Janela do Inferno One of the Best Hiking Trails on São Miguel Azores
The Janela do Inferno hike is easily one of the most epic hikes on the Azores Island of São Miguel. This great loop hiking trail highlights the island’s beautiful forests, green landscapes, and fascinating old water tunnels.
Janelo do Inferno gets its name from the trickling waterspout waterfall that literally translates to the “window to hell.”
There is nothing hellish at all about the scenic hike of Janelo do Inferno. The trail is moderately easy, well-marked, and has a dash of adventure.
The trailhead for the Janela do Inferno hike is located near Remédios da Lagoa, a village found between Ponta Delgada and the crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo. The lovely hike can be easily visited independently without a tour.
This hiking guide to Janela do Inferno includes how to reach the trailhead, things to pack in your day pack, and what to expect along the trail. As I hiked quite a bit in the Azores, I’ve included general tips for hiking in the Azores.
This is a basic hiking guide to the worthwhile Janelo do Inferno hiking trail on São Miguel island.
Table of Contents
Disclosure: This is part of my Hikes & Adventures series, which means these treks can be strenuous and challenging. These are my experiences and I am not an expert. Please have all the proper equipment, verify the weather conditions, use professional resources, do your own research, and take into consideration your own physical abilities and/or limitations. These guides are for entertainment purposes only. Please see my full disclosure for more information here.
- Janela do Inferno Hike Overview | PRC37 SMI Route of Water
- What to Pack for the Janela do Inferno Hike
- How to Reach the Janela do Inferno Trailhead
- Beautiful Janela do Inferno Hiking Trail
- Tips for Hiking Janela do Inferno Trail & the Azores
- More Things to Near the Janela do Inferno Hike
- Conclusion |Janela do Inferno Hiking Guide
Janela do Inferno Hike Overview | PRC37 SMI
- Loop Trail | Rota da Água – Janela do Inferno – PRC37 SMI
- Trailhead: Near the village of Remédios da Lagoa
- Official Trail Markers: PRC37 SMI has yellow and red wooden signboards scattered along the trail
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Distance: 4.75 Miles (7.6 Km)
- Excursion Duration: 2- 3 hours, dependent on weather, stops, speed, etc
- The trail has divergent points with the challenging Rota da Água – Entre Túneis e Condutas PR 42 SMI which is currently closed for the summer of 2023. Stay on the loop trail for Janela do Inferno.
- Azores Trails has a downloadable version of the Janela do Inferno Hike here
What to Pack for Janela do Inferno Day Hike
For any day hike on the Azores, it’s ideal to have a well-stocked day pack. The weather changes fast so it’s best to be prepared. Carry dry gear, and a rain jacket, pack enough snacks, and bring plenty of water.
🎒 When backpacking through Europe with my Osprey Kyte 36 L pack, I typically carry a small packable day pack like the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack. Another great day pack is the Osprey Day Pack Plus.
⁉️ No matter the hike, I never leave without a First-Aid Kit that has at least one emergency blanket in it and a fully charged power bank to use with my electronics.
🔦 The Janelo do Inferno hike is all about waterways and tunnels. Some of these tunnels are long and dark so a headlamp is a must.
🚰 Water in a lightweight Water Bottle
👣 Trekking Poles if you love them
🥾 Altra Trail runners are my favorite lightweight hiking shoes, but if you need ankle support, try Salomon trail runners. Some people prefer hiking boots, and again, I can’t recommend Salomons enough.
🧦 Carry a lightweight packable rain jacket. For sun protection and chilly mornings, a Smartwool All-Season Merino Base Layer Long-Sleevelong Shirt is useful. Additionally, a baseball cap or a buff provides another method of sun protection. An extra pair of Merino wool socks is amazing to change into mid-hike if the ones on your feet get wet.
⌚️ An Apple Watch is great for recording hiking trails and check-in with daily fitness goals
💶 Euros for buses, restaurants, etc
➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing
How to Reach the Janela do Inferno Trailhead
The Janela do Inferno trailhead is found close to the village of Remédios da Lagoa. The trailhead can be reached via car or by bus/walking.
Cars can find a free parking lot here. Next to the car park is a Tourist Information Center on one end and a picnic area with covered tables on the other. The picnic area also has free bathrooms.
From Ponta Delgada via Public Bus
Varela e Cª Lda bus company runs a direct bus from Ponta Delgada to Remédios da Lagoa. They only run a few times per day. Check the current bus schedule here.
