Guided Walks
The islands of the Azores, with their mild climate (day time temperature ranging from 14-22 degrees), are the most wonderful islands for walking. Our suggested walks incorporate some of the best scenic walks on the island.
Guided Walk - Sete Cidades - Half Day
The adventure begins in Ponta Delgada before heading off towards Pico do Carvão. This trail (5km) starts at the entrance of Mata do Canário, joins two sections of pre-existing trails and allows you to discover the various lakes in the western part of the island of São Miguel. In the first part of the walking tour it is possible to find ground vegetation, mainly grasses, and it is also possible to see the “Muro das Nove Janelas”, an ancient aqueduct that carried water to Ponta Delgada. After an ascent through an area where the terrain is more irregular, you will see a large part of the west side of the island, as well as the collapsed crater of Sete Cidades. From this location, on a clear day, you can see a large part of the island of São Miguel. On the return to Ponta Delgada, it is possible to stop at the Viewpoint of Vista do Rei, where you will find a magnificent landscape of the Lagoa Azul and Verde.
Price is £34 per adult and £17 per child (6-11yrs)
Notes
- Depart: Wednesday
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 5km
- Departure: 09.00 or 13:00 from Picos de Aventura's Base - Ponta Delgada's Marina
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Recommended: Footwear suitable for walking (Hiking boots/shoes), comfortable clothing, light jacket, extra t-shirt or sweatshirt, snack, water, backpack, sun lotion and hat
Guided Walk - Lagoa do Fogo - Full Day
Today’s tour begins with a drive along the south coast of the island, with views over the ocean and the hills of Lagoa do Fogo mountain. This 11km trail starts on a dirt path through woods of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), Australian cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum), wild kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax, a New Zealand plant) and many endemic plants. The trail continues along a levada (about 2km) until you reach a wider area, with wide slopes on both sides going to the rim of Lagoa do Fogo. During the ascent there are several places from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Vila Franca do Campo and its Islet and the hills on the south side of the island. The stop for lunch (included) will be along the shores of the lake.
The return to our starting point is made by a path that traverses an area covered by endemic vegetation which then flows into an area of pastures as we descend and approach the end of the hike. On the way back to Ponta Delgada you will visit the bathing area of Caloura harbour, with a comfort stop and possibility of swimming in the natural pool. Then back to Ponta Delgada driving along the south coast back where the activity ends.
Price is £53 per adult and £27 per child (6-11yrs)
Notes
- Depart: Tuesday or Saturday at 09:00
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 11km
- Departure: 09.00 from Picos de Aventura's Base - Ponta Delgada's Marina
- Duration: 7 hours
- Recommended: Footwear suitable for walking (Hiking boots/shoes), comfortable clothing, light jacket, extra t-shirt or sweatshirt, snack, water, swimsuit, towel, backpack, sun lotion and hat
Guided Walk - Pico da Vara - Full Day
This 7km trail begins and ends in the parish of Algarvia, in the municipality of Nordeste, at an altitude of 700 metres. After ascending about 1km through a forest of Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica), the landscape changes to endemic plant species and ground vegetation, composed mainly of grasses from which the town derives its name ‘Graminhais. From here, you can see Povoação, the place where settlers first arrived on the island in the 15th century. The trail rises until it reaches the highest point on the island of São Miguel, Pico da Vara, at 1105m above sea level, where you have an amazing view over almost the whole island and a 360 degree view on top of the mountain. The return is done by taking the same route back downhill which can be a little slippery in winter. On the return to Ponta Delgada, passing by the northern coast of the island, there will be time to stop at the oldest tea factory of São Miguel, Gorreana tea factory, for some tea tasting and passing by the city of Ribeira Grande, the only city on the north side of the island, before crossing back to the south coast, through the narrower part of the island (8km). After a brief drive along the south coast, the activity ends in Ponta Delgada.
