Hiking in São Miguel Island, Azores: A Unique Escape

The Azores is a stunning archipelago formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity in the North Atlantic. Located about 1,000 miles west of Portugal, it offers travelers an unparalleled adventure and a peaceful retreat from mainland life.

Explore the Islands

Though isolated, the Azores offers a distinct experience. Take a week to explore the islands beyond São Miguel, each with unique features. You’ll discover:

— Dramatic coastal landscapes
— Epic hiking trails
— Volcanic hot springs
— Dark caldera caves
— Homegrown food, including fresh produce and dairy from local farmers

The culinary culture celebrates traditional skills from fishermen, dairy farmers, and viticulturists who produce wine from basalt rocks. It’s an authentic Azorean experience—untouched by global industrialization.

Why Visit Now?

Azores Airlines now offers direct flights from Boston and New York to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island, making it easier than ever to reach this paradise. Early summer is also great for spotting blue whales and sperm whales, iconic to the region.

Why Sail?

The Azores are best explored from the water, just like the whalers of old. The islands are grouped into three geographic clusters: east, central, and west. Ferries are available year-round, but weather can change quickly, so be flexible.

For a more luxurious option, consider a cruise with Sea Cloud or National Geographic-Lindblad. These 8-day expeditions take you to several islands, including Pico, Faial, São Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, and Santa Maria.

Must-See Highlights:

— Terceira Island: Baias de Agualva Hike
— São Jorge: Epic hiking in the rain
— Pico da Esperança Mountain: Stunning views (and a rescue mission by a local farmer)

Book your vacation now with MWR LIFE and enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the Azores!

Hiking Baias de Agualva, Terceira Island, Azores

Terceira, often called the Lilac Island, is famous for its lush greenery and dramatic coastal cliffs. The island is almost perfectly round, giving you spectacular views from every angle. Along the Baias de Agualva trail, you’ll encounter steep cliffs that drop into the deep blue Atlantic, making every step memorable.

A major advantage: Terceira is quieter than other Atlantic hiking spots. You can enjoy the trails and breathtaking scenery without the crowds. It’s easy to feel like you have this island—and its endless ocean views—all to yourself.

Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira’s Historic Gem

Angra do Heroísmo stands out as the historic heart of Terceira. This UNESCO World Heritage city is packed with charming cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and centuries-old fortresses. Wander around, soak up the vibrant architecture, and enjoy the lively cafés. It’s a perfect blend of history, culture, and local flavor—all within easy reach after your coastal hike.

The Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo is a prime example of 16th-century Portuguese architecture located on Terceira Island in the Azores.

The Monte Brasil peninsula on Terceira offers scenic trails with panoramic views of Angra do Heroísmo, the Azores’ oldest and most vibrant town. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, it features historic Portuguese and Spanish architecture in stunning shades of pink, yellow, blue, and purple. Take a walk and discover the impérios—ornate chapels of the Holy Spirit, with 70 scattered across the island.

Santa Maria: Known as the Island of Many Firsts.

This stunning photo by fellow Endurance sailor and photographer Paul Steinke truly captures the essence of Santa Maria. The laundry line, sun-bleached house with a clay-tiled roof, and the still horizon all reflect the island’s serene beauty. The moment with a tame horse, seemingly inviting you to “live wild and free,” adds a special touch.

Santa Maria is full of firsts: it was the first Azorean island formed geologically, the first encountered by Portuguese explorers in 1427, and the first settled by mainlanders around 1439.

For those seeking an unforgettable escape, book your next vacation with MWR LIFE and explore the charm of Santa Maria Island.

Looking for a getaway? Santa Maria Island is waiting for you!

A view from the pier in Cais Vila Porto, Santa Maria Island, Azores

Arriving in Santa Maria alongside the commercial pier in Cais Vila Porto. Plan to spend a day here, as it is the only island in the archipelago that boasts blond beaches, as opposed to the rough volcanic sand found on its peers.

 Pico’s Vineyards

Welcome to Pico, a dormant volcano whose claims to fame are whaling history and wine.

