfast.

Extending your holiday

HOTEL LISBOA PLAZA, LISBON (4 STAR)

Hotel Lisboa Plaza

Lisbon

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express
  • ATM
  • Bank
  • Hairdryers
  • Market
  • Mastercard
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Shops

Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4 star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.

What our travellers say

Great off the beaten track type of holiday, the whale watching boat ride we went on was the highlight and seeing the tea plantation with beautiful walks every other day, we felt you needed to book a taxi to get you home from walks to be safe in case the bus did not collect from where you imagined it would. I would recommend people load the app what three words in case of an accident as the remote spots would be difficult to explain if you got into trouble. Say Hi was another useful translation app when in remote spots needing to ask for help. We missed the feeling of having a local person to check in with that we have had with cycling holidays- however Melo travel were helpful when we approached them for taxis. The beauty of the island needs to be seen- hydrangeas, agapanthus and lilies were everywhere and the trees were sublime in parks. In Lisbon the silver lime/ linden trees were in blossom and smelt so perfumed. Glorious

Caroline Wilson

This was a very nice holiday indeed and everything was very well chosen and organised.

Mr Flower

All interaction with the office staff was excellent, extremely helpful and knowledgeable and explained everything and in detail. The app was excellent and so easy to follow. The flights, collection from and back to the airport, the hotel, the location, all were excellent, we could not have wished for better. The location of the walks, the views, everything was so much more than we could have expected.

All in all, an excellent holiday, thank you to all the staff who made it work as well as it did and to the people who created the app, studied the walks and locations, great job one and all.

Mr Sleigh

We really like walking holidays and like the flexibility but structure of recommended walks that headwater gives us

A Valued Customer
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

19.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From£1,189per person