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Self-Guided Sao Miguel Walking Holiday
Explore the beautiful and varied landscapes of Azores' largest island on our Self-Guided Sao Miguel Walking Holiday...
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Explore the beautiful and varied landscapes of Azores’ largest island on our Self-Guided Sao Miguel Walking Holiday.
We’ve been exploring Sao Miguel’s magnificent volcanic landscapes for over twenty years, and we can honestly say there’s no better way to experience this stunning island than on foot. From the iconic Mata do Canario caldera trail at Sete Cidades and the secluded Lagoa do Fogo levada trail, via the geysers at Lagoa das Furnas.
We specialise in personalised walking holidays to suit all abilities, and we’ll provide you with all the online guides and maps you’ll need to navigate the best of the Sao Miguel’s extensive network of walking trails.
We recommend dividing your time between Sao Miguel’s cultural centre Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, and the rural peace of the Furnas valley – home to the island’s most-famous hot springs and geothermal swimming pools.
We can include return transfers for each walk, or you might prefer the freedom of a hire car, and our online route maps and guides will allow you to explore Sao Miguel at your own pace.
Day 1
You’ll begin your holiday by flying to the main Azores island of Sao Miguel. You’ll be collected on arrival by our driver for your transfer to the Furnas valley.
Day 2
For your first day, you’ll explore the Furnas valley with a walk around the shores of Lagoa das Furnas (approximate walking time: 2.5 hours, walk distance: 9km, grade: easy). The trail ends at the 200-year-old Terra Nostra botanical gardens – home to the Azores’ most famous geothermal swimming pool.
Day 3
You’ll begin exploring further afield with a walk along the Ribeira do Faial da Terra trail (approximate walking time 3 hours, walk distance 6km, grade: moderate) – a circular walk which begins and ends south coast village of Faial de Terra. You’ll follow the old cobbled trail up the steep valley to the once-deserted village of Sanguinho and the beautiful Salto do Prego waterfall.
Day 4
You’ll head north to walk the Salto do Cabrito trail (approximate walking time 3 hours, walk distance: 8km, grade: easy to moderate). This circular route which begins and ends at the hot springs at Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, taking you to the pretty Salto do Cabrito waterfall
Day 5
You’ll leave Furnas today, driving west for your stay in the capital Ponta Delgada. Enroute, you’ll walk on of the island’s most popular walks to Lagoa do Fogo, the ‘Lake of Fire’ (approximate walking time 5 hours, walk distance 12km, grade: moderate).
Day 6
Today’s walk follows the Rotas da Agua – Entre Tuneis trail from Remedios to Agua de Pau, via the Janela do Inferno natural springs. (approximate walking time: 5 hours, walk distance: 15km, grade: moderate).
Day 7
You’ll end your stay with one of our favourite walks in the Azores: the Mata do Canario trail (approximate walking time 4 hours, walk distance 12km, grade: moderate). The walk follows the northern rim of the Sete Cidades Volcano – the largest caldera on the island.
Day 8
You’ll return your hire car to the airport before flying home.
Our holidays have a nice balance of activities and free time. Everything’s flexible and you can personalise your trip.
Whale watching
The Azores are one of the premier whale and dolphin watching destinations in the world, with a wide range of species including resident sperm and pilot whales, migratory blue and fin whales, and bottlenose and spotted dolphins.
Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to explore the Azores, and there are guided and self guided walks to suit everyone's level of fitness.
Canyoning
Canyoning is fast growing in popularity and the Azores have excellent routes on Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge and Flores.
Cycling and mountain biking
Cycle from village to village along the quiet roads or take an adrenaline fuelled guided mountain biking ride down from the crater lakes, the Azores have lots of exciting two wheel options.
Jeep tours
Get off-road with our friendly knowledgeable guides along the dirt tracks of the Azores.
Kayaking and Paddle boarding
Kayak and paddleboard on the breathtaking crater lakes or along the rugged coastline of Sao Miguel and Terceira.
Horse riding
From one hour lessons in an indoor arena to full day rides, riding is one of the best ways to explore the Azorean countryside. You'll be riding beautiful pure and cross bred Lusitano horses and be in the safe hands of our experienced guides.
Surfing
With its year round mild climate and sea temperatures, the Azores is starting to become more popular with surfers. Working with a school on the north coast of Sao Miguel, we can provide lessons with our friendly instructors or just hire the boards and wetsuits and ride the waves on your own.
Diving
As well as offering unique diving experiences for qualified divers, beginners can also learn at the excellent schools on the islands. Dive sites are varied from offshore reefs and volcanic caves to drop-offs, impressive arches and flat seabed. Most dives rarely go deeper than 15m and average sea temperatures are 17-22°C. Visibility is very good at 20-25m.
Birdwatching
With close to 400 species sighted in the archipelago, this is a rewarding yet quiet bird watching destination. For many the highlight is spotting the endemic Azores Bullfinch found only in a small part of the main island of Sao Miguel. There's also the large Cory Shearwater and Roseate Tern colonies, Atlantic canary, several subspecies of the Common Chaffinch, the São Miguel Goldcrest and the Azores Woodpigeon. In October, the Azores become the undisputed rarity hotspot of the Western Palearctic with a wealth of America vagrants on offer from shorebirds and wildfowl to wood-warblers and vireos.
Golf
Golfing in the Azores is a real pleasure. Courses are quiet and spectacular offering views over the ocean and volcanic craters. On São Miguel, Batalha overlooks the sea and is the newest and most challenging course while Furnas (located in the mountains at an altitude of 500m) is sprinkled with lakes and stands of Japanese Cryptomeria and then there's the heavily wooded course on Terceira close the beautiful town of Angra.
