São Miguel Trails for the Lazy and the Active
The Azores are a perfect destination to reconnect with nature, and there’s no better way to do that than by walking. São Miguel Island is crisscrossed with beautiful trails of varying lengths, steepness, and difficulty, so everyone can find the perfect hike.
Most hikes on this volcanic island involve some degree of ascent, but there are a few excellent routes with minimal elevation change and no steep stretches. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite routes, ranging from fun and easy walks to medium-difficulty trails featuring fascinating natural and man-made sights, as well as challenging hikes that lead to breathtaking viewpoints!
And don’t forget one of the best perks of traveling by campervan: you can park right by the trail, enjoy the hike outside peak hours, and freshen up with a shower as soon as you’re done!
Most hikes on this volcanic island involve some degree of ascent, but there are a few excellent routes with minimal elevation change and no steep stretches. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite routes, ranging from fun and easy walks to medium-difficulty trails featuring fascinating natural and man-made sights, as well as challenging hikes that lead to breathtaking viewpoints!
And don’t forget one of the best perks of traveling by campervan: you can park right by the trail, enjoy the hike outside peak hours, and freshen up with a shower as soon as you’re done!
For Those Who Enjoy Easy Walks
Lagoa das Furnas (PRC06 SMI)
- Category: Circular
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 9.5 km
- Average Duration: 3h00
- Elevation Change: 140m
The entire Furnas volcanic area feels like a vast botanical garden—locals don’t seem to have front yards; instead, they have parks! This trail takes you around the lake, where you’ll see the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, a stunning 19th-century Gothic construction. You’ll also pass by (or visit!) the Mata Jardim José do Canto garden, the Furnas Environmental Interpretation Centre, and the famous geothermal cooking site, where local restaurants prepare the traditional Cozido stew.
The official trailhead starts in the town, requiring some uphill and downhill walking. However, if you prefer, you can skip this section and simply walk around the lake.
- Category: Circular
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 9.5 km
- Average Duration: 3h00
- Elevation Change: 140m
The entire Furnas volcanic area feels like a vast botanical garden—locals don’t seem to have front yards; instead, they have parks! This trail takes you around the lake, where you’ll see the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, a stunning 19th-century Gothic construction. You’ll also pass by (or visit!) the Mata Jardim José do Canto garden, the Furnas Environmental Interpretation Centre, and the famous geothermal cooking site, where local restaurants prepare the traditional Cozido stew.
The official trailhead starts in the town, requiring some uphill and downhill walking. However, if you prefer, you can skip this section and simply walk around the lake.
Chá Gorreana (PRC28 SMI)
- Category: Circular
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 3.4 km
- Average Duration: 1h30
- Elevation Change: 175m
This scenic route through tea plantations begins at the Gorreana Tea Factory in the northern part of the island. The first half of the trail climbs gently through forested and agricultural areas, but once you reach the highest point (just 150m above the starting elevation), a pleasant descent begins.
This path was once used by workers during the tea harvest and winds its way down between the plantations, leading back to the factory. At the end of the hike, you can relax with a cup of tea (or coffee) on the large terrace, which offers stunning views of the plantations and the ocean.
Gorreana is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and a great place to pick up meaningful souvenirs from the Azores.
- Category: Circular
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 3.4 km
- Average Duration: 1h30
- Elevation Change: 175m
This scenic route through tea plantations begins at the Gorreana Tea Factory in the northern part of the island. The first half of the trail climbs gently through forested and agricultural areas, but once you reach the highest point (just 150m above the starting elevation), a pleasant descent begins.
This path was once used by workers during the tea harvest and winds its way down between the plantations, leading back to the factory. At the end of the hike, you can relax with a cup of tea (or coffee) on the large terrace, which offers stunning views of the plantations and the ocean.
Gorreana is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and a great place to pick up meaningful souvenirs from the Azores.
Quatro Fábricas da Luz (PR39 SMI)
- Category: Linear
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2.1 km
- Average Duration: 1h30
- Elevation Change: 125m
Despite being the shortest trail on the island, this route offers plenty to see, including three waterfalls and an abandoned hydroelectric power station. It’s fascinating to witness how nature reclaims structures once abandoned—huge rusted transformers covered in moss, crumbling walls, and wild trees growing over what was once a key part of industrialization.
Since this is a linear trail, you’ll likely walk it back and forth. Starting from the lowest point allows you to climb up first and then enjoy a leisurely descent.
- Category: Linear
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2.1 km
- Average Duration: 1h30
- Elevation Change: 125m
Despite being the shortest trail on the island, this route offers plenty to see, including three waterfalls and an abandoned hydroelectric power station. It’s fascinating to witness how nature reclaims structures once abandoned—huge rusted transformers covered in moss, crumbling walls, and wild trees growing over what was once a key part of industrialization.
Since this is a linear trail, you’ll likely walk it back and forth. Starting from the lowest point allows you to climb up first and then enjoy a leisurely descent.
Trails That Require Some Effort
Praia – Lagoa do Fogo (PR02 SMI)
- Category: Linear (Roundtrip)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 11 km
- Average Duration: 4h00
- Elevation Change: 400m
Lagoa do Fogo translates to "Lake of Fire," but if the name makes you think of fog, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong—this volcanic peak is often shrouded in mist. Fortunately, you can check visibility from many points on the island: if you spot the tall antenna towers at the top, it’s a sign the weather is clear and it’s time to go!
