Lagoa do Fogo is a 3.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Vila Franca do Campo, Azores, Portugal that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
hiking
nature trips
forest
lake
views
muddy
This short and steep hike has beautiful views, plenty of parking and an easy to find trailhead. You will make your way down to the lake, Lagoa da Fogo. The trail is very steep and can be slippery and/or muddy on way down.
As others have said, there are various loops that can done here, but I kept it simple when I arrived because it was completely fogged in and raining off and on. I went up on the ridge for a bit, then down to the lake on the main trail with the steps. Pretty muddy, but if you are careful you won't slip. Lots of people and tour buses up on the road looking down at the lake on the one side, and the ocean on the other. A subset of these folks are on the trails, but it's not crazy crowded. It is very, very beautiful when the clouds clear. If you are patient, they will clear eventually, so don't give up too quick.
It is definitely not moderate! The climb back is really hard and literally bearth taking! But totally worth it!
A beautiful trail. Quick to get down (since it’s all downhill) then we walked around the lake which was peaceful. We treated the hike back up like a workout since it’s all uphill and a little intense and we got back to the top in under 12 minutes!
We hiked this loop with our 9 mo old son in a front-facing Ergobaby. The hike down is the tricky part with a baby because there are deep “steps” and you have to look around the baby as you step down. Otherwise, the views are incredible. The lake is amazing. The sand is rough (ground up rocks) but if you bring a towel, it is a really nice place to picnic before you turn around.
short but tricky, easy once you get to the bottom.
Enjoyed all aspecs of this trail. Was very windy at the top and bottom but had to remove layers in between.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
