Lagoa do Fogo Trail from Pico do Carvão

The trail begins at the Miradouro do Pico do Carvão on the EN2 road, reached by car or organised tour from Ponta Delgada or Ribeira Grande; there is no scheduled bus to the trailhead and no permit is required. The out-and-back route covers 8 km with about 400 m of cumulative elevation gain, rated moderate, dropping steeply from the viewpoint through native scrub and low heather to the shore of Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake sitting at 575 m within the protected landscape surrounding Água de Pau volcano. The path is dirt and loose volcanic soil, becoming slippery when wet, with limited shade for most of the descent and no significant exposure beyond the initial steep switchbacks. Landmarks along the way include sweeping views over the lake basin from the rim, patches of relict native vegetation protected within the reserve, and the black-sand beach at the lake's edge, a common turn-around and rest point. Hikers wanting a shorter outing can descend partway to the first viewpoint below the rim and return without reaching the lakeshore. There are no refuge huts or water sources on the trail, so all water must be carried in. The return climb back to Pico do Carvão is the most strenuous section, gaining the full 400 m over a relatively short distance. Because it sits at altitude within São Miguel's central highlands, the trail is frequently affected by cloud and wind, and conditions at the lake can differ markedly from those at the trailhead.