Fogo lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of São Miguel island and one of the best naturally preserved throughout the years. From one of its viewpoints it is possible to descend to the margin of the lake, following a dirt path. Once we are at the bottom we can walk along the peculiar white sand of pumice stone and even swim in this lake of volcanic origin. On the way back up, we take the same trail.

Duration: 3h30min

Distance: 3.5km

Difficulty: Medium

This program includes

• Nature guide
• Walking stick
• Stop at Fogo lake belvedere
• Pick up and drop off at the tourism office or your hotel

This short walk starts and ends in the same place and takes us to Rocha da Relva. Going down, you will notice the interesting geological formations just beside you throughout most of the hike. At the bottom there are a few weekend houses of traditional construction as well as some old wine cellars. As you walk through the small village the sound of the waves lapping against the rocks is pretty much all you can hear! On the way back we take the same path to the top, enjoying the ocean views along the way.

Duration: 3h30min

Distance: 4.5km

Difficulty: Easy

This program includes

• Nature guide
• Walking stick
• Stop at Relva viewpoint where you can see one of our lookouts where our “vigia” spots whales and dolphins for our sea activities
• Pick up and drop off at the tourism office or your hotel

Let’s explore the West side of São Miguel. Sete Cidades lake is one of the most famous and legendary lakes of the island. During the 11 km long hike you will have the opportunity to learn about the fauna, flora, history, volcanic formation of the island, and of course, you will hear the legendary love story behind the formation of the lake. After the walk we will drive along the south coast and stop in Ferraria, a delightful ocean bathing area, where the salt water is heated inside a volcanic fissure.

Duration: 7 hours

Distance: 11km

Difficulty: Easy

This program includes

• Nature guide
• Walking stick
• Visit to Sete Cidades village
• Visit to the surrounding volcanic region of Sete Cidades
• Picnic lunch (sandwich, cake, fruit, water, juice)
• Pick up and drop off at the tourism office or your hotel

This walk takes us to one of the most beautiful lakes of the island and to all its surrounding area. This is a very complete hike that passes through a big variety of native and endemic vegetation. The lake occupies the bottom of a collapsed caldera, and when we arrive there you have the possibility to go for a quick swim before or after a  picnic lunch. This hike is considered medium level – in the morning, on the way to the lake, the trail goes mostly uphill (for about 2hours). After lunch the trail is mostly downhill and we must be more careful to avoid slipping. This walk is not recommended for people with knee or ankle problems.

Duration: 7 hours

Distance: 12km

Difficulty: Medium

This program includes

• Nature guide
• Walking stick
• Stop at Fogo lake belvedere
• Stop at Água D’alto beach in the summer or Vila Franca do Campo in the winter
• Picnic lunch (sandwich, cake, fruit, water, juice)
• Pick up and drop off at the tourism office or your hotel

This trail starts in Ribeira Funda (Fenais da Ajuda) and ends at Maia’s fishing port. We will follow the stream downwards and discover some ancient water mill ruins. Crossing the stream bed will lead us to the route going towards Praia da Viola beach. After walking the black sand for a while we will take a trail going upwards that offers a wider and better view over the surrounding area. We will continue along a narrow path with many giant reeds (arundo donax), finding several small water courses and typical Azorean sceneries (green fields, pastures, sea and also some animals). After walking this dirt road for a while, we will find the road and shortly after, Maia’s fishing port where the trail ends. If you want to refresh yourself with a quick swim, we can walk a bit more to reach the village natural pools. After a picnic lunch, we have the opportunity go to the Tobacco Museum of Maia, an ancient tobacco factory.

Duration: 6h30min

Distance: 7km

Difficulty: Medium

This program includes

• Visit to the tobacco factory;
• Picnic lunch (sandwich, cake, fruit, water, juice);
• Pick up and drop off at the hotel or Tourism Office.
• Nature Guide

The starting point of this walk is the amazing viewpoint at the beldevere of Vista do Rei (King’s viewpoint). At this viewpoint over the caldera of Sete Cidades you will learn about the geological formation of the caldera. Next we start walking the dirt path along the rim of the crater. The views are wide and open – to the right side we see the caldera containing the famous twin lakes and to the left the ocean and several coastal villages. The trail ends in the centre of the village of Sete Cidades. After this adventurous and fun walk we reach the bottom of Sete Cidades crater and lake where we have a picnic lunch on the lake shore. Here you will have time to relax and be amazed by the surrounding scenery. After lunch we emerge in an activity “back to the past”. We also bake fresh bread or biscuits, milk a cow, plough the earth and participate in traditional activities and games. This is a fun-filled day that is perfect for anybody wanting to feel down to earth while connecting with nature and local traditions.

Food:

Small kebabs of local blood sausage and pineapple, bolo lêvedo (a traditional bread made in Furnas), sandwiches with cheese from São Jorge Island, small sandwiches of homebaked bread with tuna, chicken pies, cod cakes, a tray of local spicy sausage, sliced fresh fruit, red bean cupcakes, coconut cupcakes and almond cupcakes.

Drinks:

Local passionfruit softdrink (Kima), still water, local beer (Especial), white wine from Pico Island, coffee, tea from São Miguel Island and milk.

Duration: 7h30min

Distance: 7km

Difficulty: Easy

This program includes

• Nature guide
• Walking stick
• Visit to Sete Cidades village
• Visit to the surrounding volcanic region of Sete Cidades
• Activity “back to the past”
• Regional picnic lunch
• Regional afternoon snack
• Pick up and drop off at the tourism office or your hotel