Guided hikes on São Jorge

Hiking trails offer an excellent opportunity to explore everything around us with various senses. The island of São Jorge, also called the Dragon Island, is characterized by steeply sloping coasts and a volcanic mountain ridge. The shallow plains, called Fajãs, can be found in many places on the island. Over the centuries they have provided little space for settlements with agriculture. With good visibility, the islands of Graciosa and Terceira can be spotted from the north coast of São Jorge. On clear days, the south coast of São Jorge offers a view of the neighboring island of Pico with its towering volcano. Many trails on the Dragon Island meander up and down the steep shores, or move along the volcanic cones of the central ridge.

Hike São Jorge: Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo
The hike to the Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo and onto the Fajã dos Cubres (ending of trail) is a traditional feeder road between the cliffs and the sea. The first 5 km of the trail descend from the ridge to the coast, a footpath among various species of endemic flora (such as tree heath, juniper and blueberry bushes). The path is characterized by milled earth and paving stones. Before the trail reaches the coast, it leads past a waterfall. The waterfall’s basin with its crystal-clear water invites hikers on a warm day to take a cooling bath. From there, the trail eventually leads down to the coast, to the Caldeira de Santo Cristo with its unique microclimate. There is a particularly tasty clam that thrives in the lagoon of the Caldeira. The second half of the trail (approx. 5 km) leads slightly uphill and downhill, continuously along the coast. This section of the trail offers picturesque panoramic views of the cliffs of the island. Once in Fajã dos Cubres (the ending point of the hike), a visit of the small church of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes completes the hiking excursion. From there, the transfer back to Calheta will surely be interrupted by a stop at a magnificent viewpoint.

Distance: 10 kilometers, first descending from 690 m to almost 0 m, then leading along the coast, gently uphill and downhill, to the end. The hike is classified as intermediate. (Participants should have a normal condition and be sure-footed).
Included: English speaking guide, transfer from/ to Calheta (registered office), picnic, insurance
Minimum number of participants: one person


Hike São Jorge: Pico da Esperança
This hike leads through three nature reserves. The high density of endemic plants of a high botanical value has lead to the protection of some areas on São Jorge. The trail starts at the Pico das Caldeirinhas and ends at the north coast, in the Fajã do Ouvidor. It leads along craters of extinct volcanoes, some of them with small crater lakes. The highest spot of the trail is the Pico da Esperanca (with an altitude of 1,056 m the highest mountain of São Jorge). It provides a wonderful view over the island of São Jorge, as well as over the other islands of the central group. With a bit of luck it’s possible to spot the rarest European Orchid, the "Plantanthera azorica", in this area. The entire trail leads over hills and through valleys, a scenery that seems to be part of a painting. Arrived in the village of Fajã do Ouvidor by the ocean, there is a path along the volcanic rock coast, which leads to picturesque natural swimming pools. The largest and most famous one is the pool of Simão Dias. It’s worth taking a dip before heading back home.

Distance: 17 kilometers; the hike is classified as intermediate. Walking time 5 hours, total 6 hours (participants should have a normal condition and be sure-footed)
Included: English speaking guide, transfer from/ to Calheta (registered office), picnic, insurance
Minimum number of participants: one person


Hike São Jorge: Ponta dos Rosais
The hike starts in the forest park of Sete Fontes in Ponta dos Rosais, in the west of the island of São Jorge. The first part of the walk leads through the beautiful park which is taken care of very well. Leaving the park, the hike leads along rough roads to the north coast of the island. There an old whaler’s lookout providing breathtaking views over the lighthouse of Rosais and the coast. From the lookout, the whales were spotted during the times of the whale hunt. Due to safety regulations, the lighthouse itself can no longer be visited. At its opening in 1957, it was one of the most modern light houses in Portugal. From the lighthouse, one can view the Atlantic Ocean in the north and in the south of the island. Enjoy the magnificent view over the blue calm water and try to spot another Central Group island in the distance.

Distance: 12 kilometers; the hike is classified as intermediate. Walking time 4 hours, total 5 hours; altitude: 250 m (participants should have a normal physical condition and be sure-footed)
Included: English speaking guide, transfer from/ to Calheta (registered office), picnic, insurance
Minimum number of participants: one person