Azores Trekking | Lisbon & Sintra

 August 31 – September 10

Welcome to Lisbon, Sintra and  to the biggest trail of the Azores: the “Grande Rota – GR1 SMA” in Santa Maria island.
It’s 50 miles and 5 days of hiking with breathtaking landscapes.

In the company of Luis Dias, Papa-Léguas guide, we will walk the trail that surrounds the island and that hides countless natural secrets of great beauty. Santa Maria is the perfect island for those who like tranquility and nature, but also adventure!

Every day is different and has many surprises for us to enjoy and explore one of the most authentic islands of the Azores archipelago. This is a trip that will surprise all lovers of hiking or trekking.

Lisbon needs no introduction: an ancient city with many stories to tell.

And Sintra, easily accessible from Lisbon, is one of Portugal’s pearls. Fairytale atmospheres, historic palaces and stunning views will enchant you.

“Sit in the sun.
Abdicate and be your own king.”
( F. Pessoa )

Program

Day 1: Arrival at Lisbon

Arrival at Lisbon and free transfer (*) to hotel. Check-in and free time.

(*) On arrival, easily we can get an Uber to our hotel.

Day 2: Full day walking city tour in Lisboa

After the breakfast (around 8h30-9h00) the guide will meet you at hotel for briefing and to start the full day walking tour in Lisbon.

The tour will focus on the city’s dynamic Alfama, Mouraria and up-and-coming Chiado neighborhoods, delving into Lisbon’s history and its golden age during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Is not included any meal but we can break from our tour to have lunch in a cozy restaurant and then continue the tour.

We will walk around 8 to 12 km, depending the clients. Around 18h30 we will return to hotel.

Day 3: Flight Lisbon – Santa Maria

Flight to Vila do Porto, located on the island of Santa Maria, with possibility of layovers.

Arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Check-in at the hotel located in Vila do Porto (from 2PM). We have some free time to visit part of the Vila do Porto’s attractions, such as its port and fortress, its main church and to visit some museums.

Vila do Porto is the oldest Azorean town, it is located on a spur, bordering the sea and between two streams, São Francisco and Sancho, this location is due to defensive issues, especially against pirates and corsairs. Vila do Porto is divided into two parts, below the main church, where the original medieval streets are kept, and above the parish church, of more recent occupation, along a long and wide street, ending at the Church of Santo Antão.

Day 4: Trek Vila do Porto – Malbusca 6 miles

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we begin our journey towards the village of Malbusca, situated on the scenic south coast of the island.

This day includes beautiful landscapes of the south coast, such as the cliffs in the Facho region that lead to a deserted beach called Prainha, where we can take a swim. We will pass by places of high natural interest like Pedreira do Campo or Gruta do Figueiral.

We will stop for lunch at a restaurant in Praia Formosa before we go up the Caminho Velho da Praia, towards the Santo Espírito Highlands, where the villages nestle in the hillsides with their typical houses, looking like something out of a fairytale.

MEALS: Breakfast, dinner.

ROUTE Vila Do Porto – Malbusca

• Length: about 6 miles
• Type: Linear in coastal environment, agricultural
• Trail: beaten dirt and stone paths; cross-country
• Accumulated slope
• Altitude: 270m.
• Altitude: 0m.
• Duration: 5 hours plus stops (subject to change)
• Difficulty level: Moderate (level 2)

Day 5: Trek Malbusca – Santo Espírito 8,7 miles

Transportation to Malbusca, the starting point of today’s trek. Today we will have another spectacular day of hiking, where we will walk along ancient paths that will take us through the geopark of the island to visit the iconic prismatic disjunction of Ribeira de Maloás

After that, with a stop at the chapel of Senhora da Boa Morte, we will continue to one of the most spectacular lighthouses in Portugal, the Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse, located at the tip of Castelo and next to Maia Bay, a landscape that will show us for the first time the vineyards cultivated in terraces that cascade down to the sea, in a landscape of great beauty.

We will make a brief stop at the natural pools in the village of Maia for a refreshing swim, if the weather is favorable. Another point of interest for today is the Aveiro Waterfall, a waterfall that will surprise us with its natural setting. If possible, Maia Bay is a great place to have lunch.

