Vista do Rei, Pico do Faial and Blue Lagoon

This easy walk explores one of São Miguel’s most famous volcanic landscapes, linking the classic caldera panorama at Miradouro da Vista do Rei with the rim around Pico do Faial and the shores of Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon) in the Sete Cidades basin. Expect roughly 8 km / 5 miles with very little overall climbing—about 0 m / 0 ft of net elevation gain, though there are still a few gentle undulations on the crater rim and on the descent toward the lake. The route is best suited to hikers who want big scenery without a strenuous effort, but the exposed rim, changing weather, and cliff-edge viewpoints still demand care. (parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt)

The walk begins near Miradouro da Vista do Rei, EN9-1A, Sete Cidades, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, the well-known viewpoint above the twin lakes. This is the nearest clear landmark and practical start point for planning, parking, and navigation. The official trail information places the start at Vista do Rei and follows the western side of the Sete Cidades ridge before descending toward the village and lake area. (viewpoints.azores.gov.pt)

Right from the start, the defining feature is the immense Sete Cidades caldera, with Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul spread across the crater floor. The viewpoint is one of the iconic panoramas of the Azores, and the route keeps that sense of scale for much of the walk. On one side you look inward across the volcanic basin, and on the other side outward toward the west and northwest coast of São Miguel, including settlements such as Ginetes, Várzea, and Mosteiros on clear days. (viewpoints.azores.gov.pt)

What the route feels like

From Vista do Rei, the path typically follows a broad dirt track along the southwest/western rim of the Sete Cidades crater. Underfoot, this is generally straightforward compared with steeper mountain trails, making the route approachable for casual walkers and families with decent fitness. Even so, the surface can become muddy and slick after rain, and low cloud can reduce visibility quickly on the rim. Because the route sits high and open, wind can be surprisingly strong even when conditions seem calm lower down in the village. (parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt)

As you move along the ridge near Pico do Faial, the scenery alternates between crater views and ocean-facing outlooks. This section is less about constant climbing and more about sustained exposure to open terrain. Hikers should be prepared for little shade, damp grass at the trail edges, and occasional narrow sections where it is wise to keep well back from steeper slopes, especially in mist. If using navigation, rely on HiiKER and still pay attention to local trail markers and weather changes.

The latter part of the walk trends down toward the Blue Lagoon / Lagoa Azul side of Sete Cidades. Here the atmosphere changes from airy rim walking to a calmer lakeside setting, with the volcanic walls rising around the basin. The lake margin and village surroundings offer a gentler finish and a good place to pause, refill at local services if open, and look back up at the rim you have just crossed. The official trail description notes the descent into the parish interior and the approach to Lagoa Azul. (visitazores.com)

Landmarks, geology, and historical context

The entire area sits within the Protected Landscape Area of Sete Cidades and is part of a volcanic complex that dominates western São Miguel. The caldera is the product of ancient volcanic activity, and the lakes occupy the floor of that collapsed volcanic basin. Along the route, you may also see references to nearby features such as Caldeira Seca and Caldeira do Alferes, both part of the broader crater landscape visible from the rim. (parquesnaturais.azores.gov.pt)

Vista do Rei itself has historical significance beyond the scenery. Its name is tied to a visit by the King of Portugal, D. Carlos I, and Queen D. Amélia in 1901, which is the origin of the “King’s View” name used today. That royal association helped cement the viewpoint’s status as one of the emblematic overlooks on São Miguel. (visitazores.com)

The lakes are also wrapped in local legend. Sete Cidades is famous for the story explaining the contrasting blue and green waters, though in practical terms the color difference is associated with light, depth, and surrounding conditions rather than separate bodies of water with radically different compositions. The