We had no shortage of hiking trails to explore on São Miguel and Flores. During our trip, we hiked along dramatic coastlines, to hidden waterfalls, through historic villages, past fields of cows and horses, and around serene lakes.
Most of the trails were well-marked, but a few sections lacked clear footpaths, so we had to forge our own. Although both islands have year-round residents, we rarely saw anyone else on our hikes. So when we reached the trail’s destination, whether it was a waterfall or beach, we had it all to ourselves.
We loved the Salto do Cagarrão and Salto do Prego waterfall trails on São Miguel and also did a portion of the PR02 FLO route on Flores.
Even for those who don’t hike, the Azores are an outdoor paradise. Visitors can soak in geothermal pools, ride ATVs, go canyoning, or spend time whale watching.
On a rainy morning in Furnas, a town on São Miguel, we visited the natural hot springs and soaked in the mineral-rich, 102.2-degree water underneath cool raindrops.
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