Adventures In a Breathtaking Archipelago
Hiking in the Azores
Overview
Come with us to an island-world of rustic villages, lake-filled calderas, bubbling hot springs, and ancient vineyards—the Azores! On this volcanic archipelago just a five-hour flight from Boston, we explore four islands: São Miguel, Faial, São Jorge, and spectacular Pico, each with its own personality and terrain. We’ll hike along crater rims, cross rugged moorlands above a deep blue sea, and follow ancient canadas (pathways) that link farms and villages. To complement our hikes, we’ll head out for whale watching, dine on the abundant fresh seafood, and relish the unhurried pace of Azorean life.
Arrive: São Miguel Island
Depart: São Miguel Island
Highlights
- Hike and explore four lush volcanic islands, each with a unique culture and landscape
- Taste Pico Island's red and white wines from age-old vineyards
- Savor catch-of-the-day fish and unique local cheeses on each island
- Go whale-watching in one of the world's largest whale sanctuaries
- Stay in unique accomodations ranging from a converted 16th century fort to the Art Deco grandeur of Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Itinerary
On São Miguel Island, we hike up to the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, then fly to Faial Island for a hike on the Praia do Norte Levada with spectacular coastal views.
On Pico Island, crowned by a dormant 7,713-foot volcano, we explore vineyards in production since the 17th century. We’ll go whale watching at Lajes do Pico, once a whale-hunting hub and now a major whale-watching destination. A ferry brings us to São Jorge Island, where one hiking option brings us steeply up to a vista of Pico’s iconic volcano and another takes us through lovely rural villages.
Back on São Miguel, we take a shore walk along stunning Lake Furnas, which fills a dramatic volcanic crater. Restaurant owners here make the delicious local stew called cozido nas caldeiras (with tender meat, rice, and vegetables roasted in pots in the hot soil of the caldera). We’ll enjoy a hearty cozido feast for dinner. We visit one of only two tea plantations in Europe before departing on Day 10 via Ponta Delgada.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking up to 7 miles a day and being on your feet for 5 hours a day. With the exception of one day, there are no alternative hiking options, so you will need to be able to keep up with the moderate but steady hiking pace of the group. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
- 6 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 800 feet gain and 1,200 feet loss
Challenge Day
- Day 6 - 5.5 miles, 4 hours, 2,300 feet gain, and 400 feet loss; includes 1.5 hours by ferry and 2 hours of driving
We'll hike along crater rims in a volcanic landscape, traverse rugged moorlands above a deep blue sea, and follow ancient canadas (pathways) that crisscross the islands linking farms and villages. Occasionally there are steeper paths and steps on the coastal walks, and the ground can be uneven with some sharp rocks. If there has been rain, it can be muddy and slippery. Hiking poles will be beneficial on many days. Many of the trails are on rocky and uneven ground, so it is important that your footwear is comfortable and has a good hiking sole. On non-hiking days, we'll still be on foot for many hours as we explore the towns and sites.
The Azores have a subtropical maritime climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. In the summer, temperatures average between the mid-60s°F to the low 80s°F during the day and the 50s°F and 60s°F at night. It can be humid, and although it is usually sunny in the summer, clouds and rain is a very real possibility all year round—it is not uncommon for rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon. A light waterproof shell of a rain jacket and pants in your day pack are highly recommended for the short rainstorms that may pass us while hiking.
Our accommodations range from a refurbished 16th century fort to an Art Deco hotel with geothermally heated bathing pools. Since they are in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
We'll enjoy the fresh and varied cuisine of the Azores which include many Portuguese specialties. The islands are known for excellent seafood, spicy stews, sweet desserts, and local wines from the island of Pico. Lunch will be picnic-style, at our hotel, or at one of the local restaurants. Dinner will be at our hotel or a local restaurant in town. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day). On one day, we will spend a few hours in a 16-seater RIB for whale watching. We will also take ferries between the islands and take various forms of transportation on each island.
Client Testimonials
"Beautiful place, unique and special. The hikes were challenging and rewarding."
Carolyn S.
Lone Tree, CO
"This is one of the very finest of the 23 WT trips I've taken since 1986. The beauty and charm of the Azores, the great variety and quality of the hikes and experiences, and David Monteiro's superb leadership make this trip simply amazing."
Joe N.
Seattle, WA
"A great combination of beautiful scenery, fun filled days, and active travel."
Judy L.
Sleepy Hollow. NY
"I am impressed with Wilderness Travel! I was so pleased with our leader and all the opportunities I had to hike and explore four islands. I also enjoyed learning more about the Portuguese culture."
Judy P.
Denver, Co
"The hikes were challenging and showcased beautiful scenery and included enough diverse areas that guides were able to help participants appreciate some of the history as well as some information about the current state of affairs."
Katherine K.
Neenah, WI
"The Azores offered a very interesting range of activities and experiences that exceeded my expectations. The hikes were all unique and enjoyable as were each of the islands that we visited."
Sandy C.
Seattle, WA
"A wonderful overview of the Azores, introducing us to four separate islands, with their varied terrain and culture."
Tom B.
Winnetka, IL
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.