10 BEST HIKES IN SAO MIGUEL: YOUR ULTIMATE HIKING GUIDE
Welcome to the Azores! São Miguel, famously known as the “Green Island,” serves as the gateway to the legendary Azorean Archipelago and stands as a premier destination for hiking enthusiasts like you and me. As the largest and most diverse island in the Azores, São Miguel offers plenty of hiking and running opportunities, making it an ideal first stop for your Azores itinerary. Picture yourself exploring Sete Cidades’ iconic views, wandering through insane lagoons, or trekking along hidden jungle paths. Each trail brings its own charm and challenge, and this guide to São Miguel’s 10 best hikes will help you uncover the island’s most unforgettable experiences.
10 BEST HIKES IN SAO MIGUEL – ESSENTIAL INFO
São Miguel, the largest and most populous island in the Azores archipelago, marks the beginning of the Azorean adventure for many, thanks to its numerous flight connections from Portugal and beyond. I visited this island upon arriving in the Azores, and then, right before the end of my stay, I added a few extra days to explore the island again. I feel like I could spend a month in there alone and still have things to do.
As a result, I’ve put together this ultimate guide for you. Discover the 10 best hikes in São Miguel, showcasing the island’s stunning beauty. Each guide includes practical details like distance, difficulty, and my personal experience.If you notice any changes on the trails, let me know in the comments so we can keep this guide up to date!
WHERE TO STAY IN SAO MIGUEL?
I won’t risk much by saying that most people choose to stay in Ponta Delgada, the capital of the island. Here’s where you’ll find most of the available accommodations, as well as plenty of shops and restaurants. Depending on your preferred type of accommodation, I’d say you have two choices:
Campsites: Bringing your own tent and staying at a campsite can save you A LOT of money. There are around 10 campsites spread all over the island with different amenities. You can simply google them to decide which option is the best for you. Sure, if the weather is bad, you’re kinda stuck, but summers in general are quite okay. Once I learned how good the level of camps are in Azores, I wish I’d have brought my own tent, but anyway, what I end up doing was buying my own tent in Ponta Delgada and used it for my future stays in Flores and Corvo, and honestly, I had zero regrets.
Traditional Accommodation: Sao Miguel has a fair number of hotels, airbnbs, b&b’s, hostels you name it. For my stay I booked a simple room in the centre I found at booking.com which is my to-go place to look for accommodations whenever bring a tent is not an option. You can check the best rates below:
RENTING A CAR IS A MUST HERE
Getting around São Miguel without a car? You’d be missing out on all the best bits. To freely explore all parts of the island, having a car is essential. It’s not uncommon for one side of the island to have rainy weather while another doesn’t. Car gives you the freedom to quickly adapt to current conditions and ensure that you can complete a hike on that day. Additionally, renting a car makes the experience of staying at campsites easier, considering how much you can pack in your trunk! I wrote a guide on how to rent a car in São Miguel, you basically have two choices:
local rental companies: they are slightly more expensive, but they often include full insurance, meaning less hassle if something goes wrong. They are more flexible though, so when I needed a car delivered to my hotel, I booked through www.magicislands.pt and was super happy.
discovercars.com is how I usually book cars in general. It’s usually cheaper than if I were to book directly with local rental companies and it saves the hassle, you can find the best deal here:
Best season: The best season to visit the Azores is generally during the spring and summer months, from April to September. During this time, the weather is mild, with warmer temperatures and less rainfall, making it perfect for outdoor adventures like hiking. Additionally, the landscapes are lush and vibrant during the spring months, with blooming flowers and green beauty exploding across all of the islands. PS: keep in mind that the Azores have a temperate maritime climate, so weather conditions can be unpredictable year-round.
Gear – Proper footwear is a must. My all-time favourite shoes for those type of adventures are Hoka Mafate Speed 4 but you can also read the guide for trail running shoes I tested in 2024. Don’t forget a sun protection and a suitable clothing for wind and rain. If you need help choosing the right clothing for a hike – read this guide.
