Faial Island Trail.

THE ORIGINAL

8 Days - 130 km

Round Faial Island

The ultimative Mid-Atlantic Horse Trail.

Volcanic activity formed beautiful islands in the Atlantic and shaped stunning landscapes.

Faial Island's special nature delights visitors, especially on horseback. Explore beautiful landscapes and enjoy the friendly, laid-back lifestyle of the locals. Ride past hydrangea hedges and unusual volcanic terrains. Discover enchanting forests and charming villages near the Atlantic Ocean. Relax in natural lava-rock pools for a refreshing swim.

Faial Island Trail

Experience one of Europe's best horse trails on Faial Island. Ride your Lusitano horse through routes shaped by wine, whales, and volcanoes. Explore small vineyards and learn about Faial's wine. Gallop along the coast to discover whale viewing spots and lighthouses. During your free time, go on a Whale Watching Tour to see whales and dolphins (extra fee), or take a guided tour of Horta to see the sailing port and visit the massive “Caldeira of Faial” volcano (extra fee), or simply relax at PÁTIO Ecolodge. Ride through the stunning Azores landscape and see the Volcano of Capelinhos, which erupted in 1957. Enjoy thrilling rides through the jungle and Faial's mountains.

Arrival on Faial Island (Horta Airport) and transfer to PÁTIO Ecolodge.
First contact with the horses and briefing of the trail week. Get to know the group and the guide. Allocation of horses (depending on your arrival time might happen on the next morning). Dinner.
(20km, +800m, -700m, 4-5 h riding time)
Today, you'll embark on an exciting journey to learn about whales and their rich history on Faial Island. You'll familiarize yourself with your horse and gear as we set out on gently rising meadow paths. Before long, we’ll begin our first trot and canter, leading us to a breathtaking whale watching point. With a bit of luck and calm seas, we may spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
As we make our way back to the lodge along the majestic cliff coast, a lunch will be awaiting you. In the afternoon, we'll ride to two quaint whaling harbors before settling in for the night at a peaceful resting spot for our horses in a nearby hamlet.
After our adventure, we’ll return to the lodge where you can unwind with a drink at the bar and enjoy a delightful dinner in our restaurant.
(26km, +750m, -450m, 5 h riding time)
Today, you will discover the impact of the 1998 earthquake on Faial. In the morning, we’ll drive to the horses and start our ride along the coast, surrounded by stunning blue hydrangea hedges, leading us to the island's former lighthouse that was lost to the earthquake. Nearby, you can still see the crumbling church that stands as a testament to the earthquake's power.
At noon, we’ll enjoy a saddlebag picnic right by the seaside. Feel free to go for a swim or dip your toes in the water. After this refreshing break, we’ll continue our ride, taking in the breathtaking views of the sea and the neighboring islands of São Jorge, Pico, and Graciosa.
We’ll arrive at our paddock for the night. The transfer team will take you back to the Ecolodge, where you can unwind and relax by the pool. Dinner will be waiting for you, made with love and local ingredients.
(25 km, +400m, -650m, 6h riding time)
Today, we begin our adventure early by visiting one of the top highlights of the Azores: the Faial Crater - Caldeira. Perched at an elevation of 1,000 meters, this ride presents a true challenge for both horse and rider. We’ll follow winding paths as we gradually ascend to the summit of the island, offering breathtaking views of a crater that is 400 meters deep and 2,500 meters wide. After enjoying a delightful picnic from our saddlebag, we’ll continue our ride through the rugged and remote landscape of the highlands. In the late afternoon, we’ll approach the Jungle Camp, where a transfer to the lodge will be waiting for us. Dinner will follow, providing a perfect end to a day of exploration.
(15km, +500m, -550m, 3 h riding time)
This morning is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage in our spa, participate in a rejuvenating yoga session, or take a trip to Horta to meet a team of marine biologists. Together, you can board their powerful boats and venture into the ocean to observe whales (all activities are optional). Before your afternoon adventure, be sure to pick up your saddlebag picnic. In the afternoon, we will ride to the Green Hill (Cabeço Verde), a volcano where you can enjoy spectacular views. On the way back, you'll pass by the old vineyards of Faial. In the evening the dinner will wait for you.
(20km, +670m, -670m, 4-5 h riding time)
Today, the trail takes us through a mystical jungle landscape, where we revel in thrilling gallops along the coastline. Expansive vineyards and quaint “Adegas” dot our path. Following narrow trails near the shore, we arrive at one of the Azores' top highlights: the Capelinhos Volcano, which erupted in 1957. Here, we find a desolate former whaling village now covered in volcanic ash. Beneath the buried lighthouse lies a modern interpretation center that showcases the volcanism of the Azores and the story of the eruption. We’ll enjoy a saddlebag picnic while visiting this fascinating site. As we ride across parts of the volcano, we’ll make our way to the Jungle Camp in the late afternoon, where the transfer back to the lodge will be waiting. After a day full of adventure, we will gather for dinner.
(25km, +550m, -700m, 4-5 h riding time)
Today marks the final day of our trail. Fajã Bay, a hidden gem, has been home to islanders cultivating wine and fruits for 500 years. As we ride, we pass charming “Adegas,” the wine houses nestled among their vineyards.
Venturing through a lush jungle, we arrive at the stunning black lava beach of Fajã Bay—a magical and romantic realm all its own. Here, you'll find small lava stone houses, beautifully maintained gardens, and the untamed sea stretching before you.
Our journey crosses the island from the arid south to the vibrant north, offering breathtaking views of terraced pastures rolling down to the vivid blue ocean. Extend your gallop as we reach Ribeira Funda, the highest village on the island, perched above a dramatic 300-meter deep canyon. We’ll take a moment to bask in the sun, listen to the whispering wind, and enjoy the wild calls of the buzzards soaring over the gorge.
An Azorean picnic awaits, providing the perfect opportunity to savor the spectacular sights of the canyon and ocean. In the afternoon, our route meanders through yam fields and into a small, wild, and enchanting valley. After six incredible days of riding, we make our way back to PÁTIO Ecolodge.
We conclude this remarkable week with a dinner, reflecting on the adventures and memories we've shared along the trails.
We bring our guests who do not individually extend their stay with us to the Faial Airport or to the Ferry Port after their breakfast.