Explore the beautiful and varied landscapes of Azores’ largest island on our Self-Guided Sao Miguel Walking Holiday.
We’ve been exploring Sao Miguel’s magnificent volcanic landscapes for over twenty years, and we can honestly say there’s no better way to experience this stunning island than on foot. From the iconic Mata do Canario caldera trail at Sete Cidades and the secluded Lagoa do Fogo levada trail, via the geysers at Lagoa das Furnas.We specialise in personalised walking holidays to suit all abilities, and we’ll provide you with all the online guides and maps you’ll need to navigate the best of the Sao Miguel’s extensive network of walking trails.We recommend dividing your time between Sao Miguel’s cultural centre Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, and the rural peace of the Furnas valley – home to the island’s most-famous hot springs and geothermal swimming pools.We can include return transfers for each walk, or you might prefer the freedom of a hire car, and our online route maps and guides will allow you to explore Sao Miguel at your own pace.Day 1
You’ll begin your holiday by flying to the main Azores island of Sao Miguel. You’ll be collected on arrival by our driver for your transfer to the Furnas valley.
Day 2
For your first day, you’ll explore the Furnas valley with a walk around the shores of Lagoa das Furnas (approximate walking time: 2.5 hours, walk distance: 9km, grade: easy). The trail ends at the 200-year-old Terra Nostra botanical gardens – home to the Azores’ most famous geothermal swimming pool.
Day 3
You’ll begin exploring further afield with a walk along the Ribeira do Faial da Terra trail (approximate walking time 3 hours, walk distance 6km, grade: moderate) – a circular walk which begins and ends south coast village of Faial de Terra. You’ll follow the old cobbled trail up the steep valley to the once-deserted village of Sanguinho and the beautiful Salto do Prego waterfall.
Day 4
You’ll head north to walk the Salto do Cabrito trail (approximate walking time 3 hours, walk distance: 8km, grade: easy to moderate). This circular route which begins and ends at the hot springs at Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, taking you to the pretty Salto do Cabrito waterfall
Day 5
You’ll leave Furnas today, driving west for your stay in the capital Ponta Delgada. Enroute, you’ll walk on of the island’s most popular walks to Lagoa do Fogo, the ‘Lake of Fire’ (approximate walking time 5 hours, walk distance 12km, grade: moderate).
Day 6
Today’s walk follows the Rotas da Agua – Entre Tuneis trail from Remedios to Agua de Pau, via the Janela do Inferno natural springs. (approximate walking time: 5 hours, walk distance: 15km, grade: moderate).
Day 7
You’ll end your stay with one of our favourite walks in the Azores: the Mata do Canario trail (approximate walking time 4 hours, walk distance 12km, grade: moderate). The walk follows the northern rim of the Sete Cidades Volcano – the largest caldera on the island.
Day 8
You’ll return your hire car to the airport before flying home.
Our holidays have a nice balance of activities and free time. Everything’s flexible and you can personalise your trip.
Whale watching
The Azores are one of the premier whale and dolphin watching destinations in the world, with a wide range of species including resident sperm and pilot whales, migratory blue and fin whales, and bottlenose and spotted dolphins.
Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to explore the Azores, and there are guided and self guided walks to suit everyone's level of fitness.
Canyoning
Canyoning is fast growing in popularity and the Azores have excellent routes on Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge and Flores.
Cycling and mountain biking
Cycle from village to village along the quiet roads or take an adrenaline fuelled guided mountain biking ride down from the crater lakes, the Azores have lots of exciting two wheel options.
Jeep tours
Get off-road with our friendly knowledgeable guides along the dirt tracks of the Azores.
Kayaking and Paddle boarding
Kayak and paddleboard on the breathtaking crater lakes or along the rugged coastline of Sao Miguel and Terceira.
Horse riding
From one hour lessons in an indoor arena to full day rides, riding is one of the best ways to explore the Azorean countryside. You'll be riding beautiful pure and cross bred Lusitano horses and be in the safe hands of our experienced guides.
Surfing
With its year round mild climate and sea temperatures, the Azores is starting to become more popular with surfers. Working with a school on the north coast of Sao Miguel, we can provide lessons with our friendly instructors or just hire the boards and wetsuits and ride the waves on your own.
Diving
As well as offering unique diving experiences for qualified divers, beginners can also learn at the excellent schools on the islands. Dive sites are varied from offshore reefs and volcanic caves to drop-offs, impressive arches and flat seabed. Most dives rarely go deeper than 15m and average sea temperatures are 17-22°C. Visibility is very good at 20-25m.
Birdwatching
With close to 400 species sighted in the archipelago, this is a rewarding yet quiet bird watching destination. For many the highlight is spotting the endemic Azores Bullfinch found only in a small part of the main island of Sao Miguel. There's also the large Cory Shearwater and Roseate Tern colonies, Atlantic canary, several subspecies of the Common Chaffinch, the São Miguel Goldcrest and the Azores Woodpigeon. In October, the Azores become the undisputed rarity hotspot of the Western Palearctic with a wealth of America vagrants on offer from shorebirds and wildfowl to wood-warblers and vireos.
Golf
Golfing in the Azores is a real pleasure. Courses are quiet and spectacular offering views over the ocean and volcanic craters. On São Miguel, Batalha overlooks the sea and is the newest and most challenging course while Furnas (located in the mountains at an altitude of 500m) is sprinkled with lakes and stands of Japanese Cryptomeria and then there's the heavily wooded course on Terceira close the beautiful town of Angra.
