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São Miguel island in the Azores has some fantastic hiking trails, and I have made a shortlist of the best ones. Read this list – but don’t forget to also check my list of the WORST hiking trails in São Miguel island, to avoid wasting your precious vacation time.
These are the best hiking trails in São Miguel island:
Rota da Água – Janela do Inferno (PRC37 SMI)
For me, THE best hiking trail on São Miguel island is definitely the Janela do Inferno trail. Yes, yes, I did all the iconic hiking trails (some of which are listed here), but the Janela do Inferno trail has an unstoppable mystique and I love it for that.
The trail starts at Casa da Água – Trail Point and the first 2 km of the trail are a bit boring, as they run on dirt tracks where cars and tractors go.
The boredom disappears as soon as we turn right, through a private lot full of cows, towards a magnificent staircase in the middle of nowhere.
This hiking trail continues in the middle of a dense and humid forest, where I crossed long tunnels and abandoned aqueducts until I reached Janela do Inferno, a gigantic hole on a vertical wall. From there, water springs flow that form a small, beautiful pond on the ground.
The way back is quite smooth; first in the forest, then across pasture fields back to the car park.
Important things to know about this trail
– As it is a dense forest, it has a lot of humidity so it is natural that you find mud along the way. That’s OK – you can clean your boots afterwards!
– As it has a lot of shade, it is one of the best hiking trails in São Miguel island to do on sunny days.
– During the trail you will cross two long tunnels, one of them with a very low ceiling. If you suffer from severe claustrophobia, this might not be the best hiking trail for you.
If you manage to conquer your fear of muddy trails and dark tunnels, you will be rewarded with a wonderful experience in a pristine forest.
Practical information about Janela do Inferno Hiking Trail
Sanguinho (PRC09 SMI)
For me, Sanguinho is one of the best hiking trails on São Miguel island and the one that introduced me to Faial da Terra, a forgotten paradise by the ocean, in the most remote part of the island.
The trail starts next to a bus stop, where it follows a dirt path along the left bank of the stream, in a deep forest of Incense and Acacias trees.
When you reach a bridge, cross it to the other bank and go up until you reach a fork, where you should follow the signs until you reach the Salto do Prego waterfall, which is TO DIE FOR.
On the way back, you will have a second surprise: Aldeia do Sanguinho, a village founded by wealthy families from Faial da Terra to escape the floods that frequently devastated the village. However, due to the strong emigration to the Americas in the 60s and 70s, it ended up being abandoned and fell into oblivion.
After checking the cute village, go down very carefully on a granite sidewalk, which is quite steep and slippery. But the views from there are simply phenomenal :)
If you take the Sanguinho trail, take the opportunity to see the Miradouro Pôr do Sol, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in São Miguel island.
Practical information about Sanguinho Hiking Trail
Serra da Devassa (PRC05 SMI)
Serra da Devassa was one of the first trails I ever did on the island and it became for me, permanently, one of the best hiking trails on São Miguel island. However, it takes place between 750 and 900 meters of altitude, so you should do it on a day with good visibility.
It’s a short trail (only 5 km long) that starts at the car park opposite the Parque Florestal da Mata do Canário (which is where basically everyone goes :P).
It was wonderful to turn my back on the crowd and plunge into the bare mountains, on a day of immense fog. I quickly reached Pico das Éguas, from where you can see Lagoa da Égua, on the left, and Lagoa Rasa, in front.
Then I went down towards the lagoons, crossing a small forest of cryptomerias (beautiful native trees from the Azores) until I reached Lagoas das Empadadas.
From there, the trail leaflet indicated to continue the circular trail back to the car park, but I took a small detour to go to Miradouro do Paúl. And I’m glad I did, because it’s one of the best viewpoints on the island of São Miguel!
If you take do Serra da Devassa hiking trail, be sure to take the short detour to the Miradouro do Paúl, right next to Lagoa das Empadadas. It is VERY worth it.
Practical information about Serra da Devassa Hiking Trail
Lagoa do Congro
The access path to Lagoa do Congro is so short that I almost hesitated in considering it one of the best hiking trails on São Miguel island.
But the truth is that, despite its modest size and low difficulty, it is such a nice trail that I had to mention it here. In addition, it is the place on the island where you can hear the most birds.
And, if you follow my instructions, you will see that the trail is even more beautiful.
Most people just park the car very close to Lagoa do Congro, go downstairs to take pictures and get back in the car.
Well, in addition to being boring, it’s a bit silly, because the access road to Lagoa do Congro 1) is in very bad shape, so it’s stupid to drive your car there and 2) it’s, at the same time, a very beautiful road. do it on foot!
Do it like this:
– When you are on the main road (EN4 – 2A) you will see a sign saying Lagoa do Congro, which gives access to a secondary road, on the left.
About 200 meters ahead you will find a fork in the road. Park there and walk along the road on the right.
Soon you will find a new sign on the right, with the indication Lagoa do Congro. Then just follow the trail to the Miradouro da Lagoa do Congro.
You can go there and come back the same way. But since I find it so boring (I hate linear rails!), I used Maps.Me to go back a different way. Here is the route I took:
Practical information about Lagoa do Congro Hiking Trail
Lagoa do Canário e Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
I hesitated to include the tour from Lagoa do Canário to the Miradouro da Boca do Inferno because it is a very, very simple tour. But really, not all trails have to be complicated to be fun :)
The trail starts exactly in the same parking lot where the Serra da Devassa trail begins. From there, follow a wide path, inside a forest, until you see Lagoa do Canário, on your left. You’ll follow the trail (it’s well marked, by some steps supported by tree trunks), until you reach the imposing (and very famous…) Miradouro da Boca do Inferno.
The view is spectacular, over the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, with the Blue, Rasa and Santiago Lagoons. On sunny days, you can see perfectly that the lagoons have different colors, green and blue. Gorgeous!
You can go back the same way to the car, but you already know that I HATE linear trails, so what I did was turn right (when your back is turned to the viewpoint!) and go downhill until you reach the beginning of the trail.
A simple trail, short but effective, that can be done with children over 6 years old.
