Island Hopping in the Azores

Arrive at your hotel in Sao Miguel.

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.

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. Head up to the Vista do Rei viewpoint before either returning the way you came or taking a transfer (must be pre-arranged locally) back to Ponta Delgada.

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.

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

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.

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.

Take the ferry over to Pico and explore Lajes do Pico, settled since 1460. There are several impressive 17th and 18th century buildings but the town is best known for its large whale processing factory which closed down in 1981.
The Museu dos Baleeiros (Whaling Museum), running over a terrace of three old boathouses, documents the history of the local whaling industry with a collection of scrimshaw and an assortment of restored whaling vessels. From Lajes de Pico you can also join whale-watching excursions (payable locally).
Pico’s first church, the Ermida de Sao Pedro, dates back to the 15th century and is typical of the stark black and white-edged buildings that predominate the island.

Enjoy a walk down the lower slopes of Mount Pico with interesting lava tunnels at the start and superb views over to Faial. The walk ends on the coast, in Madalena, where you can learn about the history of wine production on Pico at the Museu do Vinho.

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.

Transfer to the port of Madalana for the ferry across to Horta on Faial, check in to your hotel and take a short walk direct from the hotel to discover the Monte de Guia peninsula and its historical importance due to its strategic location vital in the development of telecommunications between Europe and the United States.

This short walk is ideal as an introduction to the Fajas of the Azores taking you to Faja da Praia do Norte, greatly affected by the historical eruption of Cabeco do Fogo, in 1672.

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.

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 Sao Miguel.