Self-Launched Walking in the Azores: Pico, São Jorge & Faial

Fly into João Paulo II Airport (PDL) on São Miguel, then connect via SATA Air Açores to Pico Airport (PIX) — flights run several times daily and take around 30 minutes (approx. £40–60 each way). Alternatively, take the Atlânticoline ferry from Faial to Pico if you're island-hopping from Horta. Check in to your guesthouse or hotel in Madalena. Spend the evening exploring the charming waterfront, grabbing dinner at a local tasca and getting your trail apps loaded. The black volcanic stone walls and lava-field scenery around Madalena are striking even before the walking begins.

🚌SATA Air Açores inter-island flight PDL–PIX (~£50) or Atlânticoline ferry

🛏Aldeia da Fonte Nature Hotel or Casa do Pico guesthouse, Madalena (approx. £40–65/night for a double/twin room)

• →Fly SATA Air Açores from PDL to PIX (approx. £50 one-way) or connect via ferry from Faial
• →Check in to guesthouse/hotel in Madalena
• →Evening stroll along Madalena waterfront
• →Dinner at a local restaurant — try limpets (lapas) and local wine
• →Download AllTrails or Wikiloc GPX tracks for Pico trails

Take a local taxi or hire a car (recommended on Pico, approx. £35–45/day) to the central highlands trailhead near Caminho das Lagoas. Follow the well-marked Caminho dos Burros route (PR9 PIC) through the volcanic highland plateau past Cabeço do Mistério, through acacia and Azores laurel forest, descending to the dramatic northern coastline at Baía das Canas (8.9 km / 5 miles). A swim here is a perfect reward on a warm day. Alternatively, if you want to summit Mount Pico (2,351m), you must book a mandatory local mountain guide through the Pico Mountain Natural Reserve office in advance (approx. £25–35pp). The summit attempt is a strenuous 6–7 hour round trip. Check weather and book early as slots are limited.

🚌Hire car (recommended, ~£40/day) or taxi to trailhead (~£10–15 each way)

🛏Aldeia da Fonte Nature Hotel or Casa do Pico guesthouse, Madalena

• →Hike PR9 PIC – Caminho dos Burros (8.9 km, moderate, ~3–4 hours)
• →Walk through Cabeço do Mistério volcanic zone and Prainha Forest Park
• →Optional swim at Baía das Canas
• →OR: Book mandatory guided Mount Pico summit via Pico Mountain Natural Reserve (~£30pp)

This morning, walk the spectacular PR18 PIC — Vinhas da Criação Velha route (6.9 km), a largely coastal trail connecting Candelária to Areia Larga through the UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape. The famous black basalt horseshoe walls are extraordinary up close; look out for rola-pipas (barrel slides) and relheiras (ox-cart tracks) along the path. This is a leisurely morning walk. In the afternoon, book a whale-watching boat trip independently through Espaço Talassa or Futurismo in Madalena — both are highly rated operators offering 3-hour tours for approximately £45–55pp. The Azores has world-class cetacean sightings: sperm whales, blue whales, bottlenose dolphins and more. Book directly online a few days in advance.

🚌Walking/self-drive; ferry port taxi if needed

🛏Aldeia da Fonte Nature Hotel or Casa do Pico guesthouse, Madalena

• →Walk PR18 PIC – Vinhas da Criação Velha route (6.9 km, ~2.5 hours)
• →Explore UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape and basalt horseshoe walls
• →Optional whale-watching trip via Espaço Talassa or Futurismo (~£50pp, book in advance)
• →Evening free in Madalena — visit local wine cooperative or seafront café

Take the morning Atlânticoline ferry from Madalena (Pico) to Calheta or Velas on São Jorge — the crossing takes approximately 1 hour and costs around £10–15pp. Book ferry tickets at atlânticoline.pt or at the terminal in advance. On arrival, take a taxi or pre-arranged transfer to the village of São João (approx. £10–15) to begin today's hike on the PR1 SJO trail. The route (9.7 km) winds inland through agricultural fields, firetree woodland and past the Ribeira do Salto waterfall before descending to the remarkable Fajã dos Vimes. Don't miss coffee at Café Nunes — the only café in Europe serving coffee grown on-site, produced by the owner's family. Afterwards, taxi or bus to your hotel in Velas for the next two nights.

