The Azores appear to me like small gems. The islands are located far out in the Atlantic Ocean and thus they are Europe's outermost point. These island are absolutely worth a visit. The archipelago consists of nine islands. I visited four of them and found that they were very different, while at the same time they also have common features. The islands are dominated by the volcanic forces that once created them. Earthquakes are also a phenomenon that is still felt on the islands, although they are rare and not that powerful either. But the landscape is characterized by both. But it is also green and lush. Lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, steep mountain sides and extinct craters. In this post I have chosen to focus on landscapes from the largest of the islands, São Miguel. For a little more than a week we traveled by car around the island, along the coast and inland to crater lakes and hot springs. We did both short hikes, and longer hikes, besides visiting small villages, bathing in the hot springs and taste tea grown on the island
Lagoa do Fogo
In the middle of the island you will find the crater lake – Lagoa do Fogo. To get to the lake, we had to drive up the steep hillside. At the viewpoint Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo there is a path leading down to the lake. At the bottom we took a walk along part of the lake. Only a short drive from here you will find Caldeira Velha – hot springs in a lush, dense and damp forrest. That was the perfect thing to do after the hike.
Mosteiros
Along the south coast towards the western point we made a stop at Mosteiros with the two colums in the sea. There is a beach with black sand and also a much more rocky place, but we did see people get into the water even it was rough.
Sete Cidades
From Mosteiros we drive inland to Sete Cidades. This is a huge crater with lakes and a village in the bottom. The best view is from the viewpoint Vista do Rei. This is also the starting point for hikes. The photo is taken from the viewpoint.
Furnas
Now we move more inland again. This time to Furnas, which is an old spa town because the hot springs. One can take a walk around the lake. We did that. There is a lovely view of the lake on one side and dense forest on the other. At the other end of the lake we come to the steams from the hot springs. Here, locals prepare food by sinking it into holes and letting the heat cook the food.
When driving along the northern coast from Nordeste in the far east and to Ribeira Grande (where we stayed) there are lots of viewpoints that invites for a stop. A beautiful island with lots of places that invites to plenty of hiking posibilities.
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