HIKING PICO MOUNTAIN: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CLIMBING PORTUGAL’S HIGHEST PEAK
Welcome to my guide for hiking Pico Mountain, Portugal’s highest peak and one of the Azores’ wildest adventures.If you’re here, you’re probably thinking about taking on this beast, so let’s be real about what you’re in for: steep climbs, loose volcanic rock, and a final push to Piquinho that your legs won’t forget anytime soon.
But it’s not all suffering. The crater is unreal for camping, the summit views will mess with your sense of reality, and if you time it right, you’ll get to watch the sunrise from the top of Portugal or descend into a rolling sea of clouds.. the kind of moment that makes every struggle worth it.
Naturally, Pico doesn’t make things easy. The weather has a mind of its own: one minute you’re overheating, the next you’re getting slapped in the face by wind and fog. But by the time you’re standing at the summit, none of that will matter. The pride of conquering this peak will make every challenge fade away.
This guide gets straight to what you need: permits, gear, and tips to make sure you’re ready for this climb. So, ready to take on Pico? Let’s do this.
PICO MOUNTAIN FACTS
Distance: 10 km round trip
Hike Duration: 6-8 hours (depending on pace and photo stops)
Elevation Gain: Around 1100m (3700 ft)
Difficulty: This hike is moderately hard. Steep ascents, loose volcanic rocks, and rapid weather changes make this hiking Pico Mountain no joke. Fog can easily obscure the trail markers, so stay alert and plan to start your descent at least four hours before sunset.
Permit Requirements: All hikers must register at Casa da Montanha (Mountain’s House), where you’ll receive a mandatory GPS tracker. The hike is limited to 320 visitors per day, with only 160 on the trail at any given time. Overnight stays in the crater are capped at 32 visitors per day and require a separate reservation. Piquinho (the true summit) allows a max of 30 visitors at a time, and your visit is limited to 20 minutes. You can book your permits and pay the fees online here.
Mandatory gear needed: Proper shoes or boots with excellent grip, 1.5 L of water, warm layers, a flashlight, and snacks.
For overnight stays: tent, sleeping bag, and extra warm clothes are non-negotiable.
Gear: Proper shoes! My all-time favourite shoes for those type of adventures are Hoka Mafate Speed 4 but you can also read the guide for trail running shoes I tested in 2024, trekking poles can be useful, gloves, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. