Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour & Walking Trail Azores

🚙 Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail

🌋 Overview

The Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail combines an off-road jeep adventure with a scenic walking trail in one of São Miguel Island's most iconic volcanic landscapes. Set inside a vast volcanic crater, you will discover forested slopes, hidden lakes, and sweeping viewpoints guided by a knowledgeable local. Enjoy a relaxed full-day experience that blends nature, culture, and coastal volcanic wonders.

🧭 What to Expect

Your day begins with hotel or designated meeting point pick-up, where you will meet your local driver-guide and board a comfortable 4x4 jeep. Leaving the city behind, you will head toward the dramatic caldeira of Sete Cidades, a 3-mile (5 km) wide volcanic crater whose slopes are blanketed in lush forest and dotted with serene lakes. As you travel along picturesque country roads and dirt tracks, you will stop at a series of viewpoints and lakes that reveal the diversity of this remarkable landscape.

Along the route you will visit the small parish of Sete Cidades, a peaceful village nestled inside the crater, and learn about local life, traditions, and cuisine. The jeep will also take you out to the sea shore, where you can witness the secondary volcanic activity that heats the ocean water, creating unique hot sea water phenomena along the coast. Throughout the day, your guide will share inside tips, stories, and geological insights, helping you understand how this region was shaped.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy the Serra Devassa Walking Trail, a short circular hike of about 2 hours, classified as easy. Beginning and ending near Lagoa do Canário, this trail takes you through green hills and volcanic ridges. When you reach the top of the hillside, you will be rewarded with views over Lagoa das Éguas on your left and a small round lake on your right. A little further ahead, a side path leads to a vantage point where you can admire these lakes together with Lagoa Rasa, a perfect spot for photos and quiet contemplation.

With a full 7 hours to explore, there is time to enjoy the scenery, take photographs, and appreciate the natural beauty of Sete Cidades and Serra Devassa without rushing. Bathroom facilities are available at some stops, and you will also enjoy an included lunch, making this a complete day out in the nature of the Azores.

✨ Highlights

• 🌋 Explore a vast volcanic crater on a Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail with a local guide.
• 🚙 Go off the beaten track by jeep along dirt roads on the rim of the caldeira at Cumeeiras for panoramic views.
• 🏞️ Discover multiple lakes including Santiago, Canário, Empadadas, and the famous Sete Cidades lakes in one full-day experience.
• 🥾 Enjoy a 2-hour easy Serra Devassa walking trail with viewpoints over Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa, and a small round crater lake.
• 🌊 Visit the coast to witness secondary volcanic activity and naturally heated hot sea water along the shoreline.
• 🏘️ Stroll through Sete Cidades village and learn about local traditions, daily life, and Azorean cuisine.
• 👥 Benefit from small group service, attentive guiding, and included lunch on this Sete Cidades jeep and hiking tour.

🗺️ Itinerary

• Pick-up and Departure
  Hotel or designated meeting point pick-up, meet your driver-guide and board the 4x4 jeep for your Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail.
• Pico do Carvão Viewpoint
  First scenic stop with broad views over São Miguel’s central area and the surrounding volcanic ridges.
• Santiago Lake Viewpoint
  Pause to admire Lagoa de Santiago, a deep green crater lake surrounded by steep forested walls.
• Canário Lake Area
  Stop near Lagoa do Canário, gateway to the Serra Devassa area and the starting point for the walking trail.
• Empadadas Lake Area
  Visit the tranquil Empadadas lakes, nestled among rolling hills and dense vegetation.
• Off-Road along Cumeeiras
  Drive along the dirt road on the rim of the caldeira at Cumeeiras, enjoying wide panoramic views over the Sete Cidades lakes and crater.
• Sete Cidades Lakes and Village
  Descend into the crater to see the famous twin lakes and visit Sete Cidades village, with time to explore and learn about local culture.
• Serra Devassa Walking Trail (about 2 hours, easy)
  Start and finish opposite Lagoa do Canário on a short circular trail. Walk through green hillsides, reach a high point to view Lagoa das Éguas and a small round lake, then follow a side path to a vantage point overlooking these lakes and Lagoa Rasa.
• Coastal Area and Hot Sea Water
  Continue to the sea shore to observe secondary volcanic features where the ocean water is naturally heated by geothermal activity.
• Return
  Drive back to Ponta Delgada area with drop-off at your hotel or meeting point, concluding your Sete Cidades jeep tour São Miguel.

🎒 What’s Included

• Lunch
• Pick-up and drop-off from hotel or designated meeting points
• Driver/guide
• Small group tour experience

🚫 Exclusions

• Entrance fees in thermal pools
• Entrance fees in natural parks

ℹ️ Important Information

• Duration: Approximately 7 hours for the full Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail.
• Walking Trail: Serra Devassa trail is a short circular hike of about 2 hours, classified as easy, suitable for travelers with basic fitness.
• What to Wear: Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended, especially suitable for walking on natural trails.
• Facilities: Bathroom facilities are available at some stops along the route.
• Group Style: Operated as a small group tour to ensure more attentive service and a personalized experience.
• Weather: The tour takes place in a mountain and coastal environment, so conditions can change; the operator may adjust stops for safety and comfort.
• Access: Pick-up and drop-off are provided from hotels or designated meeting points, exact locations will be confirmed upon booking.

🚀 Secure Your Spot In The Crater

One day, two adventures: off-road discovery and volcanic ridge hiking.

Join the Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail to experience São Miguel’s most iconic crater from every angle, from rugged jeep tracks to peaceful lake viewpoints. With a local guide, small group, and lunch included, this Sete Cidades jeep and hiking tour is an easy and rewarding way to explore the wild beauty of the Azores.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

1. How long does the Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail last?
   The experience lasts about 7 hours in total. This includes the jeep tour around Sete Cidades, the visit to the coast, and the 2-hour Serra Devassa walking trail.
2. What is the difficulty level of the Serra Devassa walking trail?
   The Serra Devassa trail is described as easy and takes around 2 hours to complete. It is a short circular route that begins and ends opposite Lagoa do Canário.
3. What are the main stops on this tour?
   Key stops include Sete Cidades village, Pico do Carvão viewpoint, Santiago lake viewpoint, Canário lake area, Empadadas lake area, Cumeeiras dirt road on the rim of the caldeira, the Sete Cidades lakes, and the Serra Devassa Hiking Trail. There is also a visit to the sea shore to see hot sea water linked to secondary volcanic activity.
4. Is lunch included in the Full-Day Sete Cidades Jeep Tour and Serra Devassa Walking Trail?
   Yes, lunch is included in the tour. You also benefit from hotel or meeting point pick-up and drop-off, a driver/guide, and a small group format.
5. What should I bring and wear for this tour?
   You should bring and wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as the tour includes walking on natural trails during the Serra Devassa hike. Weather can change in the mountains and by the coast, so dressing in layers is advisable.