Azores Trails: cautions and recommendations

The Azores’ trails are as iconic as its landscapes and are a big part of the archipelago’s identity. They are not only an excellent way to explore the islands in a more in-depth way, but also to experience a more direct contact with nature.

Follow us on this list and learn about the most popular trails on each island of the archipelago and the safety measures you should have in order to enjoy these experiences to the fullest!

Preparation

To perform any trail, you will need to prepare properly. Thus, we advise you to bring:

• appropriate footwear, which will allow you to walk on rougher terrain;

• clothing that facilitates adaptation to the variation in climate

• a bag for your garbage

• sunscreen;

• water;

• first aid kit;

• and high spirits!

Regarding precautions to take:

• Inform yourself carefully about the trail you will be hiking and the specific precautions to take on it;

• Inform yourself about the signs that you may find during your trek and the meaning of each one of them;

• Find out about the weather forecast in the area and how the weather can affect your walk;

  Inform others that you will be hiking the trail and what time you plan to return;

• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged, in case you need to make any emergency calls;

• Have the emergency contacts with you:

  • SOS Environment: 800 292 800;

  • European Emergency Number: 112.

• You can, if you prefer, keep your cell phone location on, in case you need to alert authorities as to your position;

• If you leave your car near the trailhead, make sure it doesn’t obstruct other vehicles;

Trails

Santa Maria

Costa Sul – PR05 SMA

Category: Linear

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 8 km

Duration: 3h00

As the name indicates, this trail along the south coast of the island will allow you to enjoy a variety of coastal landscapes, beginning at São Brás Fort and ending at Praia Formosa.

Along the way you will pass through green fields and some viewpoints with magnificent views over the slopes of Santa Maria. One of the most interesting points on the route is Pedreira do Campo, because, besides the peaceful walk along the walkways here, this place is of enormous importance due to its deposits of sedimentary rocks with fossils. In this sense, the island of Santa Maria stands out in relation to the other islands of the archipelago, for being the only one that has fossils.

São Miguel

Boilers of Ribeira Grande – Salto do Cabrito – PRC29 SMI

Category: Circular

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 8.5 km

Duration: 2h30

This trail will give you access to a real pearl of São Miguel island, the Salto do Cabrito waterfall. This waterfall is over 40 meters high and falls into a natural pool where you can bathe.

The trail starts at the Ribeira Grande boiler room area and passes by a variety of boilers and green spaces, as well as the Fajã do Redondo Hydroelectric Power Plant (which formerly served to reinforce the electricity supply of the city of Ponta Delgada) and the Fajã do Redondo Dam.

Since the trail is circular, it will end near the boilers of Ribeira Grande, giving you a great opportunity to relax at the end of the trail.

Terceira

Mistérios Negros – PRC01 TER

Category: Circular

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 4.9 km

Duration: 2h30

The Mistérios Negros trail is part of a series of environmental protection and conservation areas such as: the natural reserve of the Serra de Santa Bárbara; the Mistérios Negros of the Terceira Natural Park; the Special Area of Conservation of the Serra de Santa Bárbara; Pico Alto of the Natura 2000 Network; and finally the Geosite Caldeira de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros.

The trail starts near Lagoa do Negro and ends in the same location, and is a circular route. Along the way you will pass by a set of lagoons, only one of which is full throughout the year.

Along this route you can also enjoy a fantastic view of the central massif of Terceira island and you will also pass by Pico do Gaspar.

Graciosa

Serra Branca – Beach – PR01 GRA

Category: Linear

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 8.7 km

Duration: 2h30

Starting in the area of Serra Branca, this linear trail goes through a set of volcanic structures, providing privileged views due to the altitude. The trail starts at an altitude of about 360 meters, having a descending path from there and ending in the parish of Praia, from where you can see the Praia Islet, the only habitat of the Painho-de-Monteiro bird in the world.

São Jorge

Serra do Topo – Caldeira do Santo Cristo – Fajã dos Cubres – PR01 SJO

Category: Linear

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 9.5 km

Duration: 2h30

Starting at the wind farm of Serra do Topo, this trail will allow you to see two of the most beautiful and known fajãs of São Jorge, Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo.

If you are a surfing enthusiast you can even practice the sport on the latter fajã.
The path is a bit long and has a medium difficulty rating, mostly due to the combination of slippery floors and steep descents.

The trail passes through both fajãs mentioned above, ending at Fajã dos Cubres.

Pico

Caminhos das Lagoas – PR19PIC

Category: Linear

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 22.2 km

Duration: 7h

This is undoubtedly the longest trail on our list, but equally rewarding. The trail will take you through the interior of the island, giving you direct contact with nature and providing some impressive views that only Pico island can provide.

As the name implies, this trail focuses on the discovery of numerous lagoons, each one with a better landscape than the last, such as Lagoa do Caiado, Lagoa Seca, Lagoa do Paúl, among many others.

At certain points along the way, depending on the weather, you can see the island of São Jorge as well as Terceira. As if this wasn’t good enough, you will have a view of the imposing Pico Mountain during most of the trail. The 7 hour duration doesn’t seem so long now, does it?

Faial

Caldeira – PRC04 FAI

Category: Circular

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 6.8 km

Duration: 2h30

This trail is a bit peculiar and differs slightly from the others on this list, as it goes along the “crest” of the Caldeira do Faial, always between the altitudes of 840 and 1040 meters. So be aware of the weather conditions, as your experience will be much more impactful with good weather and visibility.

The main moments of this route will be the view to the Caldeira, the visit to the Ermida de São João, the view to Capelinhos and, with some luck, the view to Pico.

Flores Island

Lajedo – Fajã Grande – PR02 FLO

Category: Linear

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 13.1 km

Duration: 3h30

The trail starts in the parish of Lajedo and ends in the parish of Fajã Grande. In some parts of the path, the floor can become slippery, since it’s made of stone. Due to this and its medium difficulty rating, we advise some care and appropriate material for this trail.

Along the way, you will come across fantastic landscapes, especially the Ribeira do Ferreiro Well. This place consists of an extensive green wall, from which develop about 20 waterfalls. It provides a monumental view and is a true ex-libris of the island of Flores.

Corvo Island

Caldeirão – PRC02 COR

Category: Circular

Difficulty: Medium

Length: 4.8 km

Duration: 2h30

Starting at the Miradouro do Caldeirão, this trail provides an experience deeply connected to nature and landscapes not to be missed.

The trail allows you to not only enjoy a breathtaking view of the center of Caldeirão, but it will also allow you to walk along the edge of the lagoon located in its center.

You are also likely to encounter several types of livestock along the way, but you should not disturb them.

Don’t waste any time, pack your bags and come venture into the trails of the Azores!