Welcome to Pico, a dormant volcano whose claims to fame are whaling history and wine. Here you can take a leisurely hike through moonscape terrain left by lava flows that have been painstakingly converted to vineyards. Reach out and touch the rough lava stone corrals built up around the precious vines which produce three dominant varieties of white wine: Verdelho, Arinto dos Açores and Terrantez do Pico, which nearly went extinct but what survives adds complexity, elegance and floral notes to the other Pico whites. It’s like ingenuity in a glass.

Faial: The Blue Island

Waterfront view of the city of Horta, Faial Island, Azores, Portugal

Faial, so named ‘the blue island’ due to the sheer quantity of bright hydrangeas that cover the island in July and August (another reason to make this a summer trip). As this is the mid-Atlantic’s yachting capital, and an anchorage for caravels, clippers and seaplanes, the spirit of nautical bonhomie is pervasive. Stroll the marina and explore the jetty murals, where sailors have a tradition of painting the name or likeness of their vessel on the marina walls.

Horta: Peter Café Sport

On Horta Island, this is Peter Café Sport, a legendary whaler’s haunt with a scrimshaw museum upstairs.

As evening approaches, go drink gin and tonic at Peter Café Sport, a legendary whaler’s haunt with a stunning scrimshaw museum upstairs. It’s a ramshackle pub that doubles as a time capsule. Firstly, there are widow’s walks —lookout points facing the harbor in search of long lost whalers — still built into the surrounding architecture despite the fact that whaling has been outlawed in the Azores since 1984. It’s also a place that inspires drunken re-tellings of In the Heart of the Sea (or so I’ve heard). The story recounts a New England whaling ship’s sinking by a savage sperm whale in 1820, the real-life event that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth. Enough said?

The Whales

A sperm whale off the coast of Faial, Azores.

Pico, São Miguel and Faial are considered the best islands for whale watching. Did you know sperm whales float vertically to the surface to breathe? There are few marvels in this world so beautiful to witness. The other perk of a Nat Geo expedition is that they typically invite whale experts on board, like Douglas Nowacek, a PhD from MIT and professor at Duke University’s Marine Lab, to tell you everything scientists know about the mating habits, sound production and migration patterns of marine mammals.

Graciosa: The Caldera Cave

Visitors inside Furna do Enxofre, a caldera cave found in Graciosa Island, Azores.

Aptly named, this ‘graceful’ remote island is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve thanks to its Furna do Enxofre, a caldera cave that is considered the most significant geosite in the Azores. Look up and you’ll see a stunning natural ceiling of stalactites that create a home for birds and bats; look down and let the damp stone staircase guide you 300 feet underground to this ethereal lake.

The Sulfur Grotto

The lake inside Furna do Enxofre, Graciosa Island, Azores

This lake occupies the deepest part of the cave, which lies below sea level. It’s a secret world where the smell of sulphur is omnipresent, and you can actually see it bubbling up from beneath the surface.

São Miguel: Geothermic Hotsprings

The town of Furnas on São Miguel Island

The small town of Furnas on the eastern part of São Miguel looks otherworldly. Picture a landscape of steaming hot springs and fumaroles, gurgling mud pools and geothermal fields encircled by bright green mountains and lush botanical gardens. Through the fog, you kind of wonder how it’s not erupting right now. While you ponder this, head over to the island’s popular tea plantation Gorreana and ask to taste purple tea (what happens when hot green tea mixes with the unoxidized iron found in volcanic waters).

São Jorge: Cheese Island

On São Jorge Island, there are more cows than people—around 8,000 people live here. This makes it Cheese Island, known for the famous Queijo São Jorge cheese, which has a distinct salty flavor thanks to the North Atlantic.

Our Portuguese hiking guide, Everisto, humorously says, “Seven cows per person,” and it’s no joke. Hiking Pico da Esperança mountain means walking right next to heifers, and through cow dung of impressive size.

Even in the rain, it’s worth it to reach Fajã de Santo Cristo, a secluded sanctuary perfect for bodyboarding and surfing. The best time to visit? Summer is ideal for this unique adventure.

Book your vacation with MWR LIFE and experience this remarkable destination!