Hike the Diverse Salto do Cabrito Trail on São Miguel Azores
The Salto do Cabrito hike is an excellent way to spend a few hours exploring the diversity of the largest Azores Island of São Miguel. This great loop hiking trail combines a waterfall, swimming hole, geothermic activity, and rustic hot springs all in a few short hours.
The Salto do Cabrito hike is located between Lagoa do Fogo, a stunning crater lake, and the village of Ribeira Grande. The casual hike can be easily visited independently or with a guided tour.
This hiking guide to the Cabrito Waterfall includes how to reach the trailhead, what to pack for the hike, and things to see along the diverse trail. I’ve also included some general tips for hiking in the Azores.
Waterfalls, hot springs, and lush vegetation make the Cabrito Waterfall hike worth the effort.
This is a basic hiking guide to the Salto do Cabrito loop trail.
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, be mindful of constantly changing trail conditions, 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.
- Salto do Cabrito Hike Overview | PRC29 SMI
- What to Pack for the Salto do Cabrito Day Hike
- How to Reach the Salto do Cabrito Trailhead
- What to Expect Along the Salto do Cabrito Trail
- Tips for Hiking Salto do Cabrito Trail & in the Azores
- Salto do Cabrito Tour Options
- More Things to Do on São Miguel Azores Island
- Conclusion |Salto do Cabrito Hiking Guide
Salto do Cabrito Hike Overview | PRC 29 SMI
- Loop Trail | Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande – Salto do Cabrito – PRC 29 SMI
- Official Trail Markers: PRC 29 SMI Trail has yellow and red wooden signboards and scattered markings
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 5.25 Miles (8.5 Km)
- Excursion Duration: 2- 3 hours, dependent on route, weather, stops, speed, etc
- This hike could be a half-day excursion if you swim at the base of the falls, soak in the hot springs, and opt for lunch at Caldeiras of Ribeira Grande
- Azores Trails has a downloadable version of the Salto do Cabrito Hike here
What to Pack for Salto do Cabrito Day Hike
My day pack always accompanied me on every single day hike in the Azores. The weather changes fast, so always be prepared.
🎒 When backpacking through Europe with my Osprey Kyte 36 L pack, I typically bring my Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Travel Day Pack. I also love the Osprey Day Pack Plus for day hikes.
⁉️ I never leave for a day hike 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.
🥾 Altra Trail runners worked great in the Azores for me, but if you need ankle support, Salomon makes great trail runners. If you need even more support on your ankles, Salomon makes a solid hiking boot.
🚰 Water in a Reusable Water Bottle
👣 Trekking Poles if you love them
🧦 Carry a packable rain jacket that is lightweight. I also love my Smartwool All-Season Merino Base Layer Long-Sleevelong Shirt to help with sun protection and a baseball cap or a buff. An extra pair of socks is amazing to change into mid-hike if the ones on your feet get wet.
👙 Cheap swimsuit to soak in the thermal pools in Caldeiras de Ribeira Grande or swim at the base of the waterfall. A pair of hiking sandals or flip-flops are nice to walk around in the thermal pool facilities. A packable towel is also useful.
⌚️ An Apple Watch is great for recording hiking trails and check-in with daily fitness goals
💶 Euros for buses, restaurants, hot springs, etc
Optional Plastic bag for wet clothing and swimsuit
➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing
How to Reach the Salto do Cabrito Trailhead
The Salto do Cabrito trailhead can be reached via car or by bus/walking or bus/taxi.
Cars can find a free parking lot here near the Cabrito Waterfall. Additionally, the official trailhead parking is located here near the Caldeiras.
Ribeira Grande via Public Bus
CPR bus company runs frequent buses between Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande.
🚌 Buses Ponta Delgada – Ribeira Grande | CPR Bus Company | Buses depart from here in Ponta Delgada, sea side of the street | Average Fare: €2.80 | Duration: 45 minutes
Once in Ribeira Grande, you can walk to the trail near the waterfall. Be mindful that it is along a car road with no sidewalk. The main road from Ribeira Grande (EN5-2A) is busy and crosses the highway. The road merges into the Salto do Cabrito trail here.
