Hiking

"Waterfalls, forests, cliffs. The Azores are meant to be walked."

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t always into hiking. But in the last few years, it completely won me over.

The Azores have a ridiculous number of trails. Long ones, short ones, coastal, forest, volcanic, you name it. And the best part? You see things you’ll never see from a car. Hidden waterfalls. Deep green valleys. Raw landscapes that feel untouched.

My two absolute favorites, the ones I always take friends to, are Trilho do Sanguinho and Trilho do Moinho do Félix. Both are beautiful, well-marked, and packed with scenery.

And here’s the thing, we don’t really have “hardcore” trails where you need ropes or technical climbing. Most are very well maintained by the regional government. Clear signs. Safe paths. You can choose your level, but I’ve never done one that felt extreme.

If you want to understand the Azores beyond viewpoints and Instagram spots, you hike.

All islands have official, marked trails.

There’s an official government website listing all certified trails across the archipelago, with maps, distances, and difficulty levels. It’s the best place to plan.

If you’re on São Miguel and want a safe bet, start with:

• Trilho do Sanguinho

• Trilho do Moinho do Félix

You really can’t go wrong.