Things to know before hiking in the Azores
Exploring São Miguel, Açores
The best time to go hiking in the Azores is from June to September. July and August are the warmest and driest months of the year but also the busiest. With that said, I visited São Miguel in July and the only busy places were Grota do Inferno, Salto do Cabrito and Salto do Prego. On the rest of the trails we only saw a few other people.
June to September is also the time when hydrangeas are in bloom in the Azores. These gorgeous blue flowers line many roads and hiking trails in the Azores and make the already beautiful nature even more amazing!
It’s best to rent a car, as most trailheads are well away from any public transportation. The alternative is to use taxis, but this can get expensive if you plan to do a lot of hikes. Alternatively, you can take guided hiking tours that include pick-up, such as this guided trek in Sete Cidades and this tour that includes the Moinho do Felix hike.
The weather can be unpredictable, even in summer, so bring a rain jacket just in case. Sometimes the sun will be fully shining in one area, while a place just 20 minutes away is covered in mist..
Since the Azores Islands receive quite a lot of rain, trails tend to get muddy so choose appropriate footwear such as hiking boots or trainers that you don’t mind getting muddy.
The trailheads are usually very easy to find. All of the trails with official PR designations are well-indicated, generally well-maintained, and safe. However, it’s worth checking the official Azores website for trail information before you head out, in case a trail is temporarily closed. Many trails also are marked with yellow and red markers. Two parallel lines mean that you’re going in the right direction whereas two crossed lines (an X-shape) indicate the wrong way.
It’s not recommended to drink the water from the streams and rivers in the Azores, unless you have a water purifier bottle like the one from Grayl. Tap water, on the other hand, is perfectly safe to drink.