Portugal hiking tours: Discover São Miguel’s wild side
Let São Miguel show you a wilder side of Portugal. This Azores-based itinerary is built for travelers who want more than just another stop on the map. It’s for those looking to explore volcanic trails, crater lakes, and coastal cliffs on foot, an ideal match for anyone interested in Portugal hiking tours.
From forested national parks to the rim of Sete Cidades, each day takes you deeper into the island’s natural beauty. You’ll walk alongside local guides, discover quiet villages, and relax in thermal springs between hikes. For curious travelers planning meaningful Portugal trips, this is a slower, more connected way to experience the country, far from the usual crowds and full of fresh air.
Portugal hiking tour highlights
- Crater-rim hikes with a local guide: Walk volcanic trails above Sete Cidades, with sweeping views and stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
- Farm-to-table Azorean meals: Sit down to fresh island cooking at working farms. Think local cheese, grilled fish, and pineapples grown in volcanic soil.
- Hidden hot springs and crater lakes: Soak in jungle-lined thermal pools and swim in remote lagoons tucked inside ancient calderas.
- Flexible cultural experiences: Visit local artisans, fishers, and chefs, each encounter shaped to match your interests and pace.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in São Miguel; private transfer to hotel | Orientation walk around Ponta Delgada | Local dinner with Azorean specialties |
| Day 2 | Guided hike around Sete Cidades crater rim | Explore twin lakes and Vista do Rei | Relax at thermal baths or hotel |
| Day 3 | Coastal trail hike from Rocha da Relva | Picnic lunch on the cliffs | Optional short walk or wine tasting |
| Day 4 | Forest hike in Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park | Waterfall stops and village visit | Dinner at a family-run restaurant |
| Day 5 | Lagoa do Fogo hike (half-day) | Scenic drive and geothermal stop at Caldeira Velha | Final sunset walk or celebratory meal |
| Day 6 | Morning at leisure | Private transfer to the airport | Departure |
Arrival in São Miguel
Touch down in São Miguel, the greenest of the Azores, and the starting point for one of the most memorable Portugal hiking tours out there. After a private transfer to your hotel in Ponta Delgada, take a light orientation walk through the city’s cobbled streets. You’ll pass 18th-century churches, markets filled with island-grown pineapples, and quiet waterfront promenades that feel a world away from mainland Portugal.
There’s time to relax or join a short coastal walk to stretch your legs before dinner. If you’re planning a trip to Portugal and want something beyond the usual city stops, this is it. As far as low-effort, high-reward introductions go, São Miguel sets the tone early. It’s wild, volcanic, and already whispering that this won’t be your average Portugal itinerary.
Tips from Goncalo
Portugal
Travel Expert
In São Miguel, go to the hot spring pool at Dona Beija in Furnas after dark. It’s open late, the crowds thin out, and the steam rising under the lights feels otherworldly. Bring a dark swimsuit, as the iron-rich water stains.
Sete Cidades Crater hike
You’ll start your first full day on one of the most iconic trails in the Azores. The hike along the crater rim of Sete Cidades delivers panoramic views of the twin lakes, one green and one blue, set inside an ancient volcanic caldera. The trail weaves through lush, hydrangea-lined paths, with sea cliffs visible in the distance. At Vista do Rei, the classic postcard view of the lakes opens up beneath you. Expect gentle slopes, firm paths, and constant views.
This is the kind of terrain that puts Portugal hiking tours on the map. After a picnic lunch, there's time to explore the nearby village or soak in a geothermal spring. For anyone looking to add a nature trip in the Azores to their travel plans, this day captures exactly why São Miguel is one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
Coastal trail and clifftop picnic
Head west for a lesser-known coastal trail that runs from the cliffside village of Rocha da Relva. Accessible only on foot or by donkey, the path zigzags down dramatic volcanic slopes lined with stone terraces and small farm plots. It’s quiet, rugged, and ideal for hikers looking for more remote Portugal hiking trips. You’ll descend to the sea, picnic on basalt rocks, and cool your feet in the Atlantic.
The trail back climbs gently, offering more coastal views and a few shady rest spots beneath fig trees. Later, there’s time to visit a vineyard or take a casual seaside stroll. Portugal adventure tours often promise untamed nature, but here on São Miguel, it’s the real deal.
Forest hike in Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Today’s hike takes you deep into the island’s northeast, where waterfalls and jungle-thick forests define the landscape. The trail through Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park leads past old watermills, steep ravines, and groves of Japanese cedar.
Mossy stone paths and wooden bridges give this hike a fairytale feel. You’ll stop for a local snack in the nearby village and maybe chat with artisans who still handcraft traditional lace and basketry.
This part of São Miguel feels a world apart from busier trails and gives a quieter, greener perspective on Portugal hiking tours. In the evening, unwind with a warm local meal and toast to the kind of experience that most Portugal travel itineraries miss entirely.
Lagoa do Fogo hike and thermal springs
Lagoa do Fogo, or “Lake of Fire,” sits in the heart of São Miguel and makes for one of the most rewarding day hikes in the Azores. The trail climbs through endemic forest before opening out to reveal the crater lake, often veiled in mist and rimmed by volcanic rock. It’s a moderate hike with a steady incline, offering sweeping views and very few crowds.
Pack swimwear, because after the descent, you’ll visit Caldeira Velha, a set of thermal pools hidden in a tropical ravine. Sink into naturally heated waters surrounded by ferns and steaming rocks. If you’re comparing Portugal hiking trips, this one nails the balance between effort and reward.
Departure from São Miguel
Spend your final morning soaking up island calm. Maybe take one last walk through Ponta Delgada’s marina or enjoy a lazy breakfast with ocean views. Your private transfer will get you to the airport with time to spare. As you leave São Miguel behind, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve seen a different side of Portugal, one shaped by lava fields, forested peaks, and crater lakes.
Portugal hiking tours come in many forms, but few offer such wild, uncrowded beauty. This journey stands out for its authenticity and connection to nature. If you’ve been exploring Portugal travel options and want something deeper than ticking off city stops, this route is worth repeating.
