My next trip with Couloir took place in the Azores. This trip in mid-October was a new experience of island travel.
All the islands are unique in their own way, and the Azores impressed me with their luxuriant greenery, mild subtropical climate, diverse landscapes and abundance of lakes.
We explored the island of São Miguel, which is home to the capital of the Azores archipelago, Ponta Delgada.
Due to the warm, humid climate, the entire island is covered with forest, grass, flowers, and moss. Even the slopes of the volcanoes are overgrown with dense vegetation and sometimes thorny thickets.
And the local hydrangeas are just a miracle. We were just fascinated by them. They grow everywhere, reach gigantic sizes and bloom all year round.
By the way, the hydrangea is a symbol of the Azores, so you can see it everywhere: along roads, in parks, near houses and in parking lots.
As you know, the Azores were formed many millions of years ago as a result of volcanic activity.
There are no active volcanoes now, but their consequences remain: craters with picturesque mountain lakes, hot springs, geysers, and black beaches.
On the first day of the trekking, we walked around the two largest lakes of San Miguel Island - LagoaAzul (Blue Lake) and LagoaVerde (Green Lake), which really have different water colors, although they merge together.
During this time, we saw the lakes from different angles and in different weather conditions, as the rain, sun, and wind were constantly changing.
Along the way, we met herds of cows, because the Azores are known for dairy production and there are ideal conditions for grazing cows on lush grass.
The next day was devoted to climbing to the highest point of the island - Pico do Vara.
The first part of the route ran through a dense forest, where we kept losing and finding the path hidden under dry branches and grass.
When we finally got out of the forest, the most interesting part began. We saw a huge clearing overgrown with moss, grass, and thorny blackberry bushes.
In some places, the moss reached above our knees, so we had to take turns trampling the path as if in snow. It was also squelchy underfoot, like in a swamp, and sometimes my shoes fell under the water.
But you could fall into the moss and lie down like in a bed without falling. It was not an easy path, but it left unforgettable memories.
We remembered this experience until the end of the hike and wondered how we got out of there almost unscathed by thorns.
Then we climbed a mountain from which we could see the entire island, if not for the thick clouds that covered the top. There was also a cold wind.
Nevertheless, we were pleased with ourselves that we had made it all the way, despite all the difficulties. The best lake was waiting for us on the third day.
Lagoa do Fogo is the highest and largest lake on the island, and it is also located in a nature reserve. As usual, the ascent began in a dense forest, where the sun's rays did not even penetrate in some places.
It was all the more interesting to make our way along the narrow paths along the levadas, a type of irrigation canal.
When we left the forest area, we came across a series of magnificent views, so we couldn't resist making a photo shoot.
After that, we climbed to the highest point of the crater, where we could see a stunning circular panorama - from all sides we could see the ocean washing our island.
It was an incredible sight, we could not contain our delight at what we saw. After a rest and a delicious snack at this amazing place, we continued our journey.
According to the plan, we were supposed to go around the lake, but it turned out that the path was so overgrown with blackberry bushes that it was impossible to walk along it, so we decided to return the same way.
However, this in no way affected the vivid impressions of this unforgettable day.
Another day was devoted to waterfalls. Near the picturesque village of Faial da Terra, we visited two famous waterfalls - Salto do Prego and Salto do Cagarrao.
Hidden in the rocks, they look mysterious and majestic, falling from a height into a small lake. Those who wished could even bathe in the icy water.
After days full of hiking, we arranged a real relaxation - we visited the Caldeiras Valley, which is famous for its geysers and hot springs.
They visited TerraNostra Park and swam in a hot pool with iron impurities, which made the water look like a thick brown mass.
In fact, there are a lot of different hot pools in this valley, so it was enough to try a few of them and then we went to look for a place to have lunch.
In the nearest restaurant we ordered a local volcanic dish, Kozida, which is cooked underground on a hot geyser and contains various types of meat and vegetables.
It was delicious, and they served such a huge portion that we had to take half of it with us and finish it the next day.
We also visited the only tea plantation in Europe where we tasted different varieties of this popular drink, and visited a tea production museum with old equipment that, as it turned out, is still used for its intended purpose.
In general, we can say that the Azores are a great choice for simple hiking.
Spectacular scenery, a variety of natural landscapes, a mild climate, and the complete absence of predators make them an ideal place for outdoor activities.
Beaches, lakes, extinct volcanoes, forests, mountains, geysers, hot springs - there is everything for every taste.
And as always, the organization of the Coulouar trip was impeccable. The consultant Victoria did everything possible to make the trip comfortable and convenient and all the participants were prepared in the best possible way.
Anastasia Domanova took care of us, drove us around by car, fed us delicious meals, and inspired us with stories about her incredible adventures.
The time flew by, but we have pleasant memories, new friends and a desire to return to the next hikes with the Kuluar club.