Horse-Trail without packing.

We love to concentrate us on the essential of a trail - You & the horse.

Riding a trail with us means that you’d don’t have to pack every day your luggage. You stay the whole week in your preferred PÁTIO Ecolodge accommodation. Whereas the horses stay on several overnight paddocks spread on the trail route.

You have the choice of 3 different kind of accommodation.

Prices

LS Double:* 1.965 € Single: +210 €
SS Double:* 2.315 € Single: +560 €
HS Double:* 2.435 € Single: +680 €
40 sqm detached panorama apartments, sea and island views (double/twin beds, shower room, mini-bar, kitchenette, living room, private terrace, free wifi)
LS Double:* 1.865 € Single: +100 €
SS Double:* 2.035 € Single: +280 €
HS Double:* 2.165 € Single: +430 €
20 sqm room, sea and island view (double/twin, shower room, minibar, free wifi)
LS Double:* 1.835 € Single: +90 €
SS Double:* 1.965 € Single: +280 €
HS Double:* 2.095 € Single: +350 €
18 sqm tiny house, sea view (1 queen size alcove bed, shower room, mini-bar, kitchenette, free wifi)

* LS Low Season: Jan-Mar & Nov-Dec | SS Shoulder Season: Apr-May & Oct | HS High Season: Jun-Sep

!!! Every day departure (daily guest arrival possible) !!!

Faial Island Package:

INCLUDING:

Daily individual trail briefing
choose between meat, fish, vegetarian food
Entry to the Capelinhos Interpretation Center
Incoming/Outgoing transfer
All transfers according to the program
6 riding days with qualified English-speaking guide
Friendly, persistent and sure-footed Lusitano or Cruzado Portuguese horses
Special trail equipment (Prestige Trekker saddles)
7x overnight stays (according to chosen option), lounge, garden, free WiFi, pool and sauna
7x breakfast, 4x saddlebag picnic, 1x lunch, 1x Azores Picnic, 7x dinner without drinks

NON INCLUDING:

Whale watching or any other additional activities not mentioned as included
Drinks and meals, unless otherwise mentioned in the program
Tips (recommendation / week: €30 trail guide and €20 lodge team)
Other personal expenses
Travel insurance

Qualifications of the rider:
Able to ride the 3 gaits in the open field up to 4-6 hours. Light trot, easy seat in canter, sporty. Rider weight max. 95 kg. We expect support from our trail guests with the care of the horses, saddling and grooming as well as tidying up and cleaning their personal trail equipment. We recommend bringing the following equipment: waterproof trekking shoes, raincoat or jacket and pants, riding cap. Riding equipment up to 10 kg is transported as free baggage with Azores Airlines!

What else to know:

Accommodation.

Double room sharing and participation of non-riders :
Double or twin rooms / apartments / tiny house / holiday house are only available for guests traveling and booking together. Minimum occupancy of the Holiday House is 1, maximum 6. We do not offer ½ occupancy for single traveller looking for a roommate. Tiny houses are only suitable for single or couples due to the queen-size bed.

The trip is suitable for accompanying non-riders. In this case, we will charge the proportional accommodation and services used by the non-rider.

Minimum age.

16 years old. (Below 16 after individual consultation)

Our Partner.

Horseback tours are conducted by Diogo Silva - Equestrian Adventures. PÁTIO acts solely as an intermediary for this offer.

Important note.

All information about the trail are guidelines. Diogo Silva Equestrian Adventures reserve the right to make occasional changes to ensure the flow of a high-quality riding holiday. Depending on the season, weather, national holidays, local activities and possibly simultaneous trails, there may be short-term deviations in the schedule. This can include the number of riding lessons / day, the route to a location or alternative accommodation. Our trails can be ridden in both directions. Depending on the starting date, the start can be in different places. All changes are up to their discretion. If there are changes, they guarantee compliance with their high quality standards.

Horse-Trail Guides.

The horse trail guides are dedicated and experienced. They speak English and mostly a second or third language. As trained riders and guides, they have extensive knowledge of nature, history and island life. Safety is the top priority for you and them.

Ecolodge Apartment