Price is £53 per adult and £27 per child (6-11yrs)
Notes
- Depart: Daily
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 7km
- Departure: 09.00 from Picos de Aventura's Base - Ponta Delgada's Marina
- Duration: 7 hours
- Recommended: Footwear suitable for walking (Hiking boots/shoes), comfortable clothing, light jacket, extra t-shirt or sweatshirt, snack, water, backpack, sun lotion and hat
Guided Walk - Sanguinho - Full Day
The activity starts with a drive along the south coast of the island with amazing views over the hills, green pastures and the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, a volcanic formation that is considered a natural reserve by the Government of the Azores. Then enter the collapsed volcano of Furnas, one of the places where you can see volcanic phenomena, such as the hot springs and the calderas. After passing by Furnas, you will exit the volcanic crater and arrive in Povoação, the first settlement on São Miguel. The trail begins in the parish of Faial da Terra, lasts approximately 3 hours 30 minutes and extends for 4,5km. Initially, the trail climbs through a steep path with a breathtaking view over the parish and the ocean until it reaches Sanguinho, a place that owes its name to the abundant endemic plant (Frangula azorica). Then the trail continues through a forest of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and some other species such as the Ginger Lilys (Hedychium gardnerianum) and the Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum) before it reaches the waterfall of Salto do Prego, in one of the most beautiful places on the island. This is the perfect stopover for a picnic lunch and for bathing in the crystal clear waters of the waterfall.
The return route is along the path parallel to a stream that flows from the waterfall to the parish of Faial da Terra, through lush vegetation. The return to Ponta Delgada includes a comfort stop in the village of Povoação to taste the local pastry ''Fofas da Povoação”. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, you will cross to the north coast of the island where it will be possible to see some unique tea fields, the hills and the landscape of the north coast, passing by Ribeira Grande, the second largest city on the island and then crossing back to the south coast through the narrower part of the island, at 8km width. After a brief drive along the south coast, the activity ends with the arrival in Ponta Delgada.
Price is £53 per adult and £27 per child (6-11yrs)
Notes
- Depart: Friday or Sunday at 09:00
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 4.5km
- Departure: 09.00 from Picos de Aventura's Base - Ponta Delgada's Marina
- Duration: 7 hours (return 16:00)
- Recommended: Footwear suitable for walking (Hiking boots/shoes), comfortable clothing, light jacket, extra t-shirt or sweatshirt, snack, water, swimsuit, towel, backpack, sun lotion and hat
Guided Walk - Ribeira Funda and Praia da Viola - Full Day
The day starts with a drive from Ponta Delgada, crossing the island from south to north by the narrowest part. After passing by the only city on the north coast, Ribeira Grande, a great coastline awaits you with it´s amazing views. On the way, it is also possible to see the vast fields with tea plants, one of very few found in Europe. This 5.5km trail begins in the centre of a small place on the north side of the island called Ribeira Funda and takes around 3 hours to complete. The walking starts in an open area, turning into a path with dense vegetation, mostly composed of Australian Cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum) and Ginger Lilys (Hedychium gardnerianum).
The trail then leads us to some old water mills that were once used to transform wheat and corn into flour and used in the confection of bread (the primary food for families all over the island) and passing by various streams until you reach a viewpoint, from where you can see your next stop - Praia da Viola beach. Praia da Viola is a small, quiet beach with rough sand, flanked by a cliff with several water springs. If the ocean is calm, it is possible to go for a quick swim. In the middle of this hidden beach, there is a trail that takes you to the end of the tour, in the small parish of Maia. Some parts are very narrow and very steep and might also be slippery. On the return to Ponta Delgada, passing by the northern coast of the island, there is still time to stop at the oldest tea factory on São Miguel, the Gorreana tea factory, for some tea tasting and a stop in Caldeira Velha, located in the hills of the mountain of Lagoa do Fogo where it’s possible to have bathe in the relaxing hot waters. Back on the road, pass by Ribeira Grande before crossing back to the south coast and after a brief drive arriving in Ponta Delgada to end the activity.
Price is £62 per adult and £31 per child (6-11yrs)
Notes
- Difficulty: Medium
- Depart: Daily
- Distance: 5.5km
- Departure: 09.00 from Picos de Aventura's Base - Ponta Delgada's Marina
- Duration: 7 hours (return 14:00)
- Recommended: Footwear suitable for walking (Hiking boots/shoes), comfortable clothing, light jacket, extra t-shirt or sweatshirt, snack, water, swimsuit, towel, backpack, sun lotion and hat
