1. Lagoa do Fogo
(Fire Lagoon)
The Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lagoon) is one of the most stunning natural treasures on the island of São Miguel. It's a volcanic origin lagoon that has been protected as a natural reserve since 1974. It's located in the interior part of São Miguel Island, at the bottom of an extinct volcano crater, within the vast volcanic massif of Serra de Água de Pau.
This lagoon sits at the highest altitude on the island, about 575 meters above sea level. And it's pretty large too; measuring approximately 2 km long and 1 km wide, covering a total area of 1,360 hectares. Impressive, right? In fact, in 2012, "Praia de Lagoa do Fogo" was recognized as one of the 7 wonders of Portugal in the "wild beach" category.
The whole scenery around Lagoa do Fogo is just spectacular. The view from the viewpoints along the road is breathtaking if the weather and fog permit. One of the highly recommended viewpoints is the Lagoa do Fogo Viewpoint. This viewpoint also offers the option to descend to the lagoon via a fairly accessible trail with stairs.
Another way to explore Lagoa do Fogo is by following the PRC02 SMI trail - From Praia to Lagoa do Fogo. If you're into hiking, we consider this route a must-do. And the payoff is worth it: since it's a shore inaccessible by car, you'll likely get to enjoy it alone or with the few people who have done the trail. Just remember, swimming isn't allowed as it's a natural reserve.
The PRC02 SMI trail is circular, rated as medium difficulty. It covers a total distance of 10.9 km and takes around 4 hours to complete. It's excellently marked, making it easy to follow and reducing the chances of getting lost. Also, due to its length, it's not very crowded, meaning you're likely to encounter few people along the way. But don't worry, despite the considerable elevation gain, it's fairly easy and doesn't require top-notch physical condition.
And finally, another very popular way to explore Lagoa do Fogo is through a full-day tour from Ponta Delgada that combines the visit with another of São Miguel's most spectacular lagoons: Lagoa das Sete Cidades. This Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo Tour is one of the most booked on the island, although more and more people are choosing to do it by jeep with this Jeep Tour of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo.
So, if you don't want to worry about transportation, don't have a private vehicle, or simply want the insights of a local guide, this is a great option.
>> You can book this tour here.
>> You can book the jeep tour here.