This is Porto Santo’s most popular walk, though it rarely feels crowded, especially if you go first thing in the morning. The well-marked PR1 trail is around 5 km return and threads through the island’s northeastern hills, crossing a protected Natura 2000 area where you can spot native plants, wildflowers, and seabirds. The route is moderately challenging, with some steady climbs, but nothing too demanding for anyone used to hill walking. The reward comes at the viewpoints. Terra Chã looks out over rugged cliffs and deep blue water, while Pico Branco, the island’s second-highest point, offers wide 360-degree views across Porto Santo and the Atlantic beyond. The whole hike typically takes under three hours at an easy, unhurried pace, and at the top, you'll find a few picnic areas if you want to recharge before heading back.

The area of 56 997 hectares of the Balaton Uplands National Park mainly consists of these six landscape protection areas: Kis-Balaton, Keszthely Hills, Tapolca Basin, Káli Basin, Pécsely Basin and Tihany Peninsula. Among its regions Kis-Balaton is also protected by the international Ramsar Convention, serving the protection of wetland habitats. Tihany Peninsula – as a recognition of its outstanding geological values and the work of nature conservation in that region – was awarded of European Diploma in 2003. The Natura 2000 areas, covering partly the National Park and going beyond its area ensure the possibility of the conservation of habitats, plant and animal species which are of European importance. The initiative of Bakony–Balaton Geopark – the area of which covers partly the National Park – sets the aim of interpreting the geological, natural and cultural values and awakening the consciousness of their social significance. The Bakony–Balaton Geopark became member of the European Geoparks Network and the Global Geoparks Network – assisted by UNESCO in 2012.

At Hungerburg you can board the Nordkettenbahn cable car to continue up to Seegrube (1,905m) and Hafelekar (2,330m), Innsbruck’s popular recreational Nordkette area. Plenty of sunshine and heaps of snow in the winter make it a tempting paradise for skiers, hikers, mountain bikers, hang gliders and paragliders.