Santa Maria Azores
Refuge-to-refuge trekking around Santa Maria (Azores) | 5 stages | 70 km total | Difficulty: ▲▲△△△
Santa Maria Azores
Santa Maria Azores
70 km | 5-day trekking
from refuge to refuge 
↔
4 nights in shared dormitory spaces
3 hotel nights
5 stages of 14~22 km per day
OPTIONAL:
luggage transfers
dinners and breakfasts at the refuge
bookable: April 1 ▸ October 31
total route: 69.5 km
total elevation gain: △ 2,416 m
total elevation loss: ▽ 2,411 m
Personalized app 
Offline GPS navigation
Relevant information
5 stages around Santa Maria island
8-day trip duration
4 nights in shared ecological refuges
luggage transfers (optional)
Marked trails + GPX directions
in 2 charming small hotels:
◇ SÃO MIGUEL (Ponta Delgada)
Hotel Alcides ****
◆ SANTA MARIA (Vila do Porto)
Hotel Charming Blue ****
accommodations
charming small hotels and unique accommodations located in strategic enclaves, with breakfast included
inter-island flights
Air connection between the 2 Azores islands: São Miguel and Santa Maria - 30 minutes duration
refuges
4 nights in ecological mountain refuges - shared dormitories of up to 6 hikers
5 stages
of approximately 14~22 km each, hiking from refuge to refuge around Santa Maria island
ITINERARY | ACCOMMODATIONS AND REFUGES:
Day 1 – Arrival in SÃO MIGUEL
Day 2 – SANTA MARIA | Vila do Porto ▸ Malbusca
Day 3 – SANTA MARIA | Malbusca ▸ Lapa
Day 4 – SANTA MARIA | Lapa ▸ Norte
Day 5 – SANTA MARIA | Norte ▸ Raposo
Day 6 – SANTA MARIA | Raposo ▸ Vila do Porto
Day 7 – SANTA MARIA ▸ SÃO MIGUEL
Day 8 – Departure from SÃO MIGUEL
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
The GR 1 of Santa Maria in the Azores is a moderately difficult route, suitable for you if you have acceptable physical fitness; if you can walk distances of up to 20 km daily without excessive elevation changes and have no health problems; if you know how to manage accumulated effort over several trekking days. The terrain is not technical but the Azores climate is changeable and some sections have little signage. If you love nature, are respectful of the environment, and regularly practice hiking, this route is for you.
See more details at:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival in Ponta Delgada | SÃO MIGUEL
Airport pickup and transfer to hotel in Ponta Delgada – São Miguel.
Video call to explain all program details.
…and first thing the next day, flight to Santa Maria.
+ Hotel Alcides (Ponta Delgada)
DAY 2
to SANTA MARIA | Vila do Porto ▸ Malbusca
Airport pickup and transfer to the starting point in Vila do Porto (Forte de São Brás, 5 minutes from the airport).
The first day starts with an easy opening stage that runs through rural roads and the south coast, with the first volcanic cliffs as the main attractions. The landscape combines open countryside, coast and Atlantic vegetation in a practically uncrowded environment.
The Malbusca refuge is located 400 meters off the trail, on top of a hill. Don’t miss the sunset over the sea — one of the most spectacular of the entire route.
12.2 km ↗ 612 m ↘ 428 m
Malbusca Refuge (Santa Maria)
DAY 3
SANTA MARIA | Malbusca ▸ Lapa
The second stage leaves the coast to venture into the rural heart of the island. The trail runs through quiet paths between green and agricultural areas, with a more inland character and a sense of complete isolation.
The landscape gradually changes: cultivated fields, Atlantic forests and meadows succeed each other in an environment of absolute calm, far from mass tourism.
The Lapa Refuge is located right next to the trail, in a beautiful protected valley surrounded by fields and forests. For one night, you’ll forget that you’re on an island.
The most relaxed stage of the route — ideal for regaining strength and preparing for the more demanding sections.
