Mount Pico Azores

Portugal Guides: Mount Pico

Mount Pico (Montanha do Pico)

Mount Pico on the island of Pico in the Azores archipelago is Portugal's highest mountain.

The mountain stands at a height of 2,351 meters (7,712 feet).

Its conical shape can be seen from everywhere on the island and on clear days from the other islands in the so-called "Triangle" - namely Faial and São Jorge. The mountain can be hiked in about two to four hours from the trailhead. Come well-prepared with the appropriate gear.

Torre in the Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain on mainland Portugal at 1,993 meters.

View of the majestic Mount Pico. — View of the majestic Mount Pico, Azores, Portugal

Geology

The mountain is a stratovolcano and scientists believed it was formed around 6,000 years ago.

At the summit is the Pico Alto crater around 500 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth.

The volcano is associated with several volcanic eruptions on the island in 1562, 1718 and 1720.

Various vents on the side of the mountain still issue hot steam.

Getting to Mount Pico

There is no public transport to the mountain. Drive or take a taxi to Casa da Montanha. Here you pay a small fee to climb and watch a short movie on the risks involved and the precautions you should take. Take your passport to register.

You will be given a GPS in case you become lost. Visitor numbers on the mountain are strictly controlled.

The ascent is easier and quicker than the descent. Inexperienced hikers should consider going with a local guide as weather conditions can change very quickly.

On a clear day the views are, of course, amazing as are sunsets and sunrises. Going to the mountain at night requires a professional guide.

Getting to + around Pico

Air

Pico Airport (PIX) has connecting flights to Porta Delgada Airport and Lisbon Airport.

Pico Airport (Aeroporto do Pico) connects with the other islands in the Azores including Ponta Delgada and Terceira operated by SATA Air Açores.

The airport is a good place to rent a car on the island.

Flights to Porta Delgada

There are direct flights to Porta Delgada from Lisbon and other European cities including London (Heathrow) with TAP.

Air Azores (part of the SATA Group) flies to many European cities including direct flights to London (Gatwick), Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid and many other destinations in Europe. These include Manchester in the UK via Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Funchal.

There are also direct flights to Boston (about 5 hours flying time), Oakland and Providence, Rhode Island in the USA. In addition there are also flights to the Azores from Toronto in Canada.

All the islands of the Azores have air connections from Porta Delgada with SATA Air Azores.

Ferries

There are no ferries from continental Portugal to the Azores. You will have to fly. Ferries do connect the various groups of islands in the Azores, however.

Sailings are subject to the weather and the season, being less frequent in winter when the seas can be rough.

The boats are operated by Atlânticoline (atlanticoline.pt).

Car ferries between the eastern group of islands São Miguel and Santa Maria take 3 hours.

Ferries also connect the central group of islands: São Jorge, Graciosa, Pico, Terceira and Faial.

Faial (Horta) to São Jorge (Velas) takes 2 hours; Faial (Horta) to Pico (São Roque) takes 1 hour, 10 minutes; Faial (Horta) to Pico (Madalena) takes 30 minutes; Pico (Madalena) to São Jorge (Velas) takes 1 hour, 20 minutes; Pico (São Roque) to São Jorge (Velas) is 50 minutes.

The western group of islands Flores and Corvo are connected by a small passenger only ferry (40 minutes).

The ferry terminals on Pico are in São Roque and Madalena.

*All journey times are dependent on sea conditions.

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Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation

Featured Hotel

Jeiroes Do Mar - Rua Alexandre Herculano, 9950-301 Madalena - Açores, Portugal.
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Pico is blessed with a large number of places to stay ranging from a few high-end luxury hotels to many apartments, villas and budget guesthouses.

Some well-liked properties to choose from include the Hotel Caravelas in Madalena with an outdoor pool and car rental. The Pousada do Pico is a youth hostel within the 17th-century São Pedro de Alcântara Convent.

Elsewhere on the island try the Vila Holanda Bed & Breakfast in the village of Santana on the north coast or the Casa dos Caldeiras, bed & breakfast accommodation with continental breakfast in Lajes do Pico.

See a full listing of available accommodation in Pico.