🥾 Ribeira Grande – Trail | Distance: Add 2 miles | Duration: at least 30 minutes
The best way to reach the Salto do Cabrito Trailhead from Ribeira Grande is via taxi. The taxi fare from Ribeira Grande to the Termas das Caldeiras averages around 10€.
What to Expect Along the Scenic Salto do Cabrito Trail
The Salto do Cabrito trail showcases a waterfall that flows from a rocky gorge. While the waterfall is pretty, there are much more impressive ones on São Miguel island, like Cascata do Salto do Prego.
What makes this trail memorable is the lush vegetation along the trail like Japanese Cedars and ferns. The trail also follows along a hydroelectrical pipeline path making for a real adventure.
With a fun trail and diverse scenery, I think the actual trail walking is more enjoyable than the waterfall.
The Salto do Cabrito trail can be started from any section of the trailhead and can be hiked in either direction. The trail does not have to be completed in a loop if short on time. Simply turn around anytime you wish.
Cabrito Waterfall
I started the trail from the Cabrito Waterfall. It’s possible to swim in the pool below the falls. The Salto do Cabrito Waterfall is around 30 meters tall.
When I visited, the falls were quite small. It’s best to visit after heavy rainfall to see it in its glory.
To follow the trail, climb the metal staircase up the hillside behind the Cabrito Hydroelectric Power Plant. The steep staircase follows the Ribeira Grande River along metal grate pathways. When walking next to the river look for smaller waterfalls flowing over the stones.
The trail utilizes grass paths along the pipes that carry water from the nearby Hydroelectric Power Plant of Fajã do Redondo.
There is a suspension bridge that crosses the river. After that, the trail follows around the buildings of the dam. The dirt path continues past the forest area.
Faja do Redondo Dam | Barragem da Fajã do Redondo
There is a small detour path where it’s possible to visit the Fajã do Redondo Dam. This scenic walkway is definitely worth it. It’s not possible to cross the dam or go much past it.
After soaking in the serene trail, head back to return to the trail.
🥾 Cabrito Waterfall –Fajã do Redondo Dam | Distance: 1.5 Miles | Duration: +/ – 35 minutes
Follow the trail that leads to the Caldeiras.
Caldeiras & Termas das Caldeiras
The Caldeiras are used to help slow-cook food underground by the steam produced by the geothermal energy. Here you can see the unique underground pits for free. São Miguel is known for their Cozidos, a meat-heavy stew that is cooked by geothermal steam.
Nearby, find an informative signboard in Portuguese that explains the importance of the calderias for Ribeira Grande.
Continue onto the small town of Caldeiras.
If feeling inclined, stop for a soak at the Termas das Caldeiras. These simple thermal pools are one of the more local São Miguel hot springs. This simple facility has been used as a bathhouse since 1811, making it the oldest thermal pool in the Azores!
Termas das Caldeiras | Find it Here: Caldeiras, Ribeira Grande, Portugal | General Admission: €3 per hour | Hours: Daily: 10:00 – 22:00 | Facebook Page
If hiking and soaking stirred up an appetite, stop at Restaurante – Bar Caldeiras to sample the local Cozido stew. This dish was slow-cooked in the caldeiras that you walked by. For a true foodie experience, pair it with a glass of wine from Pico Island.
If you parked near the waterfall, follow the scenic loop back to the parking lot.
🥾 Salto do Cabrito Loop Trail | Total Distance: 5.25 Miles (8.5 Km) | Duration: +/- 2.5 hours
Alternatively, head back to Ribeira Grande. The helpful front desk at Termas das Caldeiras can call a taxi to return to Ribeira Grande or the parking lot near the waterfall.
