Waterfalls of Sao Miguel: 10+ Must-See ‘Cascatas’ in the Azores
SAO MIGUEL WATERFALLS: THE AZORES ‘CASCATAS’
You’ll find a variety of waterfalls in the Azores Islands, which are part of Portugal. On the largest island in the chain, Sao Miguel, waterfalls are easy to find, and mostly free and accessible to the public at all times.
When you’re in the Azores looking at maps, remember: “Cascata” means waterfall, so you’ll often see “cascata” preceding the waterfalls I talk about down below.
Renting a car is the best way to visit the Azores waterfalls!
The easiest way to visit the Sao Miguel waterfalls of your choice is to rent a car in Ponta Delgada. Driving in the Azores is easy and enjoyable. It’s largely without hassles, though fog and farm life can sometimes slow you down!
You’ll find rates for rental cars in the Azores to be pretty reasonable (at PDL Airport).
I usually use Discover Cars when I book rental cars, because they include the local Azorean agencies in addition to the big international car rental brands.
Azores Waterfalls Tours
If you’d rather not deal with renting a car in the Azores, or would just rather have someone else handle the planning and navigating, these waterfall tour options from Ponta Delgada are all highly recommended:
➡️ Click to Book: Sao Miguel Waterfall Hike
- Hotel pickup, and full-day tour with guide.
➡️ Click to Book: Canyoneering on Sao Miguel
- Descend down the waterfalls!
➡️ Click to Book: Azores Canyoneering
- Another option with training and a guide.
➡️ Click to Book: Salto do Prego Waterfall
- Hike to Salto do Prego with a guide.
OK! Let’s get to the list of Waterfalls on Sao Miguel!
Salto do Prego
The Salto do Prego trail is in the eastern part of Sao Miguel Island, near the village of Faial da Terra.
The hike is less than 4-miles, and considered “moderate,” in terms of difficulty.
As you walk through the valley, you’ll be surrounded by lush green landscapes, meandering streams, and wooden bridges.
The endpoint of the trail is the magnificent Salto do Prego waterfall. Salto do Prego means “the waterfall of the spring” in Portuguese. It’s a fitting name, since the waterfall is fed by a natural spring.
The waterfall cascades down into a refreshing natural pool. It’s a nice spot to cool off in on warm days.
Salto do Cagarrao
Salto do Cagarrao is another nice waterfall hike on Sao Miguel. It’s on the southeastern corner of the island, near Salto do Prego.
For years, a big old tree has been lodged in the middle of the waterfall. Still, there’s a nice pool at the base to cool off in, if you feel like a swim.
In fact, you can hit both on the same hike, if you have a few hours. Head to Salto do Prego first, and keep walking down the trail until you arrive at Salto do Cagarrao (which is named after a large seabird).
If you only want to see Salto do Cagarrao, consider parking at the Faial da Terra trailhead (on Google Maps).
Salto do Cabrito
The name “Salto do Cabrito” translates to “Waterfall of the Goat” in Portuguese.
Local lore says the waterfall got its name from the agile goats that used to roam the area.
Salto do Cabrito is also a popular spot for canyoneering! There are a few tour options, and this one gets excellent reviews:
➡️ Click to Book: Canyoneering at Salto do Cabrito
The hike to the Salto do Cabrito waterfall is about one mile (round-trip), and you have two parking options.
Most people park in the lot above the trail, then take a steep walk down a narrow road.
If you’d rather avoid a steep hike out, you can drive down the road and park at the bottom. Just beware: the road is single-lane, and full of potholes.
From the lower parking lot area, you’ll pass a natural spring and quickly arrive at a hydroelectric power plant.
Follow signs for “Salto do Cabrito,” and you’ll find the waterfall around the corner.
The waterfall itself is narrow, but pretty tall, with a few cascades off the cliffs above.
The waterfall at Salto do Cabrito creates a nice swimming hole at the base.
Chances are, on a visit to Salto do Cabrito, you’ll see a canyoneering tour coming down the rocks of the waterfall. They’ll use ropes to lower themselves down to a platform above the pool, and then dive in.
The natural pool is refreshing, and cool even during the warm summer months.
Salto do Cabrito is a popular spot for picnic lunches, since it’s accessible and surrounded by rocks to lounge on.
Caldeira Velha
You’ll find a unique and beautiful waterfall in Caldeira Velha, which is a lush region of Sao Miguel Island, not far from the town of Ribeira Grande.
➡️ TOUR OPTION: Caldeira Velha
To visit the waterfall here, you’ll have to schedule a visit to Caldeira Velha Natural Monument.
It’s a geothermal park, featuring hot springs and thermal pools with naturally-heated water. You’ll see bubbling mud and other springs which are too hot to enter.
The hot springs can become a crowded, communal bathing experience, featuring 99 degree (Fahrenheit) water.
If you walk farther down the trail beyond the hot spring pools, you’ll find the prettiest site at Caldeira Velha: a natural waterfall with a swimming pool at its base.
The water is only about three feet deep, and murky, but still a nice spot to check out. Plus, it’s far-less crowded than the hot spring pools.
The water in waterfall pool is around 24 degrees Celcius (mid-70s Fahrenheit).
This Sao Miguel waterfall is unique, in that it comes with amenities. They include a large parking lot and a food truck often stationed outside.
You can also store your things in lockers, and shower before leaving.
The park is also home to a small museum, which explains the geothermal properties of the Azores Islands.
KEY INFO: You have to book a timed-entrance to Caldeira Velha the day before your visit, if you want to swim in the waterfall or hot springs pools.