12.8 km ↗ 689 m ↘ 676 m
Lapa Refuge (Santa Maria)
DAY 4
SANTA MARIA | Lapa ▸ Norte
The third stage is the longest and most varied of the route. The terrain becomes more demanding, with moderate climbs and a gradual return to the coast, offering some of the most open views of the ocean of the entire journey.
During the journey it is possible to see the island of São Miguel in the distance and, with good visibility, locate the Formigas islets, located between Santa Maria and São Miguel and marked by a lighthouse.
The Norte Refuge is located just 50 meters from the trail, facing Casa do Norte, with clear views of the ocean. Only the gentle mooing of cows could disturb this place of absolute calm. The refuge has binoculars available.
14.4 km ↗ 555 m ↘ 585 m
Norte Refuge (Santa Maria)
DAY 5
SANTA MARIA | Norte ▸ Raposo
The fourth stage is the most wild and spectacular of the route. The terrain becomes more dramatic, with descents to the sea, volcanic zones and an untamed coast that surprises at every bend of the trail.
The path runs between hidden bays and volcanic formations, with possible swimming areas at the most accessible points on the coast.
The Raposo Refuge takes its name from the nearby bay and is one of the most magical places on the entire route. From June onwards, at night you can hear the eerie sound of Cory’s Shearwaters — sometimes they fly by at high speed near the windows. An experience you’ll never forget.
8.7 km ↗ 265 m ↘ 337 m
Raposo Refuge (Santa Maria)
DAY 6
SANTA MARIA | Raposo ▸ Vila do Porto
The final stage closes the circle. The last section is the most accessible of the route, with a gradual return to civilization that allows you to enjoy the landscape with the satisfaction of having completed the 70 km route around Santa Maria.
The trail leads back to Vila do Porto, the starting and ending point of this circular route, passing through coastal and rural areas that sum up everything experienced during the previous days.
Upon arrival, one last night in a hotel to celebrate the completion of the route. Congratulations! 🎉 A good dinner at a local restaurant is the perfect finale to this adventure.
21.4 km ↗ 295 m ↘ 385 m
+ Hotel Charming Blue (Vila do Porto)
DAY 7
to SÃO MIGUEL
Transfer to Santa Maria Airport first thing in the morning to return to the neighboring island of São Miguel and enjoy your last day in the Azores before heading home.
This way you’ll have plenty of time to stroll through the historic center of Ponta Delgada, visit its architectural and cultural side or do your last-minute shopping before your return trip.
+ Hotel Alcides (Ponta Delgada)
DAY 8
- transfer to Ponta Delgada airport.
Trip highlights:
2 lush islands: São Miguel and Santa Maria
Routes through the most picturesque settings
Charming accommodations – genuine atmosphere
Circling Santa Maria in the Azores along the GR 1
Santa Maria island, in the Azores archipelago, unfolds like an emerald treasure in the vast Atlantic Ocean. From a distance, its soft, undulating hills are sketched like brushstrokes of intense green on the deep blue canvas of the sea. As you approach, you can perceive the serene murmur of waves caressing the coasts of golden sand, while seagulls describe graceful circles in the clear sky.
The land, fertile and generous, is adorned with vineyards and cultivated fields that stretch like a delicate tapestry. In spring, wildflowers dot the meadows with a symphony of vibrant colors, and the aromas of vegetation blend with the sea breeze, creating a natural and intoxicating perfume.Small villages of white houses with red tile roofs nestle between hills and valleys, as if they were jewels scattered by a careful craftsman. Cobbled streets wind between the buildings, leading visitors to discover welcoming squares and corners full of history and tradition. In the center of these towns, ancient churches stand with quiet dignity, their bell towers echoing with the echo of times past.
In the heart of Santa Maria, the landscape becomes more dramatic and mysterious. Mountains rise majestically, clothed in lush forests where the trails of the GR1SMA invite adventurers to lose themselves in nature for 5 days. Waterfalls fall in curtains of crystal, feeding streams that whisper ancient stories to those who stop to listen.Nights in the refuges have a magic of their own. Under a sky full of stars, silence becomes palpable, broken only by the distant song of Cory’s Shearwaters or the whisper of wind through the trees. It is a place where time seems to stand still, where the soul can find profound and renewing peace.
