Portugal trip: Four road bike gates in the Azores - Dream tours in the Atlantic: Azores island of São Miguel

The Azores, islands of volcanic origin, lie in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately at the same latitude as Lisbon; the distance from the largest Azorean island of São Miguel to the Portuguese capital is 1,350 kilometres. The island of Pico is home to the highest peak in Portugal (2,351 metres). The archipelago has 250,000 inhabitants, belongs politically to Portugal, but has had the status of an autonomous region with its own parliament since 1976. Our four routes all lead across São Miguel (64 km long, 16 km wide, 140,000 inhabitants), past crater lakes, hot springs and lush green mountain meadows, always garnished with fantastic views of the Atlantic. There are very few beaches, especially in the capital Ponta Delgada. The promenade there is rather spoilt by construction sins, but the lively old town is pretty and its trendy bars are very busy. The best restaurants are also located in the historic centre.

The highest point on São Miguel is the Pico da Vara (1,105 metres). By bike, Tour 3 climbs to almost exactly 900 metres at Lagoa do Fogo, Tour 1 leads below Pico do Carvão to 750 metres. However, because the coastal road often winds its way up from the sea to an altitude of 300 to 400 metres, especially in the east of the island, you gain plenty of metres in altitude. The climbs from the two crater lakes at Sete Cidades up to Pico do Carvão and Vista do Rei as well as the ascent to Lagoa do Fogo (from both sides) are pretty tough. The road surface is mostly good, but sometimes quite rough in the east. It is lonely in the mountains (apart from the tourists in the high season) and there is not too much traffic on the coastal roads either, since the motorway connects most of the larger towns and cities. If you set off on tours in the interior of the island other than those recommended, you can expect to rumble for kilometres over cobblestones.

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