Azores: Green Island Trails
8 Days & 7 Nights 5 Read 4 reviews- Walking to sparkling waterfalls, hot springs and crater lakes
- Viewing the green peaks of long-dormant volcanoes
- Taking a whale watching trip to spot sperm whales and other cetaceans
- Discovering verdant tropical forests with millennia-old trees
- Spotting endemic species of birds in Lago do Fogo
- Exploring the historical monuments and beautiful marina in the capital, Ponta Delgada
Tour Type:
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Activity:
Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.
This trip is suitable for:
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Islands
Activity Level & Terrain
This tour is suitable for people that are in good physical condition. This tour is rated easy to moderate. Although the daily distances are not that far, you should be aware that there are some elevation gains on all of the walks.
Navigation
You will be provided with detailed route notes and the itineraries traced out on maps which will be integrated into the route notes to help you find your way. You will also be provided with helpful hints such as information on local restaurants, museums, etc.
The walks mostly take place on coastal or inland footpaths and at times rocky tracks (driveable). Some of them are marked. However, please be aware that the trails are often poorly maintained and after rain may be slippery. It is, therefore, a good idea to bring hiking boots with good grips. Always bring a warm outer garment for walks on the caldera rims and ridges as it is can get cooler at the higher elevations.
We also provide you with access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App, which you can use to navigate. We strongly recommend using this App, or at least having it on your phone ready to use should you ever be in any doubt about your direction.
Accommodations
This self-guided walking tour in the Azores includes 7 nights in 2* and 3* hotels. All of the accommodations have been specifically chosen for their comfort and also for their great locations.
Alternative accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo walkers are also welcome for an additional charge.
Meals
7 Breakfasts are included. You can eat dinner in restaurants in the towns and villages close to your hotel or at your accommodations.
- 7 Nights in 2* and 3* Hotels
- 7 Breakfasts
- Car Rental (CAT B similar to a VW UP for 2 people)
- Whale watching trip
- Detailed maps, information pack, route notes
- GPX tracks and access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone Navigation App
- Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in the Azores and our office
- Travel to and from Ponta Delgada
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Additional nights before or after the holiday
When To Go
This walking tour is available to start on any day from April to the end of September.
Time of Year
Walking in the Azores is best during the months of April to the end of September.
Getting to the Start
On arrival at Ponta Delgada Airport, you can pick up your rental car and drive to your first night's accommodation. The journey from the airport to Ponta Delgada takes around 20 minutes. Ponta Delgada Airport is served by TAP Portugal and SATA Air Azores. SATA have direct flights from London Gatwick every Saturday between April and October.
Another option is to take a flight on a low-cost airline to Lisbon, then take SATA or TAP from here to Ponta Delgada.
You will drop off the car at the airport on completion of the trip.
Getting from the End
You will drop off the car at the airport on completion of the trip. The journey from Ponta Delgada to the Ponta Delgada Airport is approximately 20 minutes. Ponta Delgada Airport is served by TAP Portugal and SATA Air Azores.
SATA has direct flights to London Gatwick every Saturday between April and October. Another option is to take a flight on SATA or TAP from Ponta Delgada to Lisbon, then take a low-cost airline from Lisbon.
General Information
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Car Hire
You will be provided with an appropriate size car for your party. For a party of 2 this will be a CAT B car which will be similar to a VW Up. For a party of 3, you will be provided with a CAT C, similar to a Renault Clio and for a party of 4 you will be provided with a CAT D similar to Renault Capture. If you would like to upgrade your car just let us know and an upgrade fee will apply. The car rental package includes Unlimited KM, collection and return to Ponta Delgada Airport and Collision Damage Waiver. Additional insurance can be taken out locally. The excess on the car hire insurance is €700 which you can choose to reduce to €100 by paying a supplement of €19 per day locally.Equipment
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Ponta Delgada Day 2 The Sete Cidades Crater 7.5 miles / 12 km Day 3 Lago de Fogo Walk - 6 km 3.75 miles / 6 km Day 4 Drive to Furnas. Day at leisure. Day 5 Furnas Crater Walk - 10.5 km 6.5 miles / 10.5 km Day 6 Ribeira do Faial da Terra Walk - 5.5 km 3.4 miles / 5.5 km Day 7 Whale Watching. Drive to Ponta Delgada Day 8 Onward Travel
The Macs Way
-
Tried & Tested Adventures
-
Freedom
-
Book with Confidence
-
Expertise
-
Positive Impact
- Knowledgeable and helpful specialist trip planners
- Wide variety of tours to suit all interests and experience levels
- Start on any date that suits you
- Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
- Range of accommodation comfort levels
- Choice of trip styles
- Choose your own travel companions
- Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
- Make your own decisions
- Choose your own path
- Indulge your passions
- 18,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
- Feefo Platinum Award 2023
- 25,000+ travelers trust us each year
- As featured in the Guardian, Times, Nat Geo Traveler
- Founder owned & operated since 2003
- 100+ passionate team members across the US, UK & Europe
- Carefully planned adventures
- Quality, hand-picked accommodations
- Seamless and reliable arrangements
- Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
- Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
- Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
- Travel responsibly
- Explore off the beaten track
- Support locally owned businesses
- Engage with local communities
- Minimize your impact
- Maximize the benefit of your travel
- Challenge yourself & grow
Blog Articles
-
Sao Miguel: The Green Island of Azores - Europe's Best Kept Secret?Sao Miguel, the largest of the Azores archipelago, is a mere blip in ... -
Active Travel in Portugal - Where Should I Go?Outside of the Algarve, Portugal is a country that is often overlooke ...
-
Eating and Drinking in PortugalPortuguese cuisine is not what springs to mind when thinking about th ...
Canada