Janela do Inferno — circular route on the Island of São Miguel (PRC 37 SMI)

Shortly before/after the waterfall, the path is hardly/not at all passable due to a landslide.

Actually the tour is only about 7.8 km long but the GPS was a bit crazy and we walked 1-2 areas twice

First day on Sao Miguel. It turns out that there are places with identical names on the island. So we initially drove to the wrong starting point, about 40 minutes away. We also stumbled upon the description in the Rother guide and therefore didn't take the right turn at the beginning of the tour. However, we were able to find the right path relatively quickly. The highlight is definitely the Janela do Inferno valley with its diverse flora. The hike was the perfect start to the first day of vacation.

It took a few years longer than planned - a whole 10 - to go on holiday here, but now I'm on São Miguel in the Azores and today I did my first little round trip, which I found absolutely sensational. It started in Remédios. First on a small asphalt road out of the town and then very quickly on a dirt road into the countryside, between meadows and pastures. After a turnoff onto a footpath across a meadow, we crossed the first small, almost inconspicuous aqueduct and immediately after that we crossed a ditch covered in tropical vegetation on a staircase down the ditch and then directly back up again. Shortly afterwards came the Túnel do Pico da Cova, the first and longest tunnel. I had my headlamp with me so that wasn't a problem. At the end of the tunnel there was an unavoidable mud hole to prepare us for the fact that it is definitely wetter in the forest than on the dirt roads. 🤭 The paths through the forest were an absolute dream due to the completely overwhelming vegetation. Behind the tunnel there was a (muddy) forest path that soon led under an impressive aqueduct. Along this and then underpassing it again through a short tunnel, we went deeper and deeper into the almost magical green. Along the edge of an overgrown riverbed, through a small side underpass of another aqueduct and I was already standing at the window of hell. A rock wall completely covered in green, in the middle of which a waterfall springs from a large hole in the rock. Definitely worth seeing. Here you could cross the overgrown riverbed and go back on the other side. Now over the aqueduct, which you have previously passed under twice, further through the mystical-looking forest and through the last tunnel. This time made of brick and with dry ground and at the end it seemed as if the magical forest, the enchanted green, the magical world had spat you out and you were suddenly standing between green pastures and meadows again. We were soon back on a dirt road, cows munching on the grass and bright green hills rising up. There was no sign of the incredible forest just a few meters away. We headed back to Remèdios via a side road and a small trail. What a surprising, spectacular little tour. I'm so excited to see what awaits me here in the next few days. 🤩 And I'm already sure that I'll have to come back. 😁

Beautiful hike along 100 year old water pipes to the natural spring "Janela do Inferno". The hiking trail is well signposted, parking is free and after every bend in the route you will find a new, breathtaking piece of nature. This little hike is a must on any trip to San Miguel.

This is the PRC 37 SMI hiking trail, a really great circuit. A lamp makes the tunnels easier, but without it the ghost train feeling is stronger. 👻

Super great circular hike. On hot, sunny days you can experience for yourself how to get from dusty paths into a naturally air-conditioned world. In the crater it is shady, cool, pleasantly humid and the aqueducts are impressive. First the path leads through a tunnel, then over rocks and roots past wild ginger through the aqueducts - later, over it. The rustic valley is left again through dark tunnels. The path is not recommended during or immediately after rain. Too muddy, too narrow, too slippery... Simply: too dangerous. On dry days: perfect and simply impressive. With a light condition, a head for heights and sure-footedness, it is ideal for an excursion. There are enough parking spaces. If you want to continue to Lagoa do Fogo, you can also park here. Since recently, the only way to get there is by shuttle bus ;)

A very nice hike. The nature in this area is a dream. The path is very muddy after it rains.