Hiking in São Miguel: Lagoa do Fogo or Nordeste
To hike in São Miguel with a guide, choose Lagoa do Fogo if you want an English-speaking guide: about 12 km in 7 hours according to the itinerary, with a picnic-style lunch. If you prefer waterfalls and viewpoints in the Nordeste, the Faial da Terra route lasts 7 h 30 min, with an English and Portuguese-speaking guide.
Tours for your route
São MiguelHiking at Lagoa do Fogo
Walk around the crater lake, with a picnic-style lunch.
Details and link
São MiguelThe northeast and hiking in Faial da Terra
Waterfalls and cliffs of the northeast on a hike.
Details and link
What is each route like?
The Lagoa do Fogo hike leaves Ponta Delgada heading west, covers about 12 km, according to the itinerary, through eucalyptus forest, reaches a levada and the edge of the lake, and ends with a stop at Água d'Alto beach. The Nordeste one starts in Faial da Terra and passes Sanguinho, the Salto do Prego waterfall and the old fishing port. Then it continues to the Ponta do Sossego and Vista dos Barcos viewpoints and the Ribeira dos Caldeirões nature park.
What does each listing include?
Lagoa do Fogo includes a minibus, an English-speaking guide and a picnic-style lunch. Nordeste includes a coach or minibus, an English and Portuguese-speaking guide, a picnic-style lunch and hiking poles. Neither reports anything as not included and neither is wheelchair accessible. The minimum age for both is 6 years.
How do you choose according to how you travel?
Duration and language usually decide. The Lagoa do Fogo hike is a seven-hour walk, with lunch by the lake. The Nordeste one mixes walking and stops by vehicle, and at Salto do Prego there is time for a swim if you feel like it. The starting point also differs: the first leaves from Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral, and the second from Marina Portas do Mar.
What should you check before setting out?
Check the trail conditions and the official routes on Trilhos dos Açores, and the weather on IPMA, because in the Azores it changes quickly. Visit Azores recommends suitable footwear for geotourism. To see the places separately, see the Lagoa do Fogo, Nordeste and Sete Cidades pages.
Frequently asked questions
Which hike in São Miguel has an English-speaking guide?
Both. The Lagoa do Fogo listing states an English-speaking guide, and the Nordeste one an English and Portuguese-speaking guide.
How many kilometres is the Lagoa do Fogo route?
The itinerary mentions about 12 kilometres, within a 7-hour tour.
Is food included?
Both include a picnic-style lunch. On the Nordeste tour, the listing describes it as a sandwich, a pastry, fruit, juices and water.
Can you swim on either route?
At Salto do Prego, the Nordeste listing says there is time for a swim if you wish.
What is the cancellation policy?
Lagoa do Fogo: free up to 6 hours before. Nordeste: free up to 48 hours before, and with more than 24 hours' notice 50% is refunded.