🚌 Buses Ponta Delgada – Remédios da Lagoa | Varela e Cª Lda Bus Company | Buses depart from here in Ponta Delgada, sea side of the street | Average Fare: €2.80 | Duration: 35 minutes
Those who don’t mind walking can catch any Varela e Cª Lda bus in the direction of Vila Franca do Campo and exit just after Lagoa. This requires walking on the road (EN5-2A) up to Remedios village to the trailhead.
Be mindful this is on a car road, so stay to the left side of the road and walk cautiously. The walk is about 30 minutes after exiting the bus to the parking lot near the trailhead. This is how I reached the Janela do Inferno trailhead.
Those who didn’t rent a car or don’t want to take a bus can pre-arrange a taxi for pick up and drop off.
Beautiful Ruta da Água Janela do Inferno Hiking Trail
The Janela do Inferno trail was one of my favorite hiking trails on São Miguel island. It rained the whole morning, but the forest sections provided enough coverage for me to not be miserable in the downpour.
The trail is open and exposed at the beginning and ending sections of the trail. This trail loops through a forest, includes old water tunnels, and highlights aqueducts that once provided fresh water from the streams to the Alcohol Factory of Lagoa. The factory closed in the late 20th century and now provides drinking water to the nearby municipalities.
The hiking trail gets its name from the unique small stream waterfall that spews from a cave. The name is Janelo do Inferno, which translates to the “Window to Hell.”
The trail is a favorite due to its stunning views of Lagoa and Ponta Delgada, the timeless tunnels and aqueducts covered in moss, and the water spring that has eroded into the Janelo do Inferno.
Trailhead to Janela do Inferno
The parking lot is next to the Casa da Água. This building used to be used as a milking station for cows, but today it is a helpful tourist information center. Stop in here to answer any last-minute questions and check the route.
When ready, walk through the parking lot and follow the trailhead past the picnic area to turn left. There is a signboard that leads the way.
Even though I had rain, it was easy to appreciate the stunning views of the seaside villages that sit on the shores of the ocean.
The trail moves to a meadow and the first tunnel comes into view. The first tunnel was the longest at 72 meters (236 ft). This tunnel is the Pico da Cova tunnel and is so long that it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, literally.
All of the tunnels along the water route are narrow and can feel a little claustrophobic. Be mindful that every single tunnel on the Janelo do Inferno loop is short in height and requires ducking while walking through them. The headlamp is extremely useful.
Continue past the beautiful ancient aqueducts and the old water collecting facilities. There are more tunnels carved into the hillsides which were used for old water pipes.
Remember, there is also a route to detour to the PRC 42, a challenging 15 KM trail that leads to Água do Pau (currently closed). Stay on the Janelo do Inferno trail.
The trail leads to the water spout that trickles from the cliff, the Janela do Inferno.
Janelo do Inferno
The natural formation of Janela do Inferno is lovely and surrounded by cliffs covered in lush vegetation, ferns, and moss. The cave is said to have a natural spring that trickles from it. This special feature was created by years of erosion. Keep your eyes peeled for numerous newts who call this place home.
Cross the stream and catch a glimpse into the window to hell. Some structures appear to be functioning and collecting the water. It’s no wonder this loop trail is called the Route of Water.
🥾 Trailhead –Janela do Inferno | Distance: 2.75 Miles | Duration: +/ – 1 hour
Janela do Inferno to Remédios da Lagoa
The trail continues with the water spout to your back. Follow the narrow trail back to the old aqueducts lined with a water pipe. Remember, you’ve passed this aqueduct before but from the other side.
This section can be a little tricky as the loop trail seems to merge close by for a bit. It’s best to check in with an offline map or you will just take the hiking path as an out-and-back trail rather than a loop.
The loop trail leads to another tunnel, the Grota Tunnel. Once through the tunnel you’ve left the forest and are back in the meadow that leads to a road. Follow the road in the direction of the village. When walking along the road you’ll pass by rolling farmlands filled with grazing cows.
Again, there are lovely views of the sea and the south-facing villages and cities of São Miguel. The path continues through the small village of Remedios da Lagoa. Here find two small cafes and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.
The trail ends at the parking lot next to the Visitor’s Center of Casa da Água
🥾 Janela do Inferno Loop Trail | My Personal Distance: 5.6 Miles ( 9 Km) | Duration: 2.5 hours
Tips for Hiking Janela do Inferno Trail & the Azores
Here are a few tips for hiking along the many trails in the Azores.
Be Mindful of the Weather
The Azores are found in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the weather can change in an instant. São Miguel is the Green island and is known as this because of the lush and fertile green plants. Expect it to rain.
