About the Book

Discover the wild beauty of the Azores on foot with this guide to 70 day walks across the nine islands of this remote Atlantic archipelago. Lying in the North Atlantic Ocean the Azores are an archipelago of nine lush green islands 850 miles west of Portugal. From crater lakes and volcanic peaks to lush forests, waterfalls and dramatic coastlines, the Azores offer an extraordinary variety of landscapes shaped by volcanic activity and Atlantic weather.

The walks explore all nine islands and range from 4 to 25km (2–16 miles), typically taking 2–8 hours. Routes are suitable for both beginner and experienced walkers, with a mixture of gentle trails, coastal paths and more challenging mountain routes, including the ascent of Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest mountain. The routes cover the three island groups: the Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) and Western Group (Flores and Corvo). The mild climate makes this an ideal destination for year-round walking.

• 70 day walks across all nine Azores islands: São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo, covering the Eastern, Central and Western island groups
• Clear step-by-step route descriptions with 1:50,000 mapping for each walk, covering volcanic landscapes, crater rims, forests and coastal trails
• Each route includes distance, walking time, terrain notes and information on points of interest along the way
• GPX files available to download, making it easy to follow the routes using GPS devices or smartphone apps
• Detailed practical information on planning, transport, facilities and travelling between the islands
• Highlights include the ascent of Mount Pico, spectacular caldeiras, waterfalls and sections of the long-distance GR1 route

This guidebook brings together the best walking across the Azores, helping you explore everything from crater-rim viewpoints and volcanic summits to lush valleys and rugged Atlantic coastlines. Whether you are visiting a single island or travelling between several, these carefully selected routes provide an unforgettable way to experience one of Europe’s most distinctive island landscapes.

Table of Contents:
Azores general location map Map of the Azores Map key Introduction Location Geology Landscape Discovery and history Wildlife Protected areas Getting to the Azores Getting around the Azores Accommodation Currency Language Food and drink Weather Tourist information Emergencies Walking in the Azores Maps Waymarking and access What to take Using this guide Eastern Group Ilha de São Miguel Walk 1 Circuit of the Caldeira das Sete Cidades Walk 2 Sete Cidades and Lagoa Verde Walk 3 João Bom to Candel&##xe1;ria Walk 4 Capelas to Rabo de Peixe Walk 5 Rem&##xe9;dios and Janela do Inferno Walk 6 Lagoa do Fogo from Água de Alto Walk 7 Caldeiras and Salto do Cabrito Walk 8 Furnas and Lagoa das Furnas Walk 9 Pico do Ferro Walk 10 Povoação to Ribeira Quente Walk 11 Ribeira do Faial da Terra Walk 12 Lomba da Fazenda Walk 13 Pico da Vara Walk 14 Achadinha and Salga Walk 15 Fenais da Ajuda Walk 16 Ribeira Funda and Maia Ilha de Santa Maria Walk 17 GR1 Vila do Porto to Cardal Walk 18 GR1 Cardal to Norte Walk 19 GR1 Norte to Bananeiras Walk 20 GR1 Bananeiras to Vila do Porto Walk 21 Santa B&##xe1;rbara and Norte Walk 22 Pico Alto Central Group Ilha Terceira Walk 23 Monte Brasil from Angra do Heroísmo Walk 24 Serreta and Lagoinha Walk 25 Gruta do Natal and Mist&##xe9;rios Negros Walk 26 Rocha do Chambre Walk 27 Alagoa and Ponta do Mist&##xe9;rio Walk 28 Baldio and Biscoito da Fontainha Walk 29 São Sebastião and Porto Judeu Ilha Graciosa Walk 30 GR1 Santa Cruz to Praia Walk 31 GR1 Praia to Luz Walk 32 GR1 Luz to Santa Cruz Walk 33 Caldeira and Furna do Enxofre Ilha de São Jorge Walk 34 GR1 Ponta do Topo to São Tom&##xe9; Walk 35 GR1 São Tom&##xe9; to Serra do Topo Walk 36 GR1 Serra do Topo to Fajã dos Cubres Walk 37 Norte Pequeno and Fajã da Penedia Walk 38 Pico do Pedro to Fajã do Ouvidor Walk 39 Santo António and Fajã de Al&##xe9;m Walk 40 Farol dos Rosais and Pico da Velha Ilha do Pico Walk 41 Gruta das Torres to Madalena Walk 42 Fetais, Lajido and Santa Luzia Walk 43 Santana to Lajido Walk 44 Lagoa do Capitão to São Roque do Pico Walk 45 Caminho dos Burros Walk 46 Caminho das Lagoas Walk 47 Prainha do Norte Walk 48 Santo Amaro to Piedade Walk 49 Calhau, Manhenha and Piedade Walk 50 Calheta de Nesquim Walk 51 Lajes and Cabeço do Geraldo Walk 52 São João to Silveira Walk 53 Ascent of Pico Ilha do Faial Walk 54 GR1 Capelinhos to Capelo Walk 55 GR1 Capelo to Miradouro da Caldeira Walk 56 GR1 Miradouro da Caldeira to Porto da Boca da Ribeira Walk 57 Horta and Monte da Guia Walk 58 Morro de Castelo Branco Walk 59 Praia do Norte and Fajã Walk 60 Levada walk to Alto do Chão Walk 61 Caldeira do Faial Western Group Ilha das Flores Walk 62 GR1 Santa Cruz to Ponta Delgada Walk 63 GR1 Ponta Delgada to Fajã Grande Walk 64 GR1 Fajã Grande to Lajedo Walk 65 Lagoas to Fajã Grande Walk 66 Água Quente Walk 67 Fajã de Lopo Vaz Ilha do Corvo Walk 68 Lagoa do Caldeirão Walk 69 Cara do Índio Walk 70 Farol da Carneira Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Language notes and topographical glossary Appendix C Useful contacts