Walking Holidays in Portugal - Azores - Faial

The Island

Faial is an island of two dominant colours – green and blue. Both are found in the indigenous flora from the grass covered hills to the many shades of Hydrangeas bordering the fields and blending with the sea and sky. The picture is completed with the intense blackness of the volcanic ash of the barren ‘Capelinhos’ deposited only 40 years ago.

The island is 21 km long and 14 km wide and dominated by a Caldeira at just over 1000m. One of the must stunning aspects of Faial is the view across the short channel to Pico and its dominant peak. We recommend a stay of at least 3 nights on Faial or longer if you wish to use Faial as a base for walking on Pico.

The Walking

Take a walk around the rim of the Caldeira and peer into the wild often misty centre some 300m below.

Then descend to Horta across Hydrangea hedged fields and sometimes following Levadas (water channels). Walk through the ‘Capelinhos’ an extension to the island only formed 40 years ago and see how nature is recapturing this barren landscape.

For a contrast walk through the historic town of Horta for centuries a true crossroads for mariners (and later airmen in their flying boats) as they crossed the mighty Atlantic. Walk through delightful villages dotted around the warm green hillsides and pass the famous red picturesque windmills.

Local transport is rare and of little benefit to a walker. Taxis to the start and finish of each walk can be arranged by our local representative.

Island Hopping

Why not visit more than one island as each one is different and well worth a visit? We can arrange a trip taking in more than one island. If travelling for two weeks we would recommend 5 – 6 nights on São Miguel and the remaining 8 – 9 nights spread between the three other islands we feature. We can arrange all inter island journeys whether by boat or flying. Please contact us for a quotation and we will advise on the best combination according to your wishes and the available inter island transport.

Walk Grading

Guided - Mt. Pico Challenging

Self Guided - Easy & Moderate

For information about walk grading please click here

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Walking is possible all year around in the Azores. Spring is early here so April and May are good times and Autumn extends into November. Being islands in the middle of the Atlantic it does rain with the wettest months from October to March. The driest are July and August. There is only a 9°C variation (15° - 24°C) in temperature between the coldest and warmest months so it is never very cold nor are there prolonged hot days.

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