The Janela do Inferno hiking trail is mostly through a heavily wooded forest. It can feel almost jungle-like and is a little more protected from the rain. However, do not hike in extreme weather or seriously heavy rains.
A majority of this trail is on dirt paths, so the trail can be extremely muddy. The open meadows can also accumulate puddles.
One amazing thing about traveling around the Azores is the numerous SpotAzores webcams found throughout all nine of the islands. The cameras are nice to check, but again, the weather can change at a moment’s notice, so don’t rely on them.
Carry Enough Water & Proper Gear
For the Janela do Inferno hike, a headlamp or some sort of flashlight is a must. The tunnels are dark and can be intimidating to navigate without a light source. Always carry a reusable water bottle. There is a water fountain near the trailhead.
Those carrying a proper water filter can find plenty of places to fill up along the Rota da Água. There is a lot of farmland and pastures along the route, so a water filter is highly recommended if filing up from the streams.
A day pack is essential while hiking in the Azores. With constantly changing weather, a light rain jacket and dry layers are nice to have in reserve. I always carried an extra pair of socks and I often threw my hiking sandals in my day pack.
Do I Need a Guide to Hike Janela do Inferno?
No, you do not need a guide for the Janela do Inferno hike. The Azores islands have always had a focus on being an eco-destination with an emphasis on visitors enjoying the natural beauty. All of the official hiking trails across every Azore island are registered, well-marked, and have detailed trail information and pamphlets.
São Miguel has 30 registered hiking trails, with Janela do Inferno being one of them. Always check the current trail conditions. Weather and natural occurrences like mudslides can close down trails, like the connected trail of Rota da Água – Entre Túneis e Condutas PR 42 SMI.
Janela do Inferno Tours
There are only a few local tour companies that offer Janela do Inferno tours. It’s best to check in with organized tours in Ponta Delgada.
➜ Here is a high-rated Half-Day Walking Tour Janela do Inferno and Lagoa do Fogo
More Things to Near the Janela do Inferno Hike
Ponta Delgada is where most travelers opt to sleep when visiting São Miguel Island. This main city of the island is less than a 20-minute drive to the trailhead of Janela do Inferno. With a car, it’s easy to visit these nearby highlights of São Miguel island.
After the hike, the road continues north to the crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo. There are plenty of viewpoints and shorter hiking trails to savor the beauty of the lake. From there, the road continues towards Riberia Grande.
On the way, stop at the Caldeira Velha Nature Preserve, which is home to one of the best hot springs on São Miguel island (reservations required).
A little down the road is the lovely Salto do Cabrito hike. Either visit the waterfall, take a refreshing swim, or take the loop trail (2 – 3 hours and is just over 5 miles). Ribeira Grande is a great place to grab some food or a starting point to visit the Gorreana Tea Plantation. Chá Gorreana has two special hiking trails, free tours of the facilities, and offers free tea samplings.
Awesome Things to Do on the Azores Islands
The Azores Islands are an archipelago of nine islands found in the Atlantic Ocean almost 1,000 miles to the west of Portugal. The archipelago is an autonomous region of Portugal, with each island having its own personality and highlights.
São Miguel has tons of beaches, waterfalls, delicious restaurants, and scenic spots. One of the best hikes on São Miguel Island is the Salto do Prego – Sanguinho trail. From lounging on a beach to whale watching, São Miguel Island Azores is an incredible place to visit and explore.
While São Miguel Island is by far the most visited Azores Island, don’t miss the most underrated Island of São Jorge, or hiking Portugal’s tallest mountain, Pico on Pico Island.
The Azores Islands are a hiker’s dream with hikes through vineyards and to ten volcanoes. There are even epic multi-day treks like the Grand Route of Santa Maria.
If hiking isn’t your thing, enjoy fresh seafood and beautiful natural highlights from fajãs to natural swimming pools. The Azores Islands are something special.
Conclusion | Janela do Inferno Hiking Guide
In short, this is a basic overview of how to hike the loop trail of Janela do Inferno
This awesome hike showcases an old water route that twists through a thick and moss-covered forest. The highlight of the trail is the unique formation that is known as the window to hell.
This hike is far from hellish and is a spectacular way to spend a few hours appreciating the diversity and true beauty of the island. The antique aqueducts and old tunnels for water pipes only add to the magic of this hike.
The Janela do Inferno hiking trail instantly became one of my most memorable hikes on São Miguel island of the Azores.
Have you walked the Route of Water to the Window of Hell? What did you think?
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