Lagoa da Fogo is one of Sao Miguel's great volcanic landscapes, a high crater lake ringed by steep green slopes and often swept by cloud. When the weather opens, the viewpoints give a clean, almost wild view into the island's interior, far from the tidier gardens and hot springs around Furnas.
The lake is worth planning around the forecast. Mist can erase it completely, while a clear morning can be one of the strongest experiences in the Azores. Hikers can descend toward the shore on marked trails, but even the roadside viewpoints justify the trip if you are crossing the island.