Mount Pico Mountain
Portugal's highest mountain and Azores volcanic peak
Pico's summit on the Azorean island of Pico is Portugal's highest point, a volcanic cone climbed by hikers via steep trails; visitors combine the ascent with whale-watching trips and visits to UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes.
Mount Pico at a Glance#
Website: https://www.visitazores.com
About Mount Pico#
Mount Pico is a stratovolcano that forms the central high point of Pico Island in the Azores and is the highest mountain in Portugal. Its conical summit and crater dominate the island’s silhouette.
Hikers ascend marked trails through lava fields and scrub to reach the summit ridge and crater; the climb is steep and typically done with a guide or in clear weather. The mountain is set within a landscape of basaltic vineyards and coastal lowlands that are characteristic of Pico Island.
The feature is volcanic in origin and is the product of successive eruptions that built the island’s central cone. It is managed as part of regional conservation and visitor access initiatives rather than as a built historic monument.
Mount Pico sits on Pico Island in the central group of the Azores archipelago, off the mainland of Portugal.
- Elevation: 2,351 meters above sea level, the highest point in Portugal.
- Terrain: A stratovolcano that dominates Pico Island and is reached by steep trails from near sea level.
How to Get to Mount Pico#
Ferries link Pico with Horta (Faial) and São Jorge; flights to Pico Island are available from mainland Portugal and from other Azorean islands. The trailhead is near Madalena and the ascent typically begins from the Casa da Montanha hut.
Tips for Visiting Mount Pico#
- If attempting the summit, start very early - the trail is steep and afternoon clouds are common.
- Book the Casa da Montanha refuge in advance in summer; huts fill quickly during peak season.
- Combine the climb with a ferry hop to Faial (Horta) for views of Pico from across the channel.
Best Time to Visit Mount Pico#
June-September is the prime season for a summit attempt; outside those months conditions can be unpredictable and windy at altitude.
Weather & Climate near Mount Pico#
Mount Pico's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 18°C. Heavy rainfall (2057 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 4° - 8° | 1° | 270 mm | overcast | 82% | 10.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 8° | 0° | 215 mm | overcast | 80% | 11.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.6h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 208 mm | overcast | 80% | 9.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 150 mm | overcast | 80% | 8.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.1h |
| May | Poor | 6° - 11° | 5° | 122 mm | overcast | 81% | 6.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.1h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 14.6h |
| July | Very Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 5.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.4h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.5h |
| September | Acceptable | 11° - 16° | 14° | 151 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 6.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 13° | 11° | 203 mm | overcast | 79% | 7.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Poor | 7° - 11° | 5° | 225 mm | overcast | 79% | 8.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 9° | 2° | 246 mm | overcast | 81% | 10.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.4h |
