By Azores Tourist · Published 2026-10-24

São Miguel hiking: lake, forest and coastal walks compared

Choose between Serra Devassa, Vista do Rei, Sanguinho and Vigia de São Pedro by terrain, walking time and return transport.

Choose the terrain and the return journey

For São Miguel hiking, choose Serra Devassa for an upland lake circuit, Vista do Rei for a one-way crater-rim walk, Sanguinho for a forest-and-waterfall loop, or Vigia de São Pedro for a lower coastal route. The easiest logistics are not always on the shortest trail: circular routes return you to your starting area, while the two linear options need a separate return plan. Distances and average times below come from the official trail listings checked on 24 October 2026. They exclude access journeys and leisurely stops. Mata do Canário PR04SMI is currently on the official closure list, so it is not an alternative recommended here. Recheck status and weather before walking, including for trails not currently listed as closed.

Azores Trails: current closure list

Four walks with different trade-offs

Scroll sideways to compare every column.

Compare	Official route and walking time	Best reason to choose it	Main constraint
Serra Devassa PRC05SMI	9.1 km; circular; medium; 3h30	Upland lakes and a return to the starting area	Longer than older short-loop descriptions; exposed high ground
Vista do Rei PR03SMI	7.5 km; linear; easy; 2h	Crater views with a finish in Sete Cidades village	Separate start and finish; slippery final descent
Sanguinho PRC09SMI	4.6 km; circular; medium; 2h	Salto do Prego waterfall and Sanguinho village	Steep slippery paving; do not extend onto closed PR11SMI
Vigia de São Pedro PR01SMI	6 km; linear; easy; 2h	North-coast villages and sea views	Road sections and cliff hazards; return transport needed

Serra Devassa: a lake walk, not the old short circuit

The current official PRC05SMI route starts near Muro do Carvão, a remnant of the aqueduct. It passes several small lake areas and climbs Pico das Éguas; the description also takes in Lagoa do Canário and the Grota do Inferno viewpoint. Both the current page and linked leaflet describe this extended geography. Plan around the current 9.1 km and 3h30 listing. Do not arrive expecting an old, shorter Serra Devassa circuit to cover the same route. Download the latest leaflet and match it to the trailhead panel. This suits walkers who want several hours on upland paths without having to retrieve a car from another village. It is a poor choice when fog or strong winds remove both navigation confidence and the reason to be on the ridge.

Azores Trails: current Serra Devassa route

Vista do Rei: the crater walk with a village finish

PR03SMI begins at Vista do Rei and follows the southwestern Sete Cidades ridge to São Nicolau church. The official easy grade applies to the 7.5 km route, but the authority singles out the steep, slippery Arrebentões descent. Allow longer if your group needs careful footing or frequent stops. Use a prearranged taxi or transfer between Sete Cidades village and the viewpoint. Leaving the car at the finish and transferring to the start avoids having to find transport after the walk. Do not add the currently closed Mata do Canário PR04SMI to turn this into a longer ridge traverse.

Azores Trails: Vista do Rei PR03SMI

Sanguinho and Salto do Prego: the forest option

PRC09SMI starts by the bus stop in Faial da Terra, in the southeast of São Miguel. The marked route follows the stream, crosses a bridge and branches towards Salto do Prego waterfall before returning towards Sanguinho village. Its 4.6 km and two-hour official average make it shorter than Serra Devassa, but it is graded medium rather than easy. The descent from Sanguinho uses winding, inclined stone paving which the authority warns can be slippery. Wear shoes with grip and do not interpret the waterfall destination as a guarantee that swimming is safe. The route passes small orchards: do not pick fruit. A signed connection exists to Ribeira do Faial da Terra PR11SMI, but PR11SMI was on the closure list when checked. Stay on the intended PRC09SMI loop; a neighbouring path on the map is not permission to extend onto a closed route. Faial da Terra is a separate eastern outing, not a convenient last stop after a full Sete Cidades hike.

Azores Trails: Sanguinho PRC09SMI

Vigia de São Pedro: lower ground on the north coast

PR01SMI runs from the Poços bathing area at São Vicente Ferreira to the church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem in Calhetas. It passes Fenais da Luz and the São Pedro coast. The authority lists 6 km, easy difficulty and a two-hour average. Choose it for a coastal walk rather than crater lakes, with residential and road stretches as well as dirt paths. It is linear: book a return transfer or deliberately plan a shorter out-and-back, recognising that the latter is your own shortened outing rather than the full official route. Lower altitude does not make it a storm-day substitute. The official description warns of a fall hazard near the São Pedro geological hole. Stay back from cliff edges and avoid exposed coastal sections in unsuitable winds or sea conditions.

Azores Trails: Vigia de São Pedro PR01SMI

Lagoa do Fogo needs a separate route decision

The southern PR02SMI lake walk and the Fogo road viewpoints are different outings. Do not expect a seasonal viewpoint shuttle to deliver you to the southern trailhead. Our Fogo guide separates road access, the current authority notice and the detailed walking route, including the mismatch between its summary category and out-and-back instructions.

Transport, equipment and when to walk

A rental car works well for circular walks, but it does not solve a linear trail's return journey. For a guided walk, confirm the named route code, pickup point and finish transfer; a general island sightseeing tour may involve only short stops. No guide, taxi or bus price is included in the route distances above. Use daylight and a suitable forecast, with extra time for muddy or slippery paths. Take drinking water rather than relying on streams, food, waterproof layers, a charged phone and an offline map. Tell someone your route and expected return. In an emergency call 112; the numbered posts can help identify your location. Do not bypass closure signs or invent an off-trail alternative if the marked route is blocked.

Azores Trails: safety and conduct