3-Day Hiking Tour Natal: Volcanic Trails & Natural Monuments

Hike volcanic craters and lava tunnels, then swim in pools carved from rock

A 3-day hiking tour in Natal combines three separate trails across the island, each with a moderate to difficult hike and visits to natural monuments. Day one explores the Mistérios Negros lava tunnels and fumarolic field inside an empty volcano. Day two follows the coastal Baías da Agualva walk to a waterfall and natural park with views of one of the Azores' largest craters. Day three crosses the Rocha do Chambre trail through Japanese Cedar forests and geothermal wells, ending in Biscoitos to see vineyards and volcanic swimming pools. Lunch is included daily.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hiking Trail and Cave Visits

• Walk Mistérios Negros trail
• Visit circular lava tunnels
• Walk fumarolic field path
• Visit inside empty volcano
• Lunch at local restaurant

Day 2: Coastal Walk and Nature Park

• Walk Baías da Agualva trail
• Visit Parque das Frechas waterfall
• Enjoy panoramic crater view
• Picnic style lunch

Day 3: Rocha do Chambre Trail and Biscoitos

• Walk Rocha do Chambre trail
• Visit Biscoitos vineyards and pools
• Lunch at local restaurant

The experience

Each day centers on one hiking trail, each roughly 2 to 4 hours long and circular, so you return to where you started. The Mistérios Negros walk runs 5 kilometers through volcanic rock and vegetation, passing through lava tunnels of basaltic rock and a fumarolic field where gases still escape from the ground. Inside the empty volcano, you see how eruption shaped the monument itself. The Baías da Agualva trail hugs the coast for 4.5 kilometers at a medium difficulty, climbing to 100 meters and offering sea views the whole way. Afterward you visit Parque das Frechas to see a waterfall and swim, then stand at a vantage point overlooking a massive crater filled with green pasture.

The third day's Rocha do Chambre trail is the longest at 9 kilometers and the most strenuous, with 235 meters of elevation gain, but it passes through Cryptoméria forests and runs alongside a volcanic caldera and geothermal wells. After lunch, you move to Biscoitos in the afternoon to walk through vineyards planted on rock and explore natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rock formations. A local guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese or French leads all three days, and hotel pickup is included.

Note that Algar do Carvão, one of the island's natural monuments, has its interpretation center closed for works until summer 2026, so that particular site is not part of this tour at present.

What’s included

• Local guide for all three days.
• lunch each day.
• hotel pickup.
• access to hiking trails, lava caves, natural swimming pools and natural monuments across the island.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by TuriAzores - Animação Turística

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're comfortable with moderate to difficult hiking and want a guide who speaks your language. The three-day structure lets you tackle longer trails like the 9-kilometer Rocha do Chambre without rushing, and the daily lunch means you don't need to plan meals between hikes.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What is the Mistérios Negros and what do you see there?

Mistérios Negros is a protected natural reservation in the island's interior where you walk a circular 5-kilometer trail through volcanic rock and vegetation, then explore circular lava tunnels formed by basaltic rock from a volcanic eruption, a fumarolic field where gases still escape from the ground, and the inside of an empty volcano to see how the eruption process created this natural monument.

How difficult are the hiking trails and how long does each one take?

The first trail, Mistérios Negros, runs 2.5 to 3 hours at a moderate to difficult level over 5 kilometers. The second, Baías da Agualva, takes 2.5 hours at medium difficulty over 4.5 kilometers along the coast. The third, Rocha do Chambre, is the longest at approximately 4 hours and moderate difficulty over 9 kilometers with 235 meters of elevation gain. All three are circular walks that return to the starting point.

What can you do in Biscoitos on the final afternoon?

In Biscoitos you visit the village center to see vineyards planted on rock-bottom soil and natural swimming pools made of volcanic rock, so you can swim if you wish.

Is there a viewpoint that shows the crater landscape you mentioned?

Yes, from Parque das Frechas on day two you get a panoramic view of one of the largest craters in the Azores islands, composed of a green pasture landscape with the distinctive patchwork pattern the region is known for.