Grading – Difficulty grading is subjective and can largely depend on your fitness level. I am a seasoned trail runner and usually run rather than hike but I am always trying to be as objective as I can when grading trails. Remember to always consider your own physical abilities and fitness level and check if you’re comfortable with trail’s distance and elevation gain.
Apps – The apps I’ve been using to navigate trails in São Miguel:
- mapy.cz – I’ve been using it for years now and it rarely fails me. Big plus for offline download option.
- maps.me – light app with offline download option
Transport – Public transportation in Azores is quite limited. You can find the detailed routes on the official website. If you want to get to the best trails you’d need to either hire a taxi/transfer – very pricy option or simply renting a car. There’s a lot of different rental offices around the island to choose from yet I always found the best price through discovercars.com, where you basically rent the same car for a better price than if you would visit the office by yourself.
10 BEST HIKES IN SAO MIGUEL
Alright, let’s dive in! I’m super thrilled to share this guide with you. Azores and São Miguel are no doubt wonderful places, and I hope to inspire you to have the adventure of a lifetime. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media or by leaving a comment below.
LAGOA DAS SETE CIDADES – DESCENDING INTO A GIGANTIC CRATER
Distance: 13km
Elevation Gain: 400m
Difficulty: Moderately easy
Highlights: Postcard-like lagoon, crazy colorued lakes and a huge volcanic crater.
Lagoa das Sete Cidades was always a top spot on my hiking list so when I planned my Azores adventure. You’ve probably seen those stunning pictures of Sete Cidades just like I did – they’re everywhere when you’re looking up places to hike in the Azores. That’s exactly why I made sure to spend a few extra days on São Miguel. I wanted to catch Lagoa das Sete Cidades on the best days and I got lucky – the weather was perfect for all three of my hikes there.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: LAGOA DAS SETE CIDADES
JANELA DO INFERNO TRAIL – A HIDDEN GEM OF SÃO MIGUEL
Distance: 6km
Elevation Gain: 200m
Difficulty: Easy
Hihglights: A hidden cute, little lagoon hidden in the laurel forest.
The Janela do Inferno trail is one of my personal favorites and, without a doubt, a hidden gem of São Miguel in the Azores. This short adventure is an incredible experience, a remarkable stroll through a dense jungle, and on top of that – an unforgettable, cute little lagoon. It’s a rewarding challenge for everyone who is willing to explore the path that’s a little bit less traveled.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: THE JANELA DO INFERNO TRAIL
LAGOA DO FOGO
Distance: 7km
Elevation Gain: 150m
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: A serene volcanic crater
Located in a pristine landscape, Lagoa do Fogo, also known as the “Fire Lake,” is an awesome trail for adventurers seeking a peaceful retreat from the noise of city life. Nestled within the crater of a dormant volcano that formed 15,000 years ago. Here, among the stunning landscapes of São Miguel island, you’ll embark on a journey from a renowned viewpoint on the northern rim, where, on clear days, the path offers breathtaking views.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: LAGOA DO FOGO
SALTO DO CABRITO WATERFALL HIKE
Distance: 8km
Elevation Gain: 250m
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: A great walk on a suspended trail and a crystal clear lagoon.
Salto do Cabrito waterfall hike in São Miguel was an adventure I eagerly looked forward to. This trail, beginning at the Caldeiras in Ribeira Grande, perfectly combines moments of peace with a sense of exploration. With its inviting lagoon and a comfortable area to relax, it sets the stage for a very pleasant journey. Although less impressive than the Salto Do Prego, it is much easier to access. Additionally, Salt Do Cabrito exhibits its own charm and is a great addition to your adventuring in Sao Miguel. Conveniently located in the middle of the island, the waterfall is in close proximity to Miradouro De Santa Iria as well, so you might score two nice sights in one day.
READ THE FULL DETAILED BLOG POST: SALTO DO CABRITO
LOMBA DA FAZENDA COASTAL HIKE
Distance: 7,5km
Elevation Gain: 280m
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Beautiful coastal walk, plenty of history and vegetation
Lomba da Fazenda hike in San Miguel Island’s northeast offers an awesome 7.5 km long adventure. Starting at the historic Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, this circular path PRC31 goes through the town, past an ancient watermill and along river beds to the bathing spot – Boca da Ribeira. It’s a nice blend of a few viewpoints, coastal paths and a local flora and fauna.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: LOMBA DA FAZENDA
LAGOAS EMPADADAS + BOCA DO INFERNO VIEWPOINT
Distance: 7km
Elevation Gain: 100m
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: A stunning viewpoint and a volcanic crater and a lagoon
Lagoas Empadadas is an awesome hiking adventure through a secluded Lake District, located in the picturesque Serra Devassa mountain range. Here you can discover numerous serene crater lakes scattered across this incredible terrain that used to be a vital source of clean water for Ponta Delgada’s fountains in the 19th century. This hike takes you through numerous lakes with pristine water and the very famous viewpoint: Miradouro da Boca do Inferno.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: LAGOAS EMPADADAS
CALDEIRA DAS SETE CIDADES HIKE + MONTE PALACE HOTEL RUINS
Distance: 21m
Elevation Gain: 600m
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Highlights: The postcard-like views on the Sete Cidades from every possible angle + crazy hotel ruins.
My expanded guide for an awesome circular hike around Caldeira das Sete Cidades, São Miguel’s hiking gem in the Azores. This unique version of the trail takes you beyond the classic circuit, adding an option to explore the atmospheric Monte Palace Hotel ruins and a super scenic detour to the tranquil Lagoa de Canario. This is my personal twist on a renowned route, where each step adds the natural splendor and hidden stories of this incredible volcanic wonder.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: CALDEIRA DAS SETE CIDADES
ROCHA DA RELVA COASTAL HIKE
Distance: 6km
Elevation Gain: 215
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Beautiful trail among the cliffs with tiny village nestled at the coast
Rocha da Relva hike is my personal hidden gem of São Miguel in the Azores. This unique trail: PRC02 SMI, winding through one of São Miguel’s majestic cliffs offers a blend of cultural heritage, incredible landscapes and a close encounter with the island’s rich biodiversity. The town itself is also a very cool sight and a great addition to this island’s itinerary.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: ROCHA DA RELVA
PICO DO VARA
Distance: 7km
Elevation Gain: 614m
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: The highest point of the Island!
Welcome to Pico do Vara, the highest peak on São Miguel, standing proudly at 1103m above the sea level. This guide is offering a chance to soak in the stunning beauty of the Azores. Surrounding the peak is the island’s largest remaining laurisilva forest, home to the endangered Azores bullfinch. Get ready for a 7km trail, perfect for climbing São Miguel’s highest point and experiencing the natural wonders of the Azores from the first hand.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: PICO DO VARA
LAGOA DAS FURNAS
Distance: 9km
Elevation Gain: 140m
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: “Burning” underground and local tourist attraction
The Lagoa das Furnas trail offers a nice exploration through São Miguel’s vibrant landscape, mixing cultural landmarks and natural wonders. This circular path, starting at Furnas village, unveils the island’s geothermal activity and lush scenery which is perfect for a leisurely hike.
READ THE DETAILED BLOG POST: LAGOA DAS FURNAS
FINAL THOUGHTS
Exploring São Miguel has been an unforgettable adventure, and I hope this guide helps you experience the island’s magic to its fullest. Want to discover other islands in Azores? Check out my ultimate hiking guides: 10 Best hikes in São Miguel, 5 Best hikes on Pico Island and other hikes in Azores. And if this guide helped you plan your adventure, you can always fuel my next hike with a coffee. 😊
PS If you notice any changes to the trails or have your own tips to share, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep this guide as helpful and up-to-date as possible. Also, if you enjoyed this guide, feel free to connect with me on social media or support my work with a coffee 😊 Your support means the world and helps me keep these guides coming!
Until next time, happy hiking and safe travels!
