JANELA DO INFERNO TRAIL – A HIDDEN GEM OF SÃO MIGUEL
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.
JANELA DO INFERNO TRAIL FACTS
Distance: The total distance for this hike was 6km
Hike duration: This hike’s duration was 1,5h
Elevation gain: The total elevation gain for this hike was 200m
Difficulty: This is an easy stroll without any difficult sections except for a narrow bridge that can face challenges if you have vertigo.
Gear needed: Comfy shoes and sun protection are a must. Read this guide if you’re unsure what else to bring.
My Strava map upload + GPS file: JANELA DO INFERNO
GETTING TO JANELA DO INFERNO TRAIL
By car: Finding a good spot to park was quite a challenge but after driving around this point we managed to find a nice spot. Best to arrive in the early morning!
By bus: Although there is a bus stop I found it almost impossible to navigate how buses work in that area, car is your best bet.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING JANELA DO INFERNO TRAIL
Janela do Inferno starts by following the road from the car park area, taking a right turn towards the descent. The path is mostly flanked by farms and the occasional cows, and it leads to a very intriguing tunnel entrance, marking the start of this awesome adventure. Into the tunnel, we go!
Into the jungle
Past the first tunnel, the environment transforms into a dense jungle, where the canopy above and the sound of flowing water from the nearby stream accompanied our every step. Crossing bridges, we were treated to the contrasting serenity of water against the wild backdrop. Absolutely stunning experience!
The Enigmatic Janela do Inferno
The trail’s climax is the Janela do Inferno (Window to Hell), a dramatic vertical wall adorned with springs and a cavity carved by relentless water erosion. At its base, an awesome natural pond hosts a thriving ecosystem, including newts that apparently are visible in various life stages. I guess they must have run away when we decided to take a dip and bathe inside the lagoon.
The Return Journey
The way back offers a fresh perspective, with majestic aqueducts once serving the old Alcohol Factory of Lagoa now supplying water to the municipality. The final stretch includes a 50m tunnel (that used to be an aqueduct once too!), leading us back to civilization.
Conclusion
The Janela do Inferno trail is a testament to São Miguel’s hidden gems! We loved the opportunity to glimpse into the island’s untamed beauty and its crazy jungle. Personally it’s one of my favorites hikes I did in Azores, it’s short – sure but there’s something magical about that little pond. I absolutely loved it.
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Wish you safe and happy hiking!