If you just want to walk the paved trail and don’t care to get wet, you can book your entry day-of (usually) at a reduced price.
Caldeira Velha Waterfall:
- Adults: 10 Euros
- Seniors: 5 Euros
- Kids 7-14: 5 Euros
- Resident of the Azores: FREE
- Park admission (no swimming): 3 Euros
Ribeira dos Caldeiroes
Ribeira dos Caldeiroes is a beautiful natural area on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores, Portugal, known for its picturesque waterfalls and lush green surroundings.
➡️ TOUR OPTION: Ribeira dos Caldeiroes
➡️ TOUR OPTION: Canyoneering at Ribeira dos Caldeiroes
Ribeira dos Caldeiroes is a natural park located in the northeastern part of São Miguel Island, near the town of Nordeste.
There’s no fee to enter, and there are no gates or restrictions to access the main waterfall. It’s easily accessible by car, and there are signs directing visitors to the area.
The park is famous for a series of cascading waterfalls formed by the Ribeira dos Caldeirões stream as it flows through the rugged terrain. One is right off the road. Another is down a set of stairs in a valley. The third requires a bit of a hike.
Honestly, the main waterfall (right alongside the road) is the prettiest in this spot, and one of the most beautiful of all of the Azores waterfalls.
Behind it, you’ll find a path to the right which leads to a more secluded series of waterfalls.
After passing a rocky gorge, you’ll see the waterfall ahead, and its swimming hole, surrounded by lush green vegetation and tall trees.
The hike is less than half-a-mile, but chances are: you’ll be the only one there.
The third waterfall is inside a gated area. It’s more manufactured, but still pretty, and a good spot for families to picnic.
In addition to the waterfalls, Ribeira dos Caldeirões is home to an old watermill, known as Moinhos de Água. These traditional watermills, once used for grinding grains, have been restored and can be visited, offering insight into the island’s rural past.
Ribeira Quente
Ribeira Quente is a charming village located on the southern coast of Sao Miguel, which is home to another beautiful Azores waterfall.
There are two tunnels on the road north of Ribeira Quente (EN2-2A).
Access to the path leading to the waterfall is halfway through the tunnel. After you find parking, be careful navigating your way through the tunnel to the trail entrance.
The walk to the waterfall is pretty, but brief. It’ll only take a few minutes.
Grena Park Waterfalls
Grena Park has changed hands, between public and private ownerships, since the 1800s. In 2019, it reopened to the public, and is a nice place to check out the hiking trails which go by a series of four waterfalls.
People give it high marks in terms of reviews, but we didn’t have time to make it there. Next trip!
The entrance fee to Grena Park is 10 Euros. The park is open 9:30am to 6:30pm in the summer months.
Cascata do Sagredo
Another waterfall we’re saving for the next trip is on the southern coast of Sao Miguel. Cascata do Sagredo can slow to more of a trickle if it’s been dry. Otherwise, people liken it to a natural shower, with a coldwater pool at the bottom.
It’s free and open to the public, just west of the town of Vila Franca do Campo.
Muro das Nove Janelas
This doesn’t count as one of the Sao Miguel waterfalls, but the Muro das Nove Janelas is an ancient aqueduct which spans a rapidly-flowing creek below. It translates to “wall with nine windows.”
I’m adding it to the list of Azores waterfalls, since it’s part of an ancient system that’s been used for hundreds of years to carry water down from the mountains!
A king ordered an aqueduct system to be built in the 1500s, and this is part of it. It’s a beautiful, mossy-covered piece of history to check out if you’re around the volcanic lakes on the western side of the island.
Sao Miguel’s Hot Springs
Rather than waterfalls, Sao Miguel Island may be better known for the variety of natural hot springs you can visit. They range from crowded and touristy, to more peaceful and relaxing.
Azores Waterfalls: the Other Islands
Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Azores, but several of the other islands also have waterfalls to check out:
Santa Maria:
- On Santa Maria, check out Aveira do Cascade, on the southeastern edge of the island, and also Cascata Cai-Agua, which is near the town of Santa Barbara.
Sao Jorge Island:
- Cascata da Cruzal is a beautiful waterfall located on the eastern end of the island, right off the main road.
Flores:
- On Flores Island, look for Poço do Bacalhau. It’s a stunning waterfall with a natural swimming pool surrounded by lush vegetation.
- People say the highlight of Flores Island is the waterfall on the west coast, known as Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro.
FAQs: The Waterfalls of Sao Miguel
Let’s tackle a few of the frequently-asked-questions about the Azores waterfalls. Most of these are answered above.
Which Azores Island has the most waterfalls?
Sao Miguel is the largest island, and has the most waterfalls of any of the islands in the Azores.
Can you swim at any of the Azores waterfalls?
Yes! You can swim at many of the waterfalls, though expect the water to be relatively cold (especially compared to the nearby hot springs).
Can you canyoneer at any of the Azores waterfalls?
Yes! Canyoneering is quite popular at Salto do Cabrito, and Ribeira dos Caldeiroes.
Do you have to pay to see the waterfalls on Sao Miguel.
In a few of these spots, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee to the parks where the waterfalls are located. Grena Park has a 10 Euro entrance fee, and Caldeira Velha (Natural Monument) has a 10 Euro entrance fee.
Wrap: Waterfalls of Sao Miguel
If you’re traveling in the Azores and hoping to check out some waterfalls, Sao Miguel is your best bet.
The waterfalls here are not as visually stunning as the waterfalls you’ll find in parts of Hawaii or Iceland, but they’re still very pretty and with a visit!
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER GUIDES TO THE AZORES:
