GRAND ROUTE OF FLORES DAY 1: SANTA CRUZ TO PONTA DELGADA
Day 1 of the Grand Route of Flores kicks off at the campsite in Santa Cruz, the island’s small capital, and takes you through some of the most diverse landscapes imaginable. You’ll hike through farm lands, jungle forests, cute tiny streams, waterfalls to dramatic cliffs and coastal views. This section sets the tone for what is easily one of the most incredible treks in the Azores. The day is long, packed with steep climbs, thrilling descents, and a scenery you won´t forget, ever. Ready to be speechless? 😏
SANTA CRUZ TO PONTA DELGADA FACTS & HIGHLIGHTS OF DAY 1
- Distance: 23.5 km (14.6 mi)
- Elevation Gain: 1,295 m (4,249 ft)
- Time Needed: 6–8 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging – steep ascents, jungle paths, and some rough terrain
- Trail Type: Point-to-point
what to expect?
🌿 Fazenda nature reserve – A lush, green paradise with waterfalls and hidden trails.
🏕 Alagoa campsite with its stunning beach – A secluded oceanfront campsite with a waterfall flowing into the sea.
🌊 Epic coastal views – Insane panoramas over Corvo and the dramatic cliffs of Flores.
🥾 Challenging jungle trails – Steep, overgrown paths that make you feel like you’re on an expedition.
MY EXPERIENCE TREKKING FROM SANTA CRUZ TO PONTA DELGADA
The adventure started off in Santa Cruz das Flores at Parque de Campismo, a small but well-kept campsite right next to the airport. Santa Cruz das Flores might have one of the tiniest airports ever, but don’t let that fool you as this adventure starts big! I loved that it’s also next to the natural pools which was ideal right before hitting the trail early the next morning.
The beginning
The first few kilometers were a solid wake-up call, with a steep climb out of town passing Monte das Cruzes. The views over Santa Cruz were already stunning, and I had barely even started? The trail led me through small villages and farmland, offering a sneak peak into the laid-back rural life of the island.
Fazenda Nature Reserve
I only just started and already reached such a paradise with so much greenery, flowers.. I mean who would have thought, flowers on the island of flowers? unthinkable. Also the birds singing around made me realise that I’m in the right place. The trail here goes along the farmlands, on a solid gravel farm road.
Then came one of the surprises of the day, a hidden water channel trail winding through dense jungle. This section definitely felt like an adventure movie, with ferns, overgrown trees and a total silence (except for nature). Walking alongside the flowing water made me feel disconnected from the modern world, which was.. pretty cool. This section goes a long a water channel for a longer while until reaching the road.
Miradouro dos Caimbros
As I left the jungle behind, I arrived to the first viewpoint – Miradouro dos Caimbros. I decided to take a snack break here and just soak in the views. That´s where I wondered.. wait, aren´t those crazy rocks located where I´m headed? You can imagine the joyful feeling inside of me after that realisation 😁
Alagoa – the craziest campsite I have ever seen
The trail dropped steeply towards Alagoa, a spot that felt completely untouched (I mean there was one group with a tent, but the location itself was so serene.. I promised myself, shall I ever return to Flores, I am going to spend a night or two there, this spot is just too perfect. So if you want to split this day into two, this is the ideal place to do it, with its secluded beach, grills, and basic camping area. I took a well-earned break here, cooling off in the Atlantic before preparing for the next big climb. I mean just look at this beach!
PS This descent is VERY steep, so make sure you’re careful here. Especially with a heavier bag, it is not the most difficult task to land on your back here.
Obviously, the best feature of this campsite is.. the beach. You just go down the cliff, and then you can enjoy the peace in the crystal clear and (very) refreshing water.
Leaving Alagoa, the trail wasted no time getting back to business: a steep, relentless climb through the forest that eventually led to the Miradouro dos Cedros. From here, I finally caught sight of Corvo, sitting like a lost world in the Atlantic. Even with clouds rolling in, it was an awesome view.
It took me around 25 minutes to reach the main road again and the Cedros village eventually. From here, the trial towards Ponta Delgada threw a mix of coastal paths, jungle descents, a cute tiny waterfall and naturally, another steep climb on my way. Was it tiring? yes, rewarding? absolutely.
The final stretch to Ponta Delgada was pretty much a few kilometers of forest paths with a lot of fresh air, birds and empty mind. There was one kinda large stream to be jumped over on the stones or alternatively you can take your shoes off to cool down your feet.
I could see the clouds coming and didn´t really feel like finishing this up in the rain, so tried my best to arrive to Ponta Delgada as soon as I could, passing some odd-looking goats on my way. Ponta Delgada is rather tiny, so I quickly skipped through it, so I could pitch my tent before rain.
By the time I reached the tiny village, I was exhausted and amazed by how wild and untouched this island felt. I set up camp near the coast, Realised there was this little snack bar at the campsite, asked for a coke, and then murdered a burger with fries. I considered myself blessed in that moment. I took a shower, laid down and basically fell asleep listening to the waves crashing against the cliffs. What a way to end an epic first day!
TIPS FOR DAY 1 OF GRAND ROUTE OF FLORES
✅ Start early – This section is long and steep in places, so don’t leave it too late.
✅ Watch your step on jungle descents – Some sections get insanely slippery if it has rained.
✅ Consider camping at Alagoa if you want to break up the first day.
One day down, and already blown away. But trust me, Flores is just getting started. Ready for Day 2?
Stay tuned!
