The Azores, this wonderful archipelago lost in the middle of the Atlantic, are a true paradise on earth, promising you, besides the breathtaking landscapes, the jaw-dropping viewpoints, the original activities (boat trips to spot cetaceans, swimming in hot springs…), the delicious local cuisine… some superb hikes!
That’s right: these 9 islands, which rose straight up from the depths of the oceans thanks to underwater volcanic eruptions millions of years ago for some and hundreds of thousands of years ago for others, offer the ideal conditions for unforgettable hikes. There is, moreover, no better way to soak up the richness of the flora and fauna than to observe them during “trilhos” (the Portuguese word for hikes), perfectly marked and documented.
But here’s the thing: you’re probably wondering what fitness level you need to take them on. Travel to the Azores answers all your questions.
1 – The different types of hikes in the Azores
In the Azores, travellers are delighted by the presence of perfectly mapped and monitored hiking trails.
The official website to rely on when you want to go for a hike states itself that you will find there: “a network of walking routes classified by the Regional Government of the Azores, in order to guarantee the safety and peace of mind of hikers during their walks”. This allows the government to modify or, if necessary, temporarily close any given trail that no longer meets safety standards after bad weather, for example.
The website is available in English, and you can make your choice based on the island, the difficulty level, the length and the shape of the hike: Trilhos dos Açores.
There are also three difficulty levels: easy, moderate, hard. These levels allow everyone to find hikes suited to their own fitness, as well as to that of the travellers accompanying you (your children, for example). If you have physical disabilities that prevent you from hiking, guides offer adapted tours. You can contact us (see the bottom of the article) to find out more.
2 – The most demanding hikes in the Azores
Whether because you are an athlete and you want to tackle only the most extreme hikes, or because you’re interested in doing one or two to add variety to your hikes, the Azores can fulfil your wishes.
The two criteria that help spot the potential challenges of a hike rated as hard are length and elevation: the longer the hike lasts, the higher the elevation gain and the more it will be considered to require advanced physical fitness.
The most telling example is the climb up the Pico volcano, which requires the better part of a day’s walk to go up and down the volcano. You can even spend a night there with your tent! This hike can be done with a guide or independently. Nevertheless, it demands a certain fitness level and a good command of trail markers, as visibility is sometimes not very good.
Other hikes are equally demanding but absolutely incredible to do and accessible to more “classic” fitness levels. You can contact us (see the bottom of the article) to find out more.
3 – The rules to follow when hiking in the Azores
As everywhere, following these rules is essential :
- having suitable equipment, whatever the level of the hike
- always send your name, your departure time and your estimated walking time to someone not joining you at the start of a hike
- do not leave the hiking trails or drop any litter along the way; do not pick up any natural elements, even small or dead ones, to take them home with you
- bring a 1L water bottle (minimum) for each traveller on every hike, even a short one
- always follow the safety rules issued by the Azores government by checking the Trilhos dos Açores website in the morning before setting off
- be attentive during hikes on the trails depending on the weather conditions as well as the state of the paths: do not take a route that does not seem safe to you, even if it is part of the itinerary, because weather conditions can degrade certain sections of it
Travel to the Azores is here to guide you as best we can: with our tailor-made travel programme, we select the hikes best suited to your traveller profile, to the number of travel days… we also always make sure to recommend the most beautiful hikes while avoiding the times when they are busiest. This local knowledge allows us to craft your perfect sightseeing itineraries, as part of healthy and sustainable tourism.
What’s more? We carefully select, negotiate and book the services for your stay (excluding flights and inter-island transfers): car rental, accommodation, activities, dining… What are you waiting for to receive our free quote, sent after a free consultation? Contact us at the following address: contact@voyage-aux-acores.com or by filling out the contact form.
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