We will climb through the terraced vineyards and a spectacular landscape up to the village of Santo Espírito. There is a possibility to visit the local museum, which includes a very interesting ethnographic collection.

MEALS: Breakfast.

ROUTE Malbusca – Santo Espírito

• Length: about 8,7 miles
• Type: Linear in coastal environment, agricultural
• Trail: beaten dirt and stone paths; cross-country
• Accumulated slope:
• Altitude: 340m
• Altitude: 0m
• Duration: 5 and a half hours, plus stops (subject to change)
• Difficulty level: Moderate (level 3)

Day 6: Trek Santo Espírito – Norte 9,6 miles

Transportation to Santo Espirito, the starting point of today’s route. Today we will have another full day, with a hike that will exceed our expectations.

Places like the viewpoint and bay of São Lourenço, where we can have lunch or Ponta Norte appear during our “trekking” to surprise us.

MEALS: Breakfast, dinner.

ROUTE Santo Espírito – Norte

• Length: about 9,6 miles
• Type: Linear in coastal environment, agricultural
• Trail: dirt and stone paths; small bush cutters
• Altitude: 340m
• Altitude: 0m
• Duration: 6-7 hours with stops
• Difficulty level: Moderate (level 3)

Day 7: Trek North – Bananeiras 11,5 miles

Transportation to the village of Norte, the starting point of today’s trek. During today’s day, we will pass through one of the most emblematic places on the Island of Santa Maria, Pico Alto, which is surrounded by a beautiful Laurisilva forest and numerous iconic species.

MEALS: Breakfast, dinner.

ROUTE Norte – Bananeiras

• Length: about 11,5 miles
• Type: Linear in coastal environment, agricultural
• Trail: dirt and stone paths; small bush cutters
• Accumulated slope: 400m
• Maximum altitude: 560m
• Minimum altitude: 160m.
• Duration: 7-8 hours with stops
• Difficulty level: Moderate (level 3)

Day 8: Trek Bananeiras – Vila do Porto 14,3 miles

Transport to Bananeiras, the starting point of today’s route. Last day of march to Vila do Porto. There is a possibility of shortening the walking day, avoiding the region of the airport.

Arrival at the hotel, located in Vila do Porto. Free time and celebration dinner.

MEALS: Breakfast.

ROUTE Bananeiras – Vila Do Porto

• Length: about 14,3 miles
• Type: Linear in coastal environment, agricultural
• Trail: dirt and stone paths; small bush cutters
• Accumulated slope: 400m
• Maximum altitude: 560m
• Minimum altitude: 160m.
• Duration: 6h30m with stops
• Level of difficulty: Moderate (level 2+)

Day 9: Flight Santa Maria – Lisbon

Depending on the time of the flight, there is the possibility of doing the optional activity of circling the island by boat.

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Lisbon. Arrival in Lisbon and free transfer to Lisbon hotel. Free time.

MEALS: Breakfast.

Day 10 : Full day walking city tour in Sintra

After the breakfast (around 8h30) the guide will meet you at hotel, and we will walk to Rossio Train station ( 2km /25m aprox. descent), to catch the train to Sintra Village ( 45m).

On arrival, we will walk to Regaleira Palace thru the historical center. The visit to Regaleira, take us around 2 hours, them, we will lunch (not included). After lunch, we will take the shuttle to visit the Moorish castle (2 hours) and then, we return by shuttle to Sintra train station to return to Lisboa.

On arrival, we will walk to hotel ( 2km / 35m ascent).

We return to hotel around 19h00.

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast in Lisboa hotel, free transfer to airport.

Farewell!

IMPORTANT NOTE

Before departure, the guide will contact all participants with useful information about the trip and the necessary equipment.
The programme may be changed at the guide’s discretion depending on weather conditions and the technical level of the participants.
In the event of changes to the programme, for reasons beyond the guide’s control, any additional costs will be divided among the participants.

Travel insurance and assistance: it is compulsory and must be stipulated directly by the customer.

We will be happy to suggest the best available on the market !

GENERAL INFORMATION

 Group Tour (max. 10 person)

Overnight stay in a shared double room, included  10 breakfast and 3 dinners : quotation on request

BOOKING POLICY AND PENALTIES:

Payments: 30% deposit on booking, balance 30 days before departure date.

Informations and booking

info@summit8.it

stefano.piccoli@summit8.it