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 - Rocha do Chambre (Full Day)
Today’s 8.8km walk takes you to the heart of the island along one of Terceira’s most spectacular trails surrounded by nature. A varied landscape takes you to one of the highest points of the island where, weather dependent, it is possible to see the outer reaches of the island. You will discover how the island would have looked before the first settlers arrived. On the way to the interior of the island, you will have the opportunity to observe the fields where wild cattle live, as well as how rich the interior of the island is, preserved and maintained by the locals over the centuries, until today. The trail is located in the centre of Terceira Island and along the way you will observe the endemic flora of the Azores, such as cryptomeria forests, large pastures and even observe some of the island's fauna. The attraction of this route is the “Rocha de Chambre”, a vertical wall located at an altitude of 708 m where the view over the Azinhal Valley and the caldera of the Pico Alto Volcano stands out. After this climb, there is also time to admire the view from Pico das Caldeirinhas and Pico Vermelho. The final part of the trail runs along a dry-stone wall, in an area dominated by Azorean Heather, an endemic species. After lunch, time to marvel at the Algar do Carvão Cave, a volcanic chimney that is undoubtedly the most famous volcanic cavity in the Azores. On the way back to Angra do Heroísmo, you will stop at Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz, a protected resource management area of the Terceira Natural Park, due to the presence of protected Macaronesian plant species.
- Difficulty: Grade 2 (Medium)
- Duration: 6 hours (Full Day)
- Frequency: Mondays and Thursdays at 08:30
- Price is £48 per adult and £24 per child (6-11yrs)
Guided Walk – Mistérios Negros (Full Day)
This 4.9km walk is along one of the most emblematic hiking trails of Terceira, a Laurissilva forest and a really fairy-tale landscape. The certified guides will provide information on the geology of the area and about the native cloud forest in low altitude. On the way to the interior of the island you will have the opportunity to observe the fields where wild cattle live, as well as how rich the interior of the island is, preserved and maintained by the locals over the centuries until today. You will pass in the middle of a volcano, Pico da Bagacina, arriving at the place on the trail where you will be dazzled by the wonderful Lagoa do Negro. The trail runs through the area where one of the most recent eruptions on Terceira Island took place, surrounded by pastures, cryptomeria forest and other species that complement the luscious endemic vegetation. At the end of the trail, you will have the opportunity to observe the crater of the Pico Gaspar volcano, rich in endemism. Your picnic lunch will be at Lagoa das Patas with its natural surroundings where you can breathe the pure air of the forest and try to interact with the friendly ducks that live there. After lunch, you will head deeper into the earth to visit the Gruta de Natal, originally made from lava tubes, and with diverse geological structures such as the flow of different types of lava, stalactites, and side balconies. On the way back to Angra do Heroísmo, you will stop at Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz, a protected resource management area of the Terceira Natural Park, due to the presence of protected Macaronesian plant species.
- Difficulty: Grade 3 (Hard)
- Duration: 6 hours (Full Day)
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 08:30
- Price is £48 per adult
Guided Walk – Monte Brasil - Half Day
Starting at the Marina of Angra do Heroísmo, the first impression we have is the magnitude and beauty of Monte Brasil, an extinct volcano that originated in the sea, composed of a caldera surrounded by four peaks. This site is classified as a Forest Recreation Reserve. When discovering Monte Brasil you will pass by the four peaks, Pico das Cruzinhas, Pico do Facho, Pico da Quebrada (where the whale lookout is located) and Pico do Zimbreiro. At the end of the walk, we will visit the Fort São João Baptista, originally from the 16th Century, where you can observe the interior of the wall, the old dungeons, and the church. On the way back, we still have the possibility to visit the Museum of Military History Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima, installed in the Old Military Hospital of Boa Nova, with a collection of Militaria, which recreates the military evolution over the centuries and represents the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces. At the end of this adventure, you can also taste one of our gastronomic delicacies, the Queijada Dona Amélia, at one of the city’s most famous pastry shops.
- Difficulty: Grade 2 (Medium)
- Duration: 2.5 hours (Half Day)
- Frequency: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 08:30
- Price is £34 per adult and £17 per child (6-11yrs)
Notes
- Meet at Picos de Aventura's base at Angra do Heroismo marina at 08:15 - supplier Picos de Aventura
- Included: Guided walks with English speaking guide and a picnic lunch (on the full day walks only)
- Minimum 2 people and maximum 12
- Recommended: Comfortable clothing, walking boots, hiking poles, rain jacket, hat, sun lotion, binoculars, camera and a refillable water bottle or canister - plastic water bottles will not be provided locally.
