Private Hiking Tour São Miguel Island: Pick Your Trail

Four trails, one island: from crater lakes to waterfall ruins

A private hiking tour on São Miguel Island where you pick one trail from four options, each led by an experienced guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Serra da Devassa loops past the Muro das Nove Janelas aqueduct and Sete Cidades views; Trilho Moinhos do Félix descends to 19th-century mill ruins and waterfalls; Lagoa do Fogo climbs to a turquoise crater lake; Sanguinho Trail winds through laurel forest to Salto do Prego waterfall and a restored stone village. Pickup from Ponta Delgada is included. Outside the city, a fee applies.

Step-by-step itinerary

Choose and hike one scenic trail

• Select preferred hiking trail
• Start hike at trailhead
• Follow trail through natural sights
• Visit key landmarks and viewpoints
• Complete loop or round-trip hike

The experience

The four trails range from a 4.5-km loop in Faial da Terra to a 12-km trek, so the hike you choose shapes the day. Serra da Devassa takes 2–3 hours and stays moderate, winding through endemic Azorean heather to Pico da Cruz, where you see both Sete Cidades crater lakes at once. Trilho Moinhos do Félix is shorter (1.5–2 hours) and hugs the northern coast, dropping to waterfalls and a lagoon where you can swim if you bring a suit. Lagoa do Fogo is the longest and most demanding: a 4–5 hour climb through Japanese cedar forest with 500 meters of elevation gain, ending at a pristine turquoise lake ringed by green cliffs. Sanguinho Trail (2–3 hours) stays in the southeast, threading through laurel forest and past a waterfall to a quiet stone village where you can spot Azores buzzards.

Your guide meets you in Ponta Delgada and drives you to the trailhead. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and knows the volcanic geology, the endemic plants, and the history: the Muro das Nove Janelas aqueduct on Serra da Devassa dates back centuries, and the Moinho do Félix is a restored 19th-century water mill. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The trails are well-marked and suit intermediate hikers, though Serra da Devassa and Sanguinho work for most fitness levels. You choose where and what to eat, so pack a lunch or plan a stop in a village along the way.

What’s included

• Experienced guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• pickup from Ponta Delgada City.
• access to all four trail options so you choose which one suits your fitness and time.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 48 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Azores Dynamic Tours

Is this one for you?Pickup from Ponta Delgada means you don't need a car or rental to reach the trailheads, so anyone staying in the city or without transportation can book. If you're based outside Ponta Delgada, factor in the pickup fee when you reserve.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What is the Muro das Nove Janelas on the Serra da Devassa trail?

The Muro das Nove Janelas is a historic aqueduct you pass on the Serra da Devassa loop, part of the island's water management heritage. It sits along the 5-km trail as you climb toward Pico da Cruz and the Sete Cidades views.

Can I swim on any of these hikes?

The Trilho Moinhos do Félix ends at a tranquil lagoon where you can take a quick dip if you bring swimwear. The other trails don't include water deep enough for swimming, though Lagoa do Fogo itself is a crater lake you reach after the hike.

How long does the Lagoa do Fogo trail take, and is it steep?

Lagoa do Fogo is a 12-km round-trip that takes 4–5 hours and climbs 500 meters through forest. It's moderately challenging and suits intermediate hikers who are comfortable with sustained elevation gain.

Will the guide pick me up from my hotel in Ponta Delgada?

Pickup from inside Ponta Delgada City is included. If you're staying outside the city, a fee applies for the pickup service.

What plants and wildlife might I see on these trails?

The trails wind through endemic Azorean flora like heather and laurel forest, with Japanese cedar on the Lagoa do Fogo approach. You may spot local birdlife including the Azores buzzard, especially on the Sanguinho and Lagoa do Fogo trails.