Landscapes of The Azores

Landscapes of The Azores

- Photos from a trip to São Miguel in August / September, 2005

For Danish version of this page, please click HERE

Text and photos: Erik Pontoppidan, Copenhagen, Denmark

Copyright: Erik Pontoppidan





I have visited Madeira and The Canary Islands several times, but, until August 2005, never to the Azores. The photos below are from the biggest of the Azorean islands São Miguel in August/September 2005. Since I am an incarnated trekker, many of the photos are from my walks in the mountains.

Everybody has probably heard of the legendary high pressure of the Azores, which influences the weather of all Europe. However, this does not mean that the sky is blue all the time out there. During the summer months, the climate is reasonably stable (but don't count on it!), but the winter season is often rainy and windy. Besides, there is a big local climatic difference between the nine islands.

Are these islands worth visiting?

Definitely yes! So far, my experience only covers São Miguel, but my visit there has given me a big desire to know the other islands, which should all be different and unique, especially regarding the variety of landscapes. S. Miguel has mountains, crater lakes, plenty of pastures with grazing cows, and there are flowers everywhere, especially hortensia, which seems to surround every road and trail on the island. I hope that the photos below will reflect some of my enthusiasm.


Click on the photos for bigger size

1: Just before landing in Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores.
2-4: From the streets of Ponta Delgada.



1-4: From Ponta Delgada.



1-3: From Furnas, a mountain village in the eastern part of S. Miguel.

4: From Parque Terra Nostra, an incredible park in Furnas village. The idea of this park was created by the American business man Thomas Hickling (1745-1834), and the first trees and flowers were planted in the park at the end of the 18th. century.



1-2: From Parque Terra Nostra in Furnas village.
3: From Lagoa das Furnas, near Furnas village.

4: Fumaroles with boiling water and sulphur at Lagoa das Furnas. The whole Furnas village is built in the middle of a huge volcanic crater, and there are smoking fumaroles everywhere!



1-4: From my trek to Lagoa do Fogo in the central part of S. Miguel - a walk, which I can really recommend to trekkers.



1-2: From the banks of the lonely and desert lake Lagoa do Fogo in the central highlands of S. Miguel.

3-4: From the walk back from Lagoa do Fogo. Photo number 3 is a an irrigation canal in the highlands (levada) very similar to the levadas of Madeira.



1: One of the few good beaches you find on S. Miguel, close to hotel Bahia Palace, in the south-eastern part of the island.

2-3: The rocky coast of the eastern part of S. Miguel is an eldorado for nature lovers.

4: View from Lagoa Azul and the village Sete Cidades in the western part of S. Miguel.




The photos on this page are taken with a Canon G2 digital camera. In order to reduce the download time, the size and the data of the photos are strongly reduced compared to the originals, and this has inevitably reduced the technical quality, too. However, all photos may be delivered in full size and quality for use in books, magazines, papers, etc. The price is 70 Euro per picture.


You like Atlantic islands?

Click HERE to see my photo gallery from Tenerife.
Click HERE to see my photo gallery from Madeira Island.
Click HERE to read my article in English about Madeira Island.
Click HERE to see the main entrance to the English version of my home page, with exciting and interesting articles about travelling and trekking.