The Azores: São Miguel Island Bike Tour
8-Day Inn Azores Bike Tour
Tour Information
Often referred to as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, The Azores are a cluster of nine islands that sit about 900 miles west of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. While its citizens are part of the Portuguese Republic, they have been governing themselves since 1976 and have commanded their own unique culture for centuries.
Volcanoes formed the archipelago millions of years ago, and just about everywhere you look, you’ll see strikingly beautiful and otherworldly evidence of the islands’ volcanic soul, from the crystal-clear lakes that collected in craters to the dark basaltic rock that you see on beaches, in caves and on cliff walls and even in the architecture.
We’ll explore the entirety of São Miguel, the largest Azorean island, this week, cycling and hiking through its lush green landscape. Given the challenging terrain, we’ve included e-bikes for this tour. You’ll still get plenty of exercise and have energy left to enjoy the sights after the ride.
Rolling hills with some longer climbs. Advanced cycling level; moderate with an e-bike. Three days include optional hikes.
A Specialized e-bike is included in the tour price. An acoustic bike is available for an additional fee.
Accommodations are subject to change.
Coming soon!
Azores Bike Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in the charming Azorean capital of Ponta Delgada and take a taxi from the airport to our hotel, situated on Porta Delgada Marina. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore the Azorean capital, which has grown from a 15th-century fishing village to a thriving city revered for its whitewashed buildings, gentle climate, and traditional Portuguese culture.
DAY 2: After breakfast, we ride east out of Ponta Delgado along the coast. Soon enough, we are entering a dormant volcanic crater, and examples of geothermal activity surround us, from fumaroles spewing sulfuric gases toward the sky to bubbling mud pits and mineral hot springs. There should be time to visit Parque Terra Nostra, a celebrated botanical garden with an iron-rich thermal pool that soothes sore and tired muscles. Dinner is on your own tonight. 28 miles ±3018’.
DAY 3: Hike? Or bike? You can do both today, or choose one and skip the other. By foot, we take on the Trilho do Sanguiñho, a hike that rewards you with views of the spectacular Salto do Prego waterfalls.
We’ll break for lunch before embarking on a loop ride around Furnas. This adventurous trek takes you to Salto do Cavalo, where a panoramic view covering the north and south coasts of Saõ Miguel awaits you. The route also passes through the charming fishing village of Povoação. We will relish a group dinner at our Furnas hotel. 3 miles ± 755’ hike; 20 miles ±3314’ bike ride.
DAY 4: We head to the north coast today, with many spectacular vistas along the way. Among them is Pico de Ferro, where you can see Lagoa das Furnas, a lagoon situated in an ancient volcanic crater that is part of the dormant Furnas volcano.
We’ll break for a guided tour at Gorreana, Europe’s oldest and only remaining tea plantation. Tea rescued the Azorean economy in the late 1800s when blight threatened the archipelago’s then main export product: oranges. We’ll spend the night in Ribeira Grande, where dinner is on your own. 21 miles ±2165’.
DAY 5: Another bike and/or hike day. First, we tackle a ride to Lagoa do Fogo (translation: Lake of Fire), a crystal-blue crater lake that sits higher than all the others. This challenging ride rewards you with some amazing views.
The optional hike later in the day takes us to the Salto do Cabrito waterfall. Equally interesting are the geothermal caves we’ll encounter on our return, used by families to cook their beloved cozido, traditional slow-cooked stews. We’ll savor dinner together tonight. 2 miles ± 328’ hike;19 miles ±3051’ bike.
DAY 6: Our longest ride of the week is chock full of miradouros, or scenic viewpoints, so have your camera ready. Miradouro das Pedras Negras is a natural rock outcropping that will make you think a giant elephant is making its way into the ocean. At Miradoura da Vista do Rei, you’ll see the famous Sete Cidades caldera, whose waters shimmer in two distinct colors --- green and blue --- due to differences in algae levels and land formations reflected in the water.
You should have time to rest your legs on the long downhill into Ponta Delgado, and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own. Consider a stroll to Portas da Cidade, the 18th century gates that frame Gonçaolo Velho Cabral Square. There is also the Santo António Pineapple Plantation, where famous Azorean pineapples have been cultivated in glass greenhouses since the mid-19th century. Dinner is on your own. 46 miles ±4265’.
DAY 7: Our final cycling day is here, taking us to two of the most serene and peaceful lagoons on the island. Lagoa do Canário is framed by a lush forest of Japanese cedars and azalea bushes. From here we pedal to the nearby Lagoas das Empadadas, a chain of small crater lakes separated by thin strips of land and thick woodlands.
Afterward, you can do the optional hike to Rocha da Relva, where you’ll see another unique geographic feature of the Azores. The fajã is a flat stretch of land that extends from the bottom of a cliff to the ocean, created over time by lava debris and landslides. It’s possible you’ll share the trail with donkeys, as residents of the surrounding summer houses rely on them to carry their belongings. We’ll celebrate our time in the Azores with a farewell dinner together. 3 miles ± 558’ hike; 23 miles ±2854’ bike.
DAY 8: Savor a final Azorean breakfast before heading to the airport. Obrigada pela visita! (Thank you for visiting!) 0 miles.
Tour Information
Rolling hills with some longer climbs. Advanced cycling level; moderate with an e-bike. Three days include optional hikes.
A Specialized e-bike is included in the tour price. An acoustic bike is available for an additional fee.
Accommodations are subject to change.
Coming soon!