Pico volcanic lagoon tour: Private walk and UNESCO vineyards

Walk beneath towering cedars to centuries-old vineyards framed by volcanic stone homes

A private four-hour tour of Pico's volcanic landscape, starting in the central plateau's cedar forest and lagoons, then descending to the north coast to see the UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces and traditional stone houses. The route covers Lagoa do Capitão, Lagoa do Caiado, the Dry Lagoon, and the villages of Cabrito dos Arcos and Lajido de Santa Luzia. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. The tour suits all fitness levels and includes all-terrain transport and children's car seats.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Pico Island's lagoons and villages

• Visit Lagoa do Capitão
• Hike for 30 minutes
• Tour Lagoa do Caiado
• Stop at Dry Lagoon
• Explore São Roque do Pico village
• Visit typical houses of Cabrito dos Arcos and Lajido de Santa Luzia
• See UNESCO vineyards in northern area

The experience

What's the best way to see Pico's volcanic heart without spending the whole day hiking? A private tour that moves between the island's two distinct landscapes (the forested plateau and the historic north coast) in a single morning. The route starts in the dense Japanese cedar forest surrounding Lagoa do Capitão, where a 30-minute walk takes you to calm waters ringed by native trees. From there you move through Lagoa do Caiado and the Dry Lagoon before descending to the coast.

The north coast is where Pico's identity crystallizes. The UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces rise in narrow stone walls across the landscape, a system built centuries ago and still worked by hand. You'll see the typical houses of Cabrito dos Arcos and Lajido de Santa Luzia: structures built from volcanic stone, their architecture shaped by the island's geology and the need to withstand Atlantic weather. These villages sit where the plateau meets the sea, and the contrast between the quiet forest and the working wine country is the point of the route.

All-terrain transport moves you between the stops, so the walking stays manageable and the four hours cover ground that would take much longer on foot. Children's car seats are available, and the guide (speaking your choice of English, Spanish or Portuguese) knows the specific stories of each lagoon and vineyard section. The tour is built for mixed fitness levels, which means the pace is steady but not strenuous.

What’s included

• All-terrain vehicle transport between stops.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• children's car seats and specialized infant seats.
• insurance coverage.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Terralta Nature Tours

Is this one for you?Four hours leaves room for another activity or meal elsewhere on Pico the same day, but it's long enough to move through both the plateau and the coast without rushing. Book this if you want to see the island's two distinct landscapes (forest and vineyard) in one outing without committing a full day to hiking.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Lagoa do Capitão and why is it the first stop?

Lagoa do Capitão is a natural freshwater lagoon on the central plateau, surrounded by cedro, loureiro and vinhatico trees native to the Azores. It's the starting point because the 30-minute walk from there sets the tone for the day: a gentle introduction to the island's forest before moving to the other lagoons.

Are the UNESCO vineyards something I can walk through, or just see from a distance?

You visit the vineyards on the northern area of the island as a stop on the tour route. The UNESCO designation covers the entire terrace system and the traditional stone walls that define the landscape. The tour shows you how they're built and still maintained, though the focus is on understanding the heritage rather than a detailed walk through the working vines themselves.

How much walking is involved over the four hours?

The main walk is the 30-minute hike around Lagoa do Capitão. The other stops (Lagoa do Caiado, the Dry Lagoon, and the villages) involve shorter walks to view the sites. All-terrain transport handles the movement between the major stops, so you're not hiking the whole route.

Is this tour suitable if I'm traveling with young children?

Yes. Specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is designed for all fitness levels, and the mix of short walks and transport time works well for families.