The GR 1 of Santa Maria is not just a route; it is a living poem, an ode to natural beauty and serenity, a corner of the world where each sunrise from the cliffs and each sunset from the refuges paint a unique and fleeting picture on the horizon of the soul.
Santa Maria island (Azores) is a poem made into an island, a masterpiece of creation where every element, from the smallest flower to the imposing volcanic cliff, contributes to a perfect harmony. It is an island where the traveler will find beauty at every turn of the trail, a refuge for the soul and a feast for the senses.
Canary Islands: other similar programs
8 days - INDEPENDENT hiking trip
self-guided ► hotel + breakfast included
self-guided ► hotel + breakfast included
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Pictures from the 6 tours
Day 1
Arrival in Ponta Delgada | SÃO MIGUEL
Airport pickup and transfer to hotel in Ponta Delgada - São Miguel.
Informative video call to explain all program details.
...and first thing the next day, flight to Santa Maria.
Day 2
to SANTA MARIA | Vila do Porto ▸ Malbusca
Airport pickup and transfer to the starting point in Vila do Porto (Forte de São Brás, 5 minutes from the airport). ↔ 12.2 km ↗ 612 m ↘ 428 m
Malbusca Refuge (Santa Maria)
Day 3
SANTA MARIA | Malbusca ▸ Lapa
The second stage leaves the coast to venture into the rural heart of the island. The trail runs through quiet paths between green and agricultural areas, with a more inland character and a sense of complete isolation. ↔ 12.8 km ↗ 689 m ↘ 676 m
Lapa Refuge (Santa Maria)
Day 4
SANTA MARIA | Lapa ▸Norte
The third stage is the longest and most varied of the route. The terrain becomes more demanding, with moderate climbs and a gradual return to the coast, offering some of the most open views of the ocean of the entire journey. ↔ 14.4 km ↗ 555 m ↘ 585 m
Norte Refuge (Santa Maria)
Day 5
SANTA MARIA | Norte ▸ Raposo
The fourth stage is the most wild and spectacular of the route. The terrain becomes more dramatic, with descents to the sea, volcanic zones and an untamed coast that surprises at every bend of the trail. ↔ 8.7 km ↗ 265 m ↘ 337 m
Raposo Refuge (Santa Maria)
Day 6
SANTA MARIA | Raposo ▸ Vila do Porto
The final stage closes the circle. The last section is the most accessible of the route, with a gradual return to civilization that allows you to enjoy the landscape with the satisfaction of having completed the 70 km of the Santa Maria grand route. ↔ 21.4 km ↗ 295 m ↘ 385 m
Day 7
to SÃO MIGUEL
Transfer to Santa Maria Airport first thing in the morning to return to the neighboring island of São Miguel and enjoy your last day in the Azores before heading home.Day 8
- transfer to Ponta Delgada airport.
TOUR LOCATION
Discover the island of Santa Maria, in the Azores.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Subject to availability:
PONTA DELGADA ▸ Hotel Alcides (or similar)
SANTA MARIA ▸ Mountain refuge in Malbusca
- Shared mountain refuge with 4 beds and 1 double bed
- Drinking water
- Hot shower (solar or wood-heated)
- Basic kitchen
- Basic electricity (USB)
- Wood stove
⚠️ No blankets provided — sleeping bag required.
SANTA MARIA ▸ Mountain refuge in Lapa
- Shared mountain refuge with 4 beds and 1 double bed
- Drinking water
- Hot shower (solar or wood-heated)
- Basic kitchen
- Basic electricity (USB)
- Wood stove
⚠️ No blankets provided — sleeping bag required.
SANTA MARIA ▸ Norte Mountain Refuge
- Shared mountain refuge with 4 beds and 1 double bed
- Drinking water
- Hot shower (solar or wood-heated)
- Basic kitchen
- Basic electricity (USB)
- Wood stove
⚠️ No blankets provided — sleeping bag required.