Tips for Hiking Salto do Cabrito Trail & in the Azores
Here are a few tips for hiking the Azores Islands.
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.
Do not hike in extreme weather or heavy rains. Many of the hiking trails are dirt paths, so the trails can be muddy. There are some trail sections with stones and rocks, which can become slippery and loosen. The metal grate pathways can also be a slip hazard, but they are aided with handrails.
One amazing thing about traveling around the Azores is the SpotAzores webcams placed around the islands. They are nice to check, but again, the weather can change at a moment’s notice.
Carry Enough Water & Proper Gear
Always carry a reusable water bottle. There is a mineral water fountain near the trailhead close to the waterfall, but some hikers may be turned off by the strong taste. There is no place to fill up water bottles along the hiking trail. The only cafe or restaurant is in Caldeiras.
A day pack is essential while hiking in the Azores. The weather can change fast so a light rainjacket and dry layers are nice to have in reserve. I always carried an extra pair of socks and hiking sandals, too.
Do I Need a Guide to Salto do Cabrito?
No, you do not need a guide to hike Salto do Cabrito. The Azores islands have always had a focus on being an eco-destination with an emphasis on visitors enjoying nature. All of the official hiking trails across the nine islands are registered, well-marked, and have detailed trail information.
São Miguel has 29 registered hiking trails, with Salto do Cabrito being one of them. Always check the current trail conditions. Weather and natural occurrences like mudslides can close down trails.
Salto do Cabrito Tours
There are also multiple tours that offer the chance to enjoy the Salto do Cabrito hike.
➜ This Half-Day Walking Tour of Salto do Cabrito includes the hike and a stop at the Hot Springs
➜ Adventurous travelers can try Canyoning in Salto do Cabrito
➜ Join a Half-Day 4×4 Tour to Lagoa do Fogo that includes stops at Salto do Cabrito and other nearby favorite spots of São Miguel Island
More Things to Do on São Miguel Azores Island
Ponta Delgada is the most populous city in São Miguel, so many visitors opt to sleep here and rent a car to explore the island.
Visit the many colorful lakes of São Miguel like Lagoa do Fogo, Sete Cidades, and Lagoa das Furnas. The scenic Furnas Valley has some of the best hot springs and botanical gardens.
Explore the many hiking trails of São Miguel. Some of my favorites include Janela do Inferno and the two waterfalls found on the Cascata Salto do Prego trail. There are also two hiking trails at the Gorreana Tea Factory, including the overlooked Caminho da Água which shows the importance of water in the cultivation process.
Of course, the island is blessed with incredible beaches, delicious restaurants with fresh seafood, pineapple plantations, tea fields, and the unique Ilheu de Vila Franca islet. One of the most popular activities to do on the island is to join a whale-watching tour.
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.
From hiking to surfing and lush vegetation to deserts, the Azores are so diverse and make for an incredible place to visit.
The triangle islands of the Azores include São Jorge island, which may be the most underrated Azores island with unique fajã formations that make for stellar hiking paths. Pico Island boasts the tallest mountain in Portugal and Faial has the challenging Ten Volcanoes hiking trail.
To the south of São Miguel Island don’t miss Santa Maria Island with a jaw-dropping multiday trek of the Santa Maria Grand Route.
Conclusion | Salto do Cabrito Hiking Guide
In short, this is a basic overview of how to hike the loop trail of Salto do Cabrito.
This great hike takes a few hours and includes a waterfall, swimming area, metal platform walkways, dams, and forest paths pathways. As a bonus, there’s an opportunity to dip in the curative thermal waters of Caldeiras. For a fun half-day adventure, try the traditional Cozido cooked from the geothermic steam at the local restaurant.
The Cabrito Waterfall hiking loop can be hiked independently or with a tour group. Additionally, there are opportunities to book adventure tours like canyoning.
Salto do Cabrito is a lovely hike on São Miguel Azores.
Have you walked this path on São Miguel? What did you think?
Pack This Post for Later! Pin It!
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