This trail begins on the southern side of the island and ascends to the lake, passing an old fiber production factory and following a levada (irrigation channel). The journey culminates in stunning viewpoints over the lake and the northern coast.
- Category: Linear (Roundtrip)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 11 km
- Average Duration: 4h00
- Elevation Change: 400m
Lagoa do Fogo translates to "Lake of Fire," but if the name makes you think of fog, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong—this volcanic peak is often shrouded in mist. Fortunately, you can check visibility from many points on the island: if you spot the tall antenna towers at the top, it’s a sign the weather is clear and it’s time to go!
This trail begins on the southern side of the island and ascends to the lake, passing an old fiber production factory and following a levada (irrigation channel). The journey culminates in stunning viewpoints over the lake and the northern coast.
Rocha da Relva (PR20 SMI)
- Category: Circular
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Average Duration: 3h00
- Elevation Change: 600m
Rocha da Relva offers a perfect mix of hiking, historical sightseeing, and a beach day. Despite being close to Ponta Delgada, the island’s largest town, this old village has never been connected to the road network. To this day, transport relies on donkeys and off-road motorbikes.
The trail descends about 600m to the sea, passing by wine cellars, houses, and vineyards framed by black basalt rock walls. In summer, fruit trees along the route are heavy with ripe fruit, but please refrain from picking anything—it belongs to the villagers.
- Category: Circular
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Average Duration: 3h00
- Elevation Change: 600m
Rocha da Relva offers a perfect mix of hiking, historical sightseeing, and a beach day. Despite being close to Ponta Delgada, the island’s largest town, this old village has never been connected to the road network. To this day, transport relies on donkeys and off-road motorbikes.
The trail descends about 600m to the sea, passing by wine cellars, houses, and vineyards framed by black basalt rock walls. In summer, fruit trees along the route are heavy with ripe fruit, but please refrain from picking anything—it belongs to the villagers.
Hikes for Athletic People
Pico da Vara (from Planalto Graminhais)
- Category: Linear (Round trip)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 14 km
- Average Duration: 4h00
- Elevation Change: 600m
Pico da Vara, the highest point on São Miguel, offers stunning panoramic views of both the north and south coasts. The most common trail (PRC07 SMI) zigzags through a forest of Cryptomeria japonica, with the breathtaking view reserved only for the summit. We would recommend you to take the alternative path from the side of Furnas, which goes along the rim and offers awesome views all the way. This trail is also better if you are travelling with a campervan for the convenient parking and better quality of the road.
- Category: Linear (Round trip)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 14 km
- Average Duration: 4h00
- Elevation Change: 600m
Pico da Vara, the highest point on São Miguel, offers stunning panoramic views of both the north and south coasts. The most common trail (PRC07 SMI) zigzags through a forest of Cryptomeria japonica, with the breathtaking view reserved only for the summit. We would recommend you to take the alternative path from the side of Furnas, which goes along the rim and offers awesome views all the way. This trail is also better if you are travelling with a campervan for the convenient parking and better quality of the road.
Rota da Água – Entre Túneis e Condutas (PR42 SMI)
- Category: Linear
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 15 km
- Average Duration: 5h00
- Elevation Change: 350m
This is the longest trail on the island, stretching from Remédios to Água do Pau. It follows an ancient water route, passing old bridges, aqueducts, clay pipelines, levadas (water channels), and tunnels.
Make sure to bring a flashlight for the tunnels, and pay attention to signs, as this trail intersects with several others. For those who love an extra challenge, since it’s a linear trail, you can always hike back the same way—doubling the distance for a truly intense workout!
- Category: Linear
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 15 km
- Average Duration: 5h00
- Elevation Change: 350m
This is the longest trail on the island, stretching from Remédios to Água do Pau. It follows an ancient water route, passing old bridges, aqueducts, clay pipelines, levadas (water channels), and tunnels.
Make sure to bring a flashlight for the tunnels, and pay attention to signs, as this trail intersects with several others. For those who love an extra challenge, since it’s a linear trail, you can always hike back the same way—doubling the distance for a truly intense workout!
Mata do Canário - Sete Cidades (PR4SMI)
Category: Linear
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 11.8 km
Average Duration: 3h
Elevation Change: 750m
Sete Cidades is the island’s most iconic destination, featuring two picturesque lakes nestled within a volcanic crater. A charming village lies nearby, surrounded by lush green pastures and grazing cows. This scenic hike takes you along two-thirds of the lake’s perimeter, ascending from water level to the crater’s rim. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the crater’s interior, lakes, volcanic formations, and the island’s north coast.
For those seeking an extra challenge, you can complete the loop by returning via the main road—just be sure to walk safely along the side!
Category: Linear
Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 11.8 km
Average Duration: 3h
Elevation Change: 750m
Sete Cidades is the island’s most iconic destination, featuring two picturesque lakes nestled within a volcanic crater. A charming village lies nearby, surrounded by lush green pastures and grazing cows. This scenic hike takes you along two-thirds of the lake’s perimeter, ascending from water level to the crater’s rim. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the crater’s interior, lakes, volcanic formations, and the island’s north coast.
For those seeking an extra challenge, you can complete the loop by returning via the main road—just be sure to walk safely along the side!
As we mentioned in the beginning, São Miguel is famous for its hiking opportunities, so we couldn’t list here all the awesome trails it offers. You can always find more routes in the alltrails, wikiloc, and https://trails.visitazores.com/
For the unforgettable experience download our campervan travel guide to craft the perfect campervan adventure!
For the unforgettable experience download our campervan travel guide to craft the perfect campervan adventure!
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