SANTA MARIA▸ Mountain refuge in Raposo
- Shared mountain refuge with 4 beds and 1 double bed
- Drinking water
- Hot shower (solar or wood-heated)
- Basic kitchen
- Basic electricity (USB)
- Wood stove
⚠️ No blankets provided — sleeping bag required.
SANTA MARIA ▸ Hotel Charming Blue (or similar)
PONTA DELGADA ▸ Hotel Alcides (or similar)
Additional nights
It is also possible to book additional nights before or after the trekking week, or extra days to relax in Santa Maria.
Difficulty level
To successfully complete the 5 stages of the GR1 in Santa Maria, you need to have adequate physical fitness. The route is not technical but accumulates 70 km in 5 days with long distances and changing weather. Depending on the time of year, temperatures can vary considerably. The use of trekking poles is highly recommended.
Trails
The GR1 of Santa Maria is the longest hiking trail on this island, with 70 km total in a circular route. The trails are homologated according to European standards, although some sections have little signage — it is recommended to carry offline maps.
We recommend
Proper hiking clothing and trekking boots. Sleeping bag (optionally it is possible to obtain one in Santa Maria). 45–55L backpack, waterproof, headlamp and trekking poles. In summer, swimsuit highly recommended. If you don't want to book the breakfast and dinner option, you should consider bringing food for the day, energy snacks and external battery.
Luggage transfer
Optionally we take care of transferring your luggage from one refuge to the next (maximum 8 kg per person), so during the stages you only have to carry a backpack with essentials for the day. Before starting the itinerary, you can leave your extra luggage at the Vila do Porto accommodation, where you will spend your last night on Santa Maria island.
Only bookable from April 1 to October 31!
Flights from anywhere in Spain
Other options to consider
Portuguese TAP also connects MADRID, BARCELONA and other Spanish cities with SANTA MARIA via Lisbon. Direct flight from Lisbon on Thursdays and Sundays. It's worth comparing prices and analyzing all options 😉
Alberto
Organization manager
Do you have any questions? I'm at your disposal and will be happy to answer any questions!
Plan ahead !! ...and get a 6% discount for travel bookings between September 15 and June 15 made with 4 months advance notice.
PRICES:
1st OPTION: Accommodation only
(NOT bookable between November and March)
(2 people) ............. 795 € ▸ 747 € per person
3 x hotel ▸ +
4 x refuges ▸ 
Solo Traveller (1 traveler): ............. 1250 € ▸ 1175 €
3 x hotel ▸ +
4 x refuges ▸
2nd OPTION: Accommodations + breakfasts and dinners (*) in shared refuges (*) hotel nights do not include dinners
(2 people) ............. 905 € ▸ 850 € per person
3 x hotel ▸ +
4 x refuges ▸ + + 
Solo Traveller (1 traveler): ............. 1360 € ▸ 1278 €
3 x hotel ▸ +
4 x refuges ▸ + +
3rd OPTION: Accommodations + breakfasts and dinners (*) + towels and sleeping bag + luggage transfer (*) hotel nights do not include dinners
(2 people) ............. 995 € ▸ 935 € per person
3 x hotel ▸ +
4 x refuges ▸ + + + + 
Solo Traveller (1 traveler): ............. 1450 € ▸ 1363 €
3 x hotel ▸ +
4 x refuges + + + +
◆ Optional Service
Local flights between São Miguel and Santa Maria ........ 150 € per person | round trip
What does this package include?
Accommodations - 3 hotel nights with breakfast + 4 nights in shared hostels.
Information - personalized information by video conference (if desired), on your arrival day
Descriptions and GPS Tracks - access to our App for GPS navigation on your mobile device, in offline mode.
24h Support and Help - we stay in permanent contact throughout your trip to resolve any questions or problems
What's NOT included?
Dinners on the 3 hotel nights ❌
International flights ❌
Local flights between São Miguel and Santa Maria (optional)
breakfasts and dinners in the refuges (optional)
Luggage transfer - max. 8 kg per person (optional)
Sleeping bag and towels (optional)
Cancellation Policy
call us at +34 922 433 001