🚌Atlânticoline ferry Pico→São Jorge (~£12); taxi to/from trailhead (~£15)

🛏Hotel São Jorge Garden or Residencial São Jorge, Velas (~£45–65/night)

• →Atlânticoline ferry Madalena (Pico) → São Jorge (~£12pp, ~1 hour)
• →Hike PR1 SJO – São João to Fajã dos Vimes (9.7 km, ~4 hours)
• →Waterfall stop at Ribeira do Salto
• →Coffee at Café Nunes, Fajã dos Vimes — Europe's only on-site coffee plantation café
• →Optional handicraft workshop visit (traditional quilts)

Today's walk (PR3 SJO, 9.5 km) is arguably the most scenic of the trip. Take a taxi from Velas to the Serra do Topo wind farm trailhead (approx. £15). The route follows native flora-rich paths northward, with chances to spot Eurasian whimbrels, São Miguel goldcrests and buzzards. Descend past a beautiful waterfall (possible swim in the pool below) then reach the protected Caldeira de Santo Cristo Lake — a hauntingly beautiful lagoon famous for its clams, resident birds and bodyboarding. Continue northwest along the coast to the picturesque Fajã dos Cubres. Return to Velas by taxi. The afternoon is free to explore Velas town or sample São Jorge's famous DOP cheese at a local deli.

🚌Taxi Velas → Serra do Topo trailhead and return (~£15–20 each way)

🛏Hotel São Jorge Garden or Residencial São Jorge, Velas

• →Hike PR3 SJO – Serra do Topo to Fajã dos Cubres (9.5 km, ~4 hours)
• →Spot endemic birds: Eurasian whimbrel, São Miguel goldcrest, buzzards
• →Optional swim at the waterfall pool mid-route
• →Visit Caldeira de Santo Cristo Lake — clam-rich protected lagoon
• →Taste São Jorge DOP cheese in Velas town

Take the morning Atlânticoline ferry from São Jorge to Horta, Faial — approximately 2.5 hours, costing around £18–22pp. Book in advance at atlânticoline.pt. On arrival at Horta, take a local bus or taxi to Capelo in the island's western peninsula (approx. £15). Hike the PR6 FAI trail (4 km) along the dramatic volcanic ridge of the Capelo–Capelinhos peninsula, passing approximately 20 volcanic cones and walking above the coastal village of Praia do Norte. Descend to the lava cave of Furna Ruim, continue through Azorean laurel and heather to the astonishing Capelinhos Volcano — formed by a 1957–58 eruption that added new land to the island. Visit the excellent Capelinhos Interpretation Centre independently (entry approx. £6). Transfer back to Horta. The famous Peter's Café Sport in Horta harbour is a must-visit for a Gin & Tónica and to see the extraordinary mural-covered walls.

🚌Atlânticoline ferry São Jorge→Faial (~£20); local bus or taxi to Capelo (~£15)

🛏Hotel do Canal or Hotel Faial in Horta (~£60–90/night)

• →Atlânticoline ferry São Jorge → Horta, Faial (~£20pp, ~2.5 hours)
• →Hike PR6 FAI – Capelo to Capelinhos (4 km, ~2 hours)
• →Visit Capelinhos Volcano landscape and lava cave Furna Ruim
• →Capelinhos Interpretation Centre entry (~£6)
• →Evening drinks at Peter's Café Sport, Horta harbour

The final hike of the trip is one of the most memorable: the PR1 FAI circular walk around Faial's Caldeira volcano crater (6.8 km). Take a taxi or local bus from Horta to the Caldeira viewpoint (approx. £12–15). The route begins at the main viewpoint, descends via a tunnel into the vast crater interior — draped in heather, holly and endemic Azorean blueberry — then circumnavigates the entire crater rim. The views are extraordinary: into the green crater bowl on one side and out across the Atlantic on the other. Look out for Azorean angelica and endemic blueberry along the trail. Allow 2.5–3 hours. Return to Horta with the afternoon free — explore the famous painted harbour jetty, visit the Scrimshaw Museum or simply relax by the marina.

🚌Taxi or local bus Horta → Caldeira viewpoint and return (~£15 round trip)

🛏Hotel do Canal or Hotel Faial in Horta

• →Hike PR1 FAI – Caldeira Crater circular walk (6.8 km, ~2.5–3 hours)
• →Descend via tunnel into Caldeira volcanic crater interior
• →Spot endemic flora: Azorean blueberry, Azorean angelica
• →Free afternoon in Horta — painted jetty, marina, Scrimshaw Museum
• →Farewell dinner at a restaurant in Horta

Enjoy a final breakfast in Horta before heading to Horta Airport (HOR) for your SATA Air Açores connecting flight back to Lisbon (LIS) or the mainland via São Miguel (PDL). Flights from Horta typically connect through PDL. If time allows before your flight, take one last walk along Horta's famous mural-painted marina — a tradition started by passing sailors that is now one of the most visually remarkable harbours in the world. Safe travels!

🚌Taxi to Horta Airport (~£8); SATA Air Açores flight (~£70pp)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final breakfast in Horta
• →Last stroll along Horta's painted marina murals
• →SATA Air Açores flight HOR → PDL → LIS (book in advance, ~£60–80)