Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lagoon, Lake Furnas)

Furnas Lagoon, formed from a volcanic crater, is located in the parish of Furnas, Povoação municipality. The third largest lagoon on the island of São Miguel, it was the last to have erupted in 1630 and is a dramatic example of the volcanic activity that formed the Azorean islands. In this idyllic paradise, the large lagoon has flowering verdant shores, and fumaroles where volcanic activity comes to the surface in pools of mud and boiling water.

HIKING: Confirm with a map! There are reportedly 2 main hiking routes. One uphill hike to higher trails with views, and the lower 6 mile relatively flat lake shore route where one can visit the calderas and then enjoy views of the attractive tree lined lake, and old unusual looking church, birds, daytime bats, and a lot of outdoor art. The path is well defined, shaded, dotted with picnic tables, benches and tree trunk seating. It takes 2-4 hours to hike around this lower path, depending on your pace.  About half way around there is a wood yard, a public research centre with bathroom and cafe (in winter open every day except Monday.) A trail that leads away from the lake goes uphill to the slightly spooky old abandoned estate, Casa da Grená.

Foodies: This is where the local restaurants cook the famous Furnas Cozido meat and vegetable stew with volcanic heat. They dip their pots into the naturally boiling water of the caldeiras (hot springs) and then leave them buried for several hours in the hot ground.

Bring food and water. There is a difference of opinion on whether there is any food available anymore.  There have been reports of ice cream stop 2/3 the way around the lower level hiking trail (2018), and a fruit vendor around the caldeiras, but they shouldn’t be counted on.

Public transportation:  public bus from and back to Ponta Delgada. from Ponta Delgada to Furnas, there is a bus stop by the waterfront, opposite side from the Tourism Office. Bus stop is across from the building with a big “ALFANDEGA” sign on the top. On entry to Furnas village, the bus will pass the REPSOL gas station on the left, then turn right towards the bus stop, which is near the entrance to Parque Terra Nostra. To start the hike, walk back to the gas station and continue along that road. The road will split – the one on the left is the road where the bus came from. The one on the right is the cemented road to the trail. Continue on that road until it turns sharply to the left and there is a wooden arrow sign for “Lagoas das Furnas” pointing to the dirt trail on the right. The trail has short steep uphill which will bring you to the Caldeiras area of the lake. You will smell the sulfur before you see the area. There are washrooms in this area.

Catch either the buses going to Furnas or bus #318 to POVAOCAO (Furnas is the 2nd to last stop). 9am bus #318 arrives in Furnas at 10:30am. The bus is often full of visitors going to Furnas. It is scheduled to return to Ponta Delgada at 4:10 PM, so you have lots of time for the hike.

MORE DETAILS:  Get trail guide PR6SMI from the Tourism Office and also a bus schedule.

The Nossa Senhora das Vitorias chapel is a picturesque point along the lake. When you reach the chapel, it is only a short time to reach the parking lot/regional road that the bus from Ponta Delgada took. Continue along the road (still going around the lake) on the grassy sidewalk.

Further on, the road will branch, the ramp to the right will have a sign “Lagoa Seca” and a wooden sign “Miradoura Lambos das Milhos”. Follow this road to go up to the viewpoint for Furnas village, which sits at the bottom of a caldeira. From the viewpoint, the paved road going downhill is the way to the village. It is steep and winding – be careful and watch out for cars coming from both directions. Once you reach the first houses, the road becomes less steep and eventually ends at a T-intersection. Turn left and then right and continue on. You will pass by the church and shortly, you will reach the bus stop where you got off from Ponta Delgada. There is a snack bar at the corner and as mentioned, the entrance to the Terra Nostra Park is around the corner.

Furnas Lagoon Video by Joao Correia at: https://youtu.be/_7mmE-7qzpM

CREDITS: Photo Public Domain