Azores, Portugal — Volcanic Island Trail Running

A World Apart in the Mid-Atlantic

Imagine standing on the rim of a volcanic crater, twin lakes of blue and green shimmering far below, with nothing but ocean in every direction for a thousand miles. Welcome to the Azores — Portugal’s remote archipelago planted squarely in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. For trail runners looking for something genuinely different, this place delivers in ways that are hard to overstate.

The nine islands of the Azores sit along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a volcanic hotspot that has sculpted a landscape unlike anything in mainland Europe. Lush green hillsides drop into deep calderas. Coastal cliffs rise hundreds of meters from churning surf. And the trails? They thread through all of it.

Sete Cidades — The Crown Jewel

The Sete Cidades crater on São Miguel island is the image that sells the Azores, and for good reason. The rim trail covers roughly 12 kilometers and delivers nonstop views into the massive caldera below, where Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde sit side by side in impossible shades of blue and green. The footing is a mix of packed dirt, grass, and volcanic rock — technical enough to keep you honest but never punishing.

Start early. The Azores are famous for fast-moving weather, and mornings tend to be clearest. By midday, clouds often roll in and swallow the crater whole, which is beautiful in its own way but not ideal if you want the full panorama.

Beyond Sete Cidades, São Miguel is laced with trails that range from easy coastal walks to serious mountain runs. The trail from Sete Cidades down to Mosteiros on the northwest coast is a favorite — a steep, winding descent through dense hydrangea-lined paths that spills out at a black sand beach with dramatic sea stacks.

On the eastern end of the island, Furnas offers a completely different vibe. The trails here wind through a humid, almost tropical forest canopy, past fumaroles venting steam and bubbling hot springs. The air smells faintly of sulfur, and the ground is warm underfoot in places. It feels like running through another planet.

Recovery Like Nowhere Else

Here is where the Azores really separate themselves from other trail running destinations. After a long day on your feet, you can soak in natural hot springs heated by volcanic activity. The thermal pools at Poça da Dona Beija in Furnas are the most popular — warm iron-rich water surrounded by tropical plants. There are also wild hot springs scattered around the islands for those willing to explore.

The food recovery game is strong too. Cozido das Furnas is a traditional stew slow-cooked underground using volcanic heat. Pair it with local cheese from São Jorge island and passionfruit from a roadside stand and you have a post-run meal that beats any energy bar.

Why the Azores Belong on Your List

The Azores remain surprisingly under the radar for international trail runners. The trails are well-maintained, the scenery is world-class, and the volcanic terrain offers a running experience you simply cannot replicate elsewhere. Flights from Lisbon are short and affordable, and once you are on the islands, costs stay reasonable.

Whether you are training for an ultra or just want a week of exploratory runs in a landscape that feels like it was designed for adventure, the Azores deliver. Share your Azorean trail discoveries with the ZealZag community — this is exactly the kind of hidden gem our athletes love uncovering together.