moderate
8 hours
Participants should have basic physical fitness to handle long-duration riding and off-road conditions.
Take on an 8-hour quad bike journey through the Sete Cidades volcanic caldera near Ponta Delgada, Azores. Rugged trails, sweeping crater views, and a local lunch combine for a unique off-road experience.
Ponta Delgada, the largest city on São Miguel Island, serves as the gateway to some of the Azores’ most dramatic landscapes. Just west of the city lies Sete Cidades, a volcanic caldera renowned for its twin lakes—one vibrant blue, the other a deep green—framed by towering crater walls. ANC offers an 8-hour off-road quad tour through this breathtaking terrain, combining rugged adrenaline rushes with moments to appreciate the area’s unique geological and natural wonders.
This excursion ventures beyond the typical tourist paths, guiding riders along remote trails carved into volcanic rock and verdant hillsides. The trail skirts the caldera rim, delivering panoramic vistas of the crater lakes below and the Atlantic Ocean stretching into the horizon. Verdant vegetation—a mix of endemic shrubs and Azorean laurel trees—adds bursts of green to the volcanic landscape. With a local guide leading the way, participants gain insights into the region’s volcanic origins and the human history shaped by this landscape.
The trip includes a hearty lunch, offering a chance to recharge amid stunning scenery. ANC’s hands-on approach ensures riders of varying experience levels receive safety briefings and trail support, making this adventure accessible without sacrificing excitement.
Sete Cidades stands out within the Azores’ outdoor scene due to its striking contrast of volcanic features and lush ecosystems, creating a playground for off-road enthusiasts. ANC’s quad tour captures this diversity with an engaging format that blends thrills, nature, and culture. Whether you’re craving wide-open spaces or a deeper connection to one of Portugal’s most iconic volcanic regions, this excursion delivers an authentic, high-energy way to experience the Azores from the seat of a quad bike.
Sturdy footwear protects your feet during uneven, rocky off-road riding.
Sun can be strong on open trails, even when temperatures are mild.
Understanding quad operation and trail hazards is key for a secure ride.
Stay hydrated during the active 8-hour tour under Ponta Delgada’s variable weather.
Sete Cidades is a volcanic complex formed roughly 22,000 years ago; local legend attributes the two lakes to the tears of a forbidden love couple.
The area is part of São Miguel’s protected natural landscape with efforts to limit trail erosion and preserve native flora.
Protect feet on rocky and uneven quad trails.
Prevent sunburn and reduce glare during open trail stretches.
summer specific
Stay hydrated throughout the full-day ride.
Helpful for sudden showers and wind along the caldera rim.
spring|fall|winter specific