Waterfalls São Miguel – Salto do Prego & Salto do Cabrito Guide

Hiking to the waterfalls of São Miguel is one of the absolute must‑dos when visiting the Azores. The island’s lush forests, volcanic valleys, and crystal‑clear pools create some of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in Portugal. In this guide, I share three waterfall trails, including trailheads, locations, best times, crowd levels, and one hidden gem hike with three waterfalls and four natural pools where you can swim.

Salto do Cabrito may be the most famous, but it’s not necessarily the best. I’ll give you honest advice, insider tips, and a clear description of how to find each waterfall. Swimming is permitted at the pools of these waterfalls, so pack a towel and swimwear in your backpack.

1. Salto do Cabrito – Popular but Best Early or Late

Salto do Cabrito is one of the most famous waterfalls on São Miguel, mainly because it appears all over social media. The pool looks inviting, and the waterfall is impressive — but timing is everything. If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of this spot, come early in the morning or late in the day. Otherwise, skip it. That’s my honest advice. We arrived in the afternoon, and it was simply too crowded.

Trailheads & Parking

You’ll find two parking areas:

• Short stroll trailhead — less than 200 meters to the waterfall - Parking Google Maps

• Longer hike trailhead — near the power station and dam, perfect for the scenic river‑gorge hike -Parking Google Maps

The gravel parking near the power station is the best starting point if you want the full hiking experience.

The Spectacular Gorge Hike (3 km return)

This is the hike we chose — and it was absolutely worth it.

The trail begins near the power station. From here, you follow the large water pipes through the forest. The path is easy to find, even though the markings are sparse. Look for the yellow and red trail markers and follow them toward the river. We crossed the pipe on this small footbridge.

Soon you reach the Salto do Cabrito Hydropower Plant, where a metal staircase leads down to a narrow footbridge across the river. This marks the start of the most exciting part of the hike: a human‑made walkway suspended above the river and pipes, secured by railings, guiding you through the narrow gorge.

You’ll hear the waterfall long before you see it. After descending two staircases, you reach the bottom of Salto do Cabrito.

We loved this hike — lush vegetation, dramatic gorge scenery, and hardly any people. We met just one local couple walking their dog. But once we reached the waterfall, the atmosphere changed: the pool was noisy and crowded. If you watch my Azores video on YouTube, you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Hiking details:

• Distance: 3 km return

• Time: ~2.5 hours including a break

• Hiking Map by Locus Map App

• The circular red trail shown on the map is PRC29 SMI, a 7.5 km loop.

Why This Hike Is Worth It

Even if the waterfall gets crowded, the hike itself is fantastic — quiet, scenic, and full of variety. The gorge section alone makes it one of the most memorable short hikes on São Miguel. We enjoyed this part a lot and met just one local couple walking their dog. Check out my Azores video on YouTube, and you know what I mean.

2. Salto do Prego – A Refreshing Forest Hike & Natural Pool

Salto do Prego is one of the most rewarding waterfall hikes on São Miguel. It’s less touristy than Salto do Cabrito, but still a beloved local spot for swimming — especially on summer weekends. If you want a quieter experience, visit on a weekday or outside peak season. We came in September, and the water felt around 20°C or colder — refreshing but not warm.

Trailhead & Parking in Faial da Terra

The hike starts in Faial da Terra, a small village in the southeast of São Miguel. You’ll find clear signs pointing toward the waterfall, and the trail begins just above the village. Google Maps Location 

Trail Options & Difficulty

You can choose between two routes:

• 4 km return — to Salto do Prego only

• 7.5 km return — includes Salto do Cagarrão

Difficulty: Medium The trail ascends steadily through dense forest and descends on the way back. Expect mud, slippery stones, and uneven terrain — especially after rain.

The path is well‑marked with wooden signs and red‑yellow trail markers. It took us about one hour to hike the 2 km ascent to the waterfall.

The Forest Trail to Salto do Prego

The hike is beautiful from the very first steps: lush vegetation, rope‑secured muddy sections, and a narrow path winding through endemic plants. You’ll meet a few hikers along the way, but it never feels crowded.

After about an hour, you reach the bottom of Salto do Prego — a tall, powerful waterfall dropping into a large natural pool. The scenery is breathtaking, and the pool is perfect for a refreshing dip on warm days.

Optional Extension: Salto do Cagarrão

From Salto do Prego, the trail continues upward toward Salto do Cagarrão, another beautiful waterfall higher in the valley. We didn’t continue because a landslide had occurred a few weeks earlier, but under normal conditions, this extension is a great add‑on if you enjoy longer hikes.

Hiking Map

You’ll find our detailed route here: Locus Map Trail, including both waterfall options

3. Moinho do Félix – Trilho TM6

The Hidden Gem: Three Waterfalls & Four Natural Pools

Trilho TM6 is my top tip and the biggest highlight of our São Miguel trip. This circular trail leads through lush forest, along a stream, and past three waterfalls and four natural pools — all perfect for swimming. Best of all, we were almost alone the entire day. If you want a quiet, authentic Azores experience, this is the hike.

You pass a crooked tree right at the beginning — we couldn’t resist taking a fun photo “holding” it.

Trailhead & Parking – Lomba de São Pedro

Start in the small village of Lomba de São Pedro on the north coast. We parked along the road near the hiking information board. Google Maps

Trail details:

• Length: 9 km circular

• Difficulty: Medium

• Elevation: 280 m

• Duration: 4–5 hours (including swimming + lunch)

• Map: Locus Map route

• Footwear: Essential — the trail is muddy and uneven

• What to pack: Towel, swimwear, water, snacks

• Hiking trail information board

The path is well‑marked and maintained, with wooden signs and several footbridges along the stream.

1) Poço da Truta – First Pool

This is the first pool on the right. It’s deep, clear, and perfect for swimming. I went in — absolutely refreshing on a sunny day. “Poço” means puddle or pool, and this one has a small cascade feeding it.

2) Cascata da Gruta – Walk Behind the Waterfall

Cascata da Gruta is a tall waterfall dropping into a beautiful pool surrounded by forest — and you can walk behind it. The spray is invigorating, and the view from behind the curtain of water is fantastic.

3) Cascata do Teófilo – Shallow Pool

Cascata do Teófilo is another scenic waterfall with a shallow pool. Markus went swimming here — not too cold, just refreshing. The trail continues gently through forest and along the stream.

Felix Watermill Ruins

The trail is named after the old Félix watermill, which you reach shortly after Cascata do Teófilo. A sign points to the ruins, and it’s a lovely historic stop in the middle of nature.

4) Cascata do Homem – Last Waterfall Near the Sea

The final waterfall, Cascata do Homem, lies close to the sea. Its pool is smaller but still refreshing. A narrow paved road leads directly to this waterfall — useful if you can’t hike the full trail.

From here, you can walk up to Miradouro da Rocha, where you see both the sea and the waterfall from above. After enjoying the view, follow the paved road back to the village and your car.

Why TM6 Is a Hidden Gem

• Three waterfalls, four pools

• Hardly any people

• Perfect for swimming

• Beautiful forest trail

• Easy navigation

• A full‑day adventure with incredible variety

This is one of the most underrated hikes on São Miguel — and one of the best.

My Personal Hotel Tips for São Miguel

São Miguel offers plenty of hotels and rental homes, but choosing the right location matters. The island is about 64 km long, so staying on the north coast or in Ponta Delgada keeps driving times manageable. After exploring the island, we always enjoyed a swim — either in a hotel pool or one of the safe piscinas naturais.

Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa is one of my favourite places to stay because of its dramatic Atlantic views, quiet location, and excellent indoor and outdoor pools. The sea‑view rooms are absolutely worth it, and the large parking area makes it convenient for rental cars.

If you prefer staying in Ponta Delgada, ILHA Hostel & Suites is a charming and surprisingly quiet option right in the centre. We spent two nights here before leaving the Azores, and the owner truly went the extra mile to make our stay comfortable.

For a more classic hotel experience, the Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico is perfectly located across from a huge piscina natural. It’s ideal if you want easy access to the marina, restaurants, and the waterfront while still enjoying a refreshing swim right in front of the hotel.

More São Miguel Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

• Learn how to plan your visit to the geothermal pools at Caldeira Velha Hot Springs, including time‑slot entry tips.
• Explore the dramatic crater rim and drone‑like views in my detailed guide to Miradouro da Boca do Inferno — one of the most breathtaking viewpoints above the Sete Cidades crater lakes.
• Explore the dramatic crater lake and viewpoints in my detailed guide to Lagoa do Fogo.
• Browse all my Azores Islands Guides for more inspiration.
• And don’t miss our Ultimate Azores Video – 19 Must‑Visit Places on YouTube.

👉 Azores Map high resolution with my favourite places.

We are real travellers; we took all these pictures and footage ourselves. I provide honest content from our own experience — not generated by AI.