Walking Holidays in Portugal - Azores - São Miguel

The Island

São Miguel is famous for its beautiful landscapes and exceptional volcanic lakes. The largest of the Azorean islands it measures 65km long by 16km wide and is known as Ilhe Verde - Green Island.

A stunning coastline of small bays with black sand and precipitous sea cliffs interspersed with small harbours adding further interest.

The island features three major calderas - volcanic craters - now with lakes sparkling at the bottom. Sete Citdades even has a village at the bottom of the crater and two lakes one blue and one green.

At Lagoa das Furnas boiling sulphurous water comes to the surface through hot springs near the lake and is a reminder of the volcanic origin of all of the islands. The mountains rise to over 1000m. As an example of São Miguel’s climate one finds the only tea and pineapple plantations in Europe both well worth a visit on non walking days.

Rarely could a visitor fail to be impressed by the incredible myriad of all the different shades of greens exhibited by its extensive prairies forests tobacco fields and tea plantations as well as the abundance of hues this island has to offer… We recommend a stay of a week on this island with the highlights walkable during a four night stay.

The Walking

Three key walks take in the three largest volcanic lakes. They are all very different in colour setting and terrain despite their common origins and are scattered across the island.

Walk coastal paths linking fishing villages interspersed by high cliffs or wind your way across emerald fields passing through small villages with sea views ever present. Plenty of opportunity for a refreshing sea swim or a hot-pool bath.

A number of walks can be accessed by public transport, others will require a taxi, our local representative will arrange these for you upon request.

Guided Walking

Guided walks are available six days every week and we include four walks during a seven night guided walking stay. Walks are from 4 - 9 miles in length and considered easy or moderate level. We offer walks to the three major volcanic lakes as well as coastal and rural walks. All have been chosen to ensure the walker sees the best that São Miguel has to offer.

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 isl

and 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 - Easy & Moderate

Self Guided - Easy & Moderate

For information about walk grading please click here

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Hotel Vila Nova *** - 3 Star This hotel is well located near the harbour and the centre of Ponta Delgada. Local buses and the guided pick up point is very close. VIEW MORE INFORMATION

Hotel Do Colegio**** - 4 Star Hotel Do Colégio Located in a quiet side street within the historical centre of Ponta Delgado yet within easy walking distance of all the places you would want to visit. The building originally housed a music school dating back to the 19th century and has retained many of the original features and atmosphere. VIEW MORE INFORMATION

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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.

When to book your walking holiday in Portugal - Azores - São Miguel
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
OK	OK	Good	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Best	Good	OK

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There is a non stop service from London to São Miguel. Also São Miguel can be reached by flight from Lisbon on a regular basis. There are flights to Lisbon from a number of UK points.

There are flights as follows:

São Miguel - there is a direct from from Gatwick and connecting flights (one change) from Heathrow Gatwick Luton Bristol Birmingham Manchester Liverpool Isle of Man Newcastle Edinburgh Glasgow Aberdeen, Inverness, Dublin and Belfast; (two changes) from Jersey, Guernsey and Newquay

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Sao Miguel

based on 7 nights accommodation with half board transfers between the airport and the hotel. 'With flights' includes typical flight price from London Gatwick nonstop to Ponta Delgado for Sao Miguel .

Hotel Do Colegio****

Dates	7 nights half board Standard Room With flights	Extra night Per person	Single supplement per night	Own travel arrangements 7 nights half board Standard Room	Guided supplement for 4 days guided walking
16 Sep -30 Sep	789	56	29	499	£150
01 Oct - 31 Oct	769	56	29	499	£150
01 Nov - 31 Mar	714	50	25	464	£150
01 Apr - 15 Jun	769	56	29	499	£150
16 Jun - 15 Sep	845	65	35	555	£150

Room supplements per person per night Superior room £9, Suite £9, Suite Superior £21

Hotel Vila Nova***

Dates	7 nights half board Standard Room With flights	Extra night Per person	Single supplement per night	Own travel arrangements 7 nights half board Standard Room	Guided supplement for 4 days guided walking
01 Sep -30 Sep	721	50	26	431	£150
01 Oct - 31 Oct	681	47	24	411	£150
01 Nov - 31 Mar	631	43	21	381	£150
01 Apr - 15 Jun	681	47	24	411	£150
16 Jun - 30 Aug	721	50	26	431	£150

Room supplements per person per night Junior suite £28, Suite £44

Supplements Azores

Flights also available from a number local airports, prices on request

Important for details of our flight price policy click here

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For information on:

• Children
• Methods of payment
• Deposits and balance payments
• Holiday insurance
• Fuel supplements

Please click here