The first waterfall on this list is the Hot waterfall of Ribeira Quente. The king of all the waterfalls in São Miguel and probably the Azores!
The Hot Waterfall as it is known by the locals is located in the southeast part of Sao Miguel island near the city of Ribeira Quente. It is considered to be one of the hardest to reach, due to its location, which is between two tunnels.
The only way to reach the hot waterfall is by going to Furnas and from there keep driving on the EN2 road. It takes less than 10 minutes to get near the tunnels on that road, so keep your eyes on the road. Once you see the only tunnels on that road, you can pull before them and park your vehicle on the left. Then, very cautiously go between the two tunnels and follow the path on the right side. It will lead you to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Azores!
Before heading for this adventure, make sure that you are wearing proper shoes and clothing, as it can be quite muddy there. Also, take the upper path, so that you can get a better view of the hot waterfall of Ribeira Quente. If you plan to get closer to the waterfall, you can choose the lower path. Then, follow the tiny stream that will lead you directly to the hot waterfall.