The stages are mostly short (between 30 and 50 km), but there are steep ascents to conquer and some sections have altitude differences of up to 1,100 meters. The tour is designed as an e-bike tour, but due to the ascents and altitude differences, it requires a good level of fitness.

You will reach the island of Faial with one of the flights from Lisbon or from Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores on the island of São Miguel. We will be waiting for you at Horta Airport. After a 30-minute drive, you will reach the beautiful PÁTIO Ecolodge on the north side of the island of Faial. Enjoy a welcome drink while you receive a comprehensive briefing for the self-guided tour. Relax in the afternoon by the heated saltwater pool or enjoy a glass of Pico wine in the lounge. In the evening, you can indulge in culinary delicacies from the Azores.

The highlight of the day is the Capelinhos volcano, which erupted in 1956/57. After the first ascent, you will reach a green landscape that transitions into a desert-like volcanic area. Visit the Capelinhos Information Center and enjoy the view from the lighthouse. A paved dirt road leads 6 km along the sea to the natural pools and the harbor of Varadouro. Refresh yourself in a restaurant or snack bar (seasonal). Continue to Capelo Forest Park with an open-air museum and picnic area, as well as a handicraft center. Finally, the route leads back to Cedros via a 500-meter ascent.

Drive to Caldeira de Faial, an impressive 2.5 km wide and 400 m deep crater at an altitude of 1000 m. After a challenging ascent over roads with Atlantic Ocean views and an old whale watching post, you will reach the crater rim, where a breathtaking panorama awaits you. The route takes you over 7 switchbacks and ends with a scenic descent to Horta. On the way, stop at the monument overlooking Horta Bay before crossing the city and climbing Monte Guia with a view of Porto Pim. Visit the whale museum and take the ferry to Madalena (Pico Island). Explore the surrounding area in the afternoon: swim in natural swimming pools, visit wineries or relax at Cella Bar.

Today’s tour takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pico vineyards along the Atlantic coast, framed by basalt stone walls. In Lajido, visit the Wine Interpretation Center with a wine tasting and the Volcano House. Continue to Arcos, where you can swim in the natural swimming pool or relax in the Café dos Arcos. In São Roque de Pico, take a lunch break at the Clube Naval and visit the Museum of the Whaling Industry. Afterwards, you will cycle to the cliffs on the north side with a lookout point in Prainha, which offers magnificent views of São Jorge. End the day with a swim in the seawater pool in Prainha.

Today’s stage leads along the east coast and ends in Lajes do Pico on the south side of the island. After the ascent to the “Miradouro Alto” at 400 m above sea level, you can enjoy a panoramic view of São Jorge and a 10 km descent to the eastern tip at Manhenha with a visit to the lighthouse “Ponta da Ilha”. Along the coast you cycle to Calheta de Nesquim, where you can have a picnic or take a break at the Saragaço snack bar by the natural swimming pool. Continue uphill along impressive cliffs. Optionally, you can visit the port of Ribeiras before rolling to Lajes do Pico, a historic whaling town with the Ocean Arts and Science Center.

Today is easy but exciting. Join the Espaço Thalassa whale-watching team for an in-depth briefing and a three-hour Zodiac excursion to see dolphins, whales, sea turtles and seabirds (April to October). Outside of this period, you can explore the Pico Plateau with biologists from “Hominis Natura” and discover hidden freshwater lakes and volcanic landscapes. The rest of the day is at your leisure. If you wish, you can take a tour to explore the interior of the island.

After yesterday’s rest day, you will cycle along the south coast of Pico with magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and the volcanic slopes. You will pass through villages and natural swimming pools such as São Caetano and São Mateus, where you can stop for a snack and to recharge your batteries. The route passes through UNESCO-listed vineyards framed by basalt walls and offers insights into the island’s winemaking tradition. After a lunch break at the “Parque dos Fogos” near Candelaria, the journey continues through the vineyards of “Criação Velha”, with views as far as the island of Faial. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Horta. The PÁTIO Ecolodge is then about 19 km away.

Individual departure or extension

Catering as stated in above daily program

B = Breakfast
L = Lunch/Picnic
D = Dinner