8 - 13 km
100 - 500 m
8 Days & 7 Nights
Serra Devassa, the area with the largest number of lagoons of São Miguel Island
- Tour Grade
- Distance
8 – 13 km / day
- Profile
Hilly but soft climbs
- Route
Hiking trails
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Itinerary
Arrival in Ponta Delgada
On the day of your arrival, our guide will welcome you at the airport of Ponta Delgada and transfer you to your accommodation .
Here you can rest, prepare for the next days or go for a walk around the city. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to go to "Casa do Chá", the only place in Europe where Camellia, a plant from which tea is produced, is cultivated and processed. Taste the delicious local tea and enjoy the landscape around you.
Hike Furnas Loop
The first day of your adventure will start at Furnas, which is located inside a volcano in the center of São Miguel Island.
While you walk around the Furnas Lake, where steaming and bubbling “caldeiras” can be observed, take some time to explore it and even take a swim in this therapeutic and warm waters. Terra Nostra Park, known for its two century old trees, is located right at the beginning of your track and can also be a beautiful place to spend some time.
Hike Pico da Vara
After a short 15 minute transfer, you will depart for the ascent of the Pico da Vara (the highest point of São Miguel Island at 1.105 m) and later go to the Pico do Carvalho (950 m).
These paths were used in the past by the "elders" to access the forest where they produced charcoal and kept livestock. This route crosses a regulated protection zone, where, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the Azores Bullfinch, an endangered species that is unique to this island! A 40 minute transfer will take you to your hotel in Vila Franca.
Whale Watching
Let’s take a break today and instead of exploring the land, explore the magnificent Atlantic Ocean for a change.
The meeting point is walking distance from your hotel and here you have the perfect opportunity to head out to the sea and to do some whale watching, and hopefully look at some other species of cetaceans too. The sea life in Azores is very rich, due to its placement in the middle of the Atlantic, so here you might be able to see some of the 27 species of marine mammals and have lots of fun.
Hike Lagoa do Fogo
Today, after a short 10 minute transfer, you will start with a climb through a forest of eucalyptus, pittosporum and acacias and follow a stream before reaching the shore of Lagoa do Fogo.
This hike offers superb views of the southern coast of São Miguel, Vila Franca do Campo and its islet, and the Ribeira da Praia. Note that this course is carried out entirely in an area classified as a Natural Reserve. It is everyone's responsibility to contribute to its protection and to guarantee its biodiversity by conserving this natural habitat. A 25 minute transfer will take you to your next accommodation.
Hike Lagoa das Sete Cidades
It will take only 25 minutes to get to the start of today's adventure which is a hike around the Lagoa das Sete Cidades.
There we will discover one of the most beautiful “caldeiras” of the Azores. Two lakes Blue Lagoon and Green Lagoon(Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde) are nestled in the huge crater of this volcano, offering an impressive and surprising landscape to be enjoyed and appreciated. It is the most famous natural place of the island and a great location to hike. The return to the Hotel will take 35 minutes by car.
Hike Lagoa do Canário
In the morning, you will have free time in Ponta Delgada to visit the market, the cathedral and the alleys of its old merchant port.
Later you will be transferred (25 min) to the starting point of this day's hike, from which you will climb up the Serra Devassa, an area with the largest number of lagoons of São Miguel Island. In addition to Lagoa do Canário, you can discover Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa do Carvão; among many others! This fantastic walk around volcanic lakes and along the ridges is sometimes accompanied by fog which gives it a special atmosphere. A 25 minute transfer back to Ponta Delgada will end the day.
Departure
Our splendid program has come to an end.
We hope that the memories and experiences that we have created and shared stay with you forever. Come back soon to discover some more of Portugal's Nature Trails!
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