Hiking trails on São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugual

COMFORT IN OUR CROSSROADS

Somewhere between when we all met

and whatever lies ahead, we come

to this enchanted island to root

in our laughter and let out our seams;

where even death is beautiful golden

and flowers burst forth from cement;

where ferns curl their furry tails

and vines hug Japanese cedars;

where moss yawns and stretches in

the afternoon light and lakes spread

their peacock feathers, blue and silver;

where we name what is foreign to us

this flower: Van Gogh Sherbet

that bird: Volcano Chicken

and where we come upon a patch of  clovers

and, in no time at all, find a four-leaf

for each of us, remembering 

we have all that we need and it is enough

Lagoa Furnas (circular, easy, 9.5 KM, 5.9 miles)

Salto de Prego (circular, medium, 4.5 KM, 2.7 miles, leads to remote waterfalls enclosed in lush forest) and Ribeira do Faial da Terra (linear, medium, 6 KM, 3.7 miles) connects to Salta de Prego.

Salto de Cabrito (7.5 km, 4.6 miles - easy - circular route to a 40 metre high waterfall)

Lagoa do Fogo (11 KM, 6.8 miles -medium - watchout for colonies of territorial nesting seagulls in May!)

 

Terra Nostra Park (thermal swimming pool and botanical gardens with over 2,000 different trees)

 

Sete Cidades (11.8 KM, 7.3 miles)

 

 

 

 

 

Hike level: Easy-Moderate
Location: São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugual

Cost: FREE to hike

Description: São Miguel Island is the largest in the Azores and has a ton of hiking trails. It's fairly inexpensive to travel from Boston and SATA Airlines has nonstop flights. We split our stay between the village of Furnas (this side of the island has access to many thermal hot springs and waterfall hikes) and Ponta Delgada (this side of the island has beautiful volcanic lake hikes and whalewatching).