Quad biking Sete Cidades: Off-road volcano crater tour

You steer the quad yourself across volcanic ridges between two crater lakes.

An off-road quad biking activity in Sete Cidades, Azores, where you ride your own vehicle through volcano crater terrain for three to four hours with a guide, helmets and insurance. A valid driving licence and credit card are required. The minimum group is two adults. Children are welcome from age seven. Tours run in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and the date can shift with weather at no extra cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Off-road excursion in Sete Cidades

• Meet at meeting point
• Visit Miradouro do pico do Carvão
• Stop at viewpoint
• Visit Vista do Rei
• Explore Lagoa das Sete Cidades
• Stop at viewpoint
• Stop at another viewpoint
• Optional activity
• Return to office (Valados)

The experience

You meet at the office in Valados and ride out to the crater rim. The route takes you past Miradouro do Pico do Carvão and Vista do Rei, two named viewpoints that frame the valley below. The terrain is off-road (dirt, gravel, steep pitches), and you control the throttle and the line. A guide leads the group and stops at each vantage to let you take in the two crater lakes and the ridge that divides them.

The ride lasts three to four hours. You wear a helmet throughout, and the operator covers personal insurance and fuel. Before you start, you sign a liability statement and place a 500-euro safety deposit on a credit card (cancelled within 72 hours after the tour ends). The vehicles carry third-party insurance, but you are responsible for any damage you cause. Bring a valid driving licence. It must be recognized in Portugal.

One stop is marked optional in the itinerary, so the guide can adjust the route if the group wants to linger at a viewpoint or if weather shifts the plan. The tour ends back at the office. Public transport runs nearby if you need an alternative way to the meeting point.

What’s included

• Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• helmet.
• fuel.
• personal insurance.
• liability waiver signed before departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:30 and 13:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ANC Azores Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to ride the quad yourself rather than watch a guide demonstrate. You steer through the crater terrain for the full three to four hours and set your own pace at each stop. The off-road route and the physical demands suit riders with at least moderate fitness who are comfortable on uneven ground. It is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 11 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

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 is the terrain like on a Sete Cidades quad bike tour?

The route crosses off-road volcanic ground (dirt, gravel and steep sections) through the crater rim between two lakes. You navigate the terrain yourself while a guide leads the group and stops at named viewpoints including Miradouro do Pico do Carvão and Vista do Rei.

Do I need a driving licence to ride a quad in Sete Cidades?

Yes, a valid driving licence recognized in Portugal is required. You must present it before the tour starts.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The operator can change the tour date at no cost to you if weather conditions make the ride unsafe. You choose a new date that works for your schedule.

Is there a minimum group size for a Sete Cidades quad bike tour?

The minimum is two adults. Children are welcome from age seven.

What does the quad bike tour include?

The tour includes a guide, helmet, fuel, and personal insurance. You pay a 500-euro safety deposit on a credit card before riding, which the operator cancels within 72 hours after the tour ends.