There are a number of hiking trails around the island of Faial. Route information and downloadable maps can be found on the following website.
There are 9 main trails and 1 coast to coast adventure.
Cabeço do Canto – Medium with a circular distance of 2.6km and duration of 2 hours
Located in the Central Area passing through areas of great volcanic interest, such as the volcanic ridge of Península do Cabeço, a geosite with around 20 volcanic cones, from Cabeço dos Trinta until Capelinhos.
For more information about the hike click here
Caldeira – Easy with a circular distance of 6.8km and duration of 2.5 hours
The route takes you around the circumference of the Caldeira, a vast crater of an extinct volcano, stretching 2km in diameter. To descend the Caldeira you need special permission and a guide. Find out more here.
For more information about the hike click here
Caminhos Velhos – Hard with a linear distance of 17.5km and a duration of 7 hours
This route crosses the protected area for habitats and species management of Lomba Grande, a section of natural reserve of the Caldeira of Faial. A major part of the trail is through the Graben of Pedro Miguel, one of the main geosites of the Archipelago. This walk, besides its landscape value, takes place in old rural roads that connected the populations in the old times.
For more information about the hike click here
Ribeirinha – Easy with a circular distance of 8.3km and duration of 2.5 hours
This trail is a circular route around the village of Ribeirinha, partially entering in the protected area for habitats and species management of Lomba Grande and the Graben of Pedro Miguel, one of the main geosites of the Archipelago. Also known as the volcanic complex of Ribeirinha, this area is the oldest part of the island at around 800 thousand years old.
For more information about the hike click here
Rocha da Fajã – Easy with a circular distance of 5km and duration of 2 hours
This trail is within the protected area for the habitats and species management of Capelinhos, showcasing the Fajã da Praia do Norte. greatly affected by the historical eruption of Cabeço do Fogo in 1672. The geosite of the fossil cliffs of Praia do Norte represents an important place for the settlement, due to its micro climate that allowed the construction of vineyards, wine cellars and summer houses.
For more information about the hike click here
Rumo ao Morro de Castelo Branco – Easy with a circular distance of 3.7km and duration of 1.5 hours
This trail starts in the protected area for the habitats and species management of Varadouro and follows in to the natural reserve and geosite of Morro de Castelo Branco, a peninsula on the Southeast part of the island.
For more information about the hike click here
Dez Vulcões – Hard with a linear distance of 19.3km and a duration of 5 hours
This trail begins at the Caldeira and ends at Capelinhos Volcano. This long hike passes through the geosites that form the origins of the island including the Caldeira, the volcanic ridge the Península of Capelo and landscapes around the Capelinhos and Costado da Nau. This trail begins at an altitude between 800 and 900 meters and so it is advisable to do it on days of good weather and visibility.
For more information about the hike click here
Entre Montes – Easy with a circular distance of 3.4km and a duration of 1.5 hours
This route encircles Monte da Guia and Quiemado, two natural reserves and areas of vital historical importance because of their strategic location for original settlers, as well as being the peninsula that was key to the development of telecommunications between Europe and the United States where, in 1893, the first underwater telegraphic cable was installed that provided crucial communications for the allies during the World Wars.
For more information about the hike click here
Levada – Easy with a linear distance of 7.6km and duration of 2.5 hours
The trail passes through the geosite, the Peninsula do Capelo, full of great richness regarding species of fauna and flora, typical from the Laurel Forest.
For more information about the hike click here
Faial Coast to Coast – Hard with a linear distance of 36.8km and duration of 12 hours
This trail takes us back through the time of the island’s formation, passing by volcanic cones and chimneys, craters and caves, mysterious and characteristic places of the beautiful Azorean volcanic landscapes. It covers many of the hikes listed above, starting in Ribeirinha and running along one of the transversal faults of the great submarine ridge towards the west of Faial. The trail reaches 1000m, passing the Caldeira, the Cedros Volcanic Complex covered in luxuriant Laurel Forest vegetation, that lives in the mist. You will pass through lush and vibrant landscapes until you reach the desert area of Capelinhos Volcano.
For more information about the hike click here
Please follow the official trails marked with a red and yellow line. If for any reason you stop seeing these marks after a while, just walk back. It is generally pretty straight forward to find your way on the official trails, but we know some guests who once got lost because they missed the mark where they had to turn right, and went the wrong way for hours and then called us for help to navigate home. Just be careful navigating.
Your Place to Stay 