Explore the most popular lake trails in Portugal with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Fantastic views and all!! BUT I wouldn't call the part of the trial that you descend and ascend out of the crater easy. That part was not easy at all.
Paul P. on Boca do Inferno
Go early for best chance to beat the clouds. Incredible view
Actually did not realize we were off trail until it was too late. I don’t really suggest our path, it was adventurous and fun but not necessarily the safest. I’m pretty sure all of the trails are most likely muddy and wet since we took the appropriate way back, so I suggest wearing some hiking/trail running shoes that are waterproof with some good lugs.
I wouldn’t call this a hike. I was under the impression that it was a nicely trailed pathway as seen in the popular boco do inferno photo. It is an old dirt road trail that takes you around Sete Cidades. Some great view points of the lakes but it is a long 20km trek on a dirt road. Would recommend spending time walking around Boco do inferno viewpoint.
There are a lot of trails around here so you can mix and match to get a number of different views of this beautiful volcanic lake. I spent some time on the ridgeline above the lake, and then took the wooden stairs down to the lake itself and did part of the loop around it before turning back due to time. The only tough part can be the stairs down, as there are quite a few of them.
Great trail. At sunrise, I spent the first two hours totally alone without seeing anybody. The view is fantastic. The drawback of this trail is the last stretch (at least 3 km) that you spend on the road in between the guardrail and cars passing by.
Weather was unstable when I was there therefore I had to cut my hike shorter (there are trails unmarked on this map). Please note that walking on the ridge can be hazardous when wet and rainy and it is advised to have long trousers or a machete. Otherwise it is mind-blowingly beautiful.
You can extend this trail to use a different ascend/descend routes. There are some trails that not marked on this map. Please note that walking on the ridge can be hazardous when wet and rainy and it is advised to have long trousers or a machete. Otherwise it is mind-blowingly beautiful.
Everybody tries to park next to the road but actually there is a huge parking lot at the toilet sign, about 200 m from the road if you drive through the gate.
You can also drive to the view point so it meas it is walking on roads not exactly a walking trail.
It is a popular and therefore a bit crowded walk. Weather in the Azores is very erratic and unfortunately it was rainy and foggy when I was there. Keep it in mind that when wet, trail is very slippery.
You walk on the same road that you drive to the trail. As a matter of fact it is not a trail but a road walk all way long. Easy, flat walk but I think other places are more beautiful on the island and deserve to have more time than this walk.
Going to give this a 4 Star because it isn’t really a hike, but want to rate it high enough that you do it- the view is awesome
Don’t just do the 1.5 mile trail - do the loop around the entire lake! Not bad. You have some Rocky sections and have to take your shoes off and wade on nice sandy bottoms, but it makes it a real hike
Grandma friendly and pretty. Park at the lake and add the gardens.
Nothing but cow pasture or busy rode if you start your hike in town
Comparing to other trails in the island, this one is decent. At least there are only a few cars. If you want the best view - take a trip to one of the tops, it's not included in this hike which is disappointing.
Half of the way is on the road with cars. It's better to do half way and go back. You won't see anything new on this half. I am really disappointed because of this car-road trails all over the island. They have high reviews but if you have something to compare to, it is 1-2 stars. Why you call this a trail if I can drive my small car on it? I don't even need SUV.
View is spectacular but very weather dependent. Be patient and clouds will eventually break!
Short and steep. Plenty of parking and easy to find trailhead. Trail is very steep and slippery on way down. Use good footwear. You won’t get lost. Beautiful views from top and way down. Lake itself is pretty average. Easy hike overall. No bathrooms anywhere close by, so plan accordingly.
Loved it cool mix of natural with industry
Short and easy. Beautiful view.
Beautiful hike. Note that the official trail is linear. We had to jump across a closed gate on the way down. Make sure to check the webcam before leaving, it was very cloudy when we got up there.
Extremely beautiful hike around the rim and down to Sete Cidades. Easy as it mostly goes downhill if you just go one way. We used two cars. It was unclear to us whether there was an easy way of going from the town to the beginning of the hike.
did the out and back hike, not the loop. easy parking on the side of the road near the trailhead. initial trail is a dirt road with lots of cow poop, little shade. recommend a hat. trail gets much better/scenic after that bit. it’s pretty much all uphill until you reach the lake. there isn’t a point where you can see both the lake and ocean at the same time, but the views are amazing. great hike
beyond beautiful! at all angles. fun, not too difficult and made me want to keep going
Short and quick. You can actually drive and park right at the base of the climb/stairs if you’d like instead of parking across the road and walking in. The view is incredible! Absolute must visit.
Nice easy hike around a beautiful lake. Lovely views all around and an abandoned chapel about half-way. Calderas and thermal springs are interesting as well. Love Vale Das Furnas and São Miguel!!!
Insanely beautiful views at the top. You can sea the ocean on one side and the lake on the other.
I also really liked how the view along the hike to get to the lake was ever changing. Open dirt roads through rolling hills, then through the forest, then along the aqueduct system, then up the side of the crater... this is a very mentally stimulating hike.
With that being said, it is a very challenging hike. The uphill climb is steep. It gets pretty muddy in spots. Make sure to bring plenty of water and don't forget to stretch before you go or you'll be very sore the next day! Worth it for the views though.
Spectacular trail. Also I strongly recommend you go to the boca de inferno miradour somewhat off the trail. It is the most spectacular view in the island!