Self-Guided Road Bike Tour - Lakes and Volcanoes

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Tours that move you

Trips to book before it's too late. For all other dates check-out the Departure Dates menu below

Choose your own dates - Book now to cycle the volcanic origins of these islands, with many amazing roads and climbs along the way.

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Highlights

Cycling to Sete Cidades – one of the biggest craters on the islands
Bathing in a volcanic heated pool in Ferraria
Pedalling up Lagoa do Fogo, the highest point of the archipelago
Taking a dip in the waterfall near the botanical gardens of Caldeira Velha
Sampling ‘Cozido das Furnas’ – a culinary Azorean speciality
Sipping tea at the Gorreana Tea Plantation

View Trip Schedule

Day	Description	Distance	Ascent	Meals
1	Arrival: Ponta Delgada Airport	Non Riding Day
2	Sete Cidades Loop Ride - choice of 2 routes	38 Miles or 50 Miles Approx.	1,200 or 1,600 Metres Approx	B
3	Ponta Delgada Circuit - choice of 2 routes	29 Miles or 37 Miles Approx.	850 or 925 Metres Approx.	B
4	Free Day	Optional ride - 29 Miles Approx.	1,165 Metres Approx.	B
5	Ponta Delgada to Furnas - choice of 2 routes	28 Miles or 36 Miles Approx.	1,000 or 1,300 Metres Approx.	B
6	Furnase/Nordeste Loop	55 Miles Approx.	1,850 Metres Approx.	B
7	Furnas to Ponta Delgada	30 Miles Approx.	765 Metres Approx.	B
8	Departure: Ponta Delgada Airport	Non Riding Day		B

Meals: B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner Please keep in mind the distances and ascent information provided are intended to be indicative and may vary from the actuals due to accommodation changes or when compared on different GPS devices and software

For more information download our trip notes

Trip Information

Located almost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the volcanic origins of these islands are reflected in the mountains and valleys covered by a rich and varied vegetation, lakes in ancient volcanic craters, natural swimming pools by the sea, black sandy beaches, active, steaming fumaroles and thermal hot water cascades and fountains.

The trip starts following your arrival into Ponta Delgada, which is situated on the largest of the Azores islands; Sao Miguel or as it is more commonly known, The Green Island, due to its vibrant color and dense vegetation. It's here that you spend your first few days exploring the roads and climbs of the west side of the island. These include the volcanic complex of Sete Cidades, with its amazing blue and green lakes and heated pools of Ferraria where you can enjoy a swim. Towards the end of the trip, you'll be travelling along the north coast of the island, visiting Ribeirnha, which takes it's name from the small river valley it resides in.

Midpoint we have scheduled in an optional non cycling day. With the Azores famous for whales and dolphins, you can head out on a boat for a spot of whale watching in the morning. In the afternoon there is the option of a jeep trip to Fogo Lake and to Caldeira Velha - a hot waterfall where it's possible to take a dip.

You also visit the village of Furnas where you stay for two evenings. From Furnas you are well placed to really experience the volcanic origins of the island around Furnas Lake, Caldeiras da Lagoa and the fumaroles as well as time to explore the botanical gardens. Your penultimate day of cycling takes you from Povoacao towards Nordeste, a great cycling journey through the amazing forestland of the Tronqueira, with amazing views over the whole island and the ocean and a visit to the Gorreana Tea plantation.

To end the trip in style and with plenty of miles in your legs we have saved a wonderfully steep climb for your last day, climbing straight up to a volcanic rim, but worry not - we reward you with a downhill all the way to the coast and the end of your adventure in the Azores - for now at least!

For more information download our trip notes

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Trip Feedback

As seen in the press...

Sao Miguel proved to be an absolute revelation, quite simply a mind-blowing road cycling experience…Skedaddle’s holiday itinerary averages around 45 miles over six days. For a pure riding experience – strip away, say, the history involved in riding the Tourmalet for the first time – I might even have it at the top right now.

Cycling Plus (July 2015)