Furnas is one of the more popular visitor destinations on São Miguel, known for its hot springs and the Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake). The 6 km loop around the lake is one of the easier, flatter, off-road runs on the island. There are lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains, beautiful trees & flowers, and even a bamboo forest. On a hot day, this is a nice opportunity for some shade. There are steaming hot springs at the lake’s northern end.
Mark Lowenstein
A good place to start is the parking lot, at the southern end of the lake. Running clockwise, the path is a mix of cinder and gravel, with a couple of paved and even cobblestone sections. It’s a straightforward, marked loop.
Add-Ons. Hiking trail running in the Grena Waterfalls Park, accessible at the southern end of the lake.
Option: Run from town. If staying in Furnace, it’s possible to run from town to the lake. There’s a map kiosk just off the EN1 road near the Campo de Furnas stadium. It’s 2.4 km from town, involving a 200m climb on the way to the lake.
Furnas is one of the more popular visitor destinations on São Miguel, known for its hot springs and the Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake). The 6 km loop around the lake is one of the easier, flatter, off-road runs on the island. There are lovely views of the lake and surrounding mountains, beautiful trees & flowers, and even a bamboo forest. On a hot day, this is a nice opportunity for some shade. There are steaming hot springs at the lake’s northern end.
Mark Lowenstein
A good place to start is the parking lot, at the southern end of the lake. Running clockwise, the path is a mix of cinder and gravel, with a couple of paved and even cobblestone sections. It’s a straightforward, marked loop.
Add-Ons. Hiking trail running in the Grena Waterfalls Park, accessible at the southern end of the lake.
Option: Run from town. If staying in Furnace, it’s possible to run from town to the lake. There’s a map kiosk just off the EN1 road near the Campo de Furnas stadium. It’s 2.4 km from town, involving a 200m climb on the way to the lake.
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Essentials
Lake loop is 6 km (3.8 miles). Can run from town, adds ~2.5 km each way.
Rolling hills
Parking lot at southwestern end of lake
Parking lots at southern or northern ends of lake. Can also run there from town.
A pleasant waterfront run in Ponta Delgada -- capital of the Azores and its largest city. It's one of the few opportunities on São Miguel for a flat, easy run along the water. 10k out and back, and great views!
Easy trail run along a path above the water on the northern coast of São Miguel, between Calhetas and São Vicente Ferreira. Fantastic views the whole way. Path is more of a wide dirt road. Up to 6.5 km one-way.
We've scoped out the best options for safe and scenic waterfront running on the island of Terceira. Includes routes in Angra do Heroísmo, Negrito, the area around Fort of Greta, Biscoitos, and Praia da Vitória.
Terceira has a wonderful network of well-waymarked walking and hiking trails. Those that are classified as 'easy' good trail runs for the average runner. Those marked as 'medium' or 'difficult' are more challenging trail running.
Our guide to running on some 30 km of quiet, scenic coastal roads on Pico, including a 13 km cycle path between Madalena and Arcos. Great views of the water and the island's unique landscape: Mt. Pico, farms, vineyards, & lava fields.
Our recommendations for some of the walking/hiking trails on Pico that are an easy-to-moderate trail run. Lava fields, vineyards, coastal views. Vinhas da Criação Velha is a favorite. Also we point out some of the scenic, quiet interior roads.
We've scoped out some scenic, (relatively) flat waterfront routes on São Jorge island: Velas (including two running tracks!), Calheta, & Urzelina. Trail runners looking for scenery & hills will be in heaven!
A small, scenic, and hilly island! The best, easy waterfront run is in the city of Horta, location of the ferry terminal. Get the heart rate up by adding the road up Monte Guia!
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Essentials
Lake loop is 6 km (3.8 miles). Can run from town, adds ~2.5 km each way.
Rolling hills
Parking lot at southwestern end of lake
Parking lots at southern or northern ends of lake. Can also run there from town.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!