Sete Cidades Quad Bike Tour: 845m Mountain Views & Crater Lakes

You drive the quad up to 845 meters and see the whole island drop away

You drive your own quad up mountain trails to Pico da Cruz at 845 meters, where you see the Sete Cidades crater lakes and most of São Miguel Island spread below. The tour includes a guide, helmet, insurance, and fuel, and takes you through rally terrain, heritage sites, and coastal villages on a half-day loop from Ponta Delgada. Bring warm layers and rain gear for the altitude and changeable weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Quad biking tour around Sete Cidades

• Start tour at Fenais da Luz
• Ride along seafront and dirt roads
• Visit Muro das Nove Janelas aqueduct
• Ascend Pico da Cruz mountain
• Enjoy views of Sete Cidades lakes
• Stop at Vista da Rainha viewpoint
• See Miradouro das Cumeeiras viewpoint
• Explore dirt paths around Blue Lagoon
• Pass through Capelas village
• Return to Fenais da Luz via seafront dirt roads

The experience

The engine noise cuts through the Azores wind as you leave the north coast at Fenais da Luz and climb onto paved roads that quickly turn to dirt. You're steering the quad yourself (not a passenger, but the one making the throttle decisions), and the trail tightens as the altitude climbs. Your guide rides ahead, checking the conditions, and within an hour you're at Pico da Cruz, where the view stops you cold. From 845 meters up, you can see Lagoa Rasa, Lagoa de Santiago, and the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades (one green, one blue) spread out like someone poured two different skies into the same volcanic bowl. On a clear day, you're looking at almost the whole island from up there.

The quad biking tour doesn't just park you at viewpoints. It threads you through the actual terrain. You'll ride past the Muro das Nove Janelas, an old aqueduct that's a heritage site, then cut through dirt paths that are part of the Azores Airlines Rallye course, so yeah, you're on real rally terrain, not a manicured track. The route swings down to Vista da Rainha and Miradouro das Cumeeiras, where you get the crater from the opposite side, and then dips into Cerrado das Freiras with views over the blue lagoon that shift as you move. You pass through Capelas village on the way back, where the old whale factory chimney still stands from when the industry shut down in 1970. It's a small detail, but it anchors the ride to the actual place instead of just the scenery.

The whole thing runs about four hours, and you need a valid driving license and at least moderate fitness. This isn't a gentle cruise. The guide handles safety briefings at each stop and knows the conditions, which matters because weather in the Azores can shift fast, and some dirt sections are only passable when dry. You get a helmet, insurance, fuel, and the guide's company throughout. Bring a warm coat and rain gear. You're climbing into cloud cover sometimes, and the wind at altitude is real. If you've ridden ATVs or motorcycles before, the quad biking feels natural. If not, tell the operator during booking so they can assess whether this is the right fit for your skill level.

What’s included

• Your half-day includes a professional guide, ATV fuel, safety helmet, and full insurance coverage.
• You'll start and end at Fenais da Luz on the north coast, ride paved and dirt roads through the Sete Cidades area, stop at Pico da Cruz, Vista da Rainha, and Miradouro das Cumeeiras for views of the crater lakes, pass through Cerrado das Freiras and Capelas village, and explore dirt trails around the blue lagoon.
• Lunch and drinks are not included.

Options for this experience

3 options

ATV tour for two people on one quad (half day)Up to 14 people · Guide in English or Portuguese · 09:00 and 14:00One quad for two people, with one driver and one passenger (driver must have prior experience)

Buggy TourGuide in English or Portuguese · 09:00 and 14:00Buggy: a great choice if you have no previous experience with quads.

ATV tour with one person per quad (half day)Up to 8 people · Guide in English or Portuguese · 09:00 and 14:00One quad per person (driver must have prior experience)

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 88 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish 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

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Azores Outdoor Activities

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to drive yourself through volcanic terrain and reach high viewpoints without arranging your own transport or navigation. The guide handles safety and route choices while you focus on the ride and the views. It demands moderate fitness and some comfort on an ATV, so it's not suited to beginners or travelers with back or cardiovascular concerns.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English 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.

Do I need ATV experience to book this tour?

No, but the operator recommends at least some experience with motorcycles or ATVs for a safer ride. Mention your skill level when booking so they can advise whether this tour suits you.

What's the altitude of the highest point?

Pico da Cruz is 845 meters. From there you can see the whole Sete Cidades crater and most of the island on clear days.

How long is the tour?

It's a half-day tour, roughly four hours from start to finish.

What's included in the price?

Tour guide, fuel, helmet, and insurance are included. You pay separately for any food or drinks.

Is this tour suitable if I'm pregnant or have back problems?

No. The operator does not recommend this tour for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries due to the terrain and vibration.

What should I wear?

Bring a warm coat and rain gear. You'll be at altitude where it's cooler and weather can change quickly in the Azores.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driving license to operate the quad.

What if the weather is bad?

Some dirt roads are only passable in dry conditions. The guide assesses conditions on the day and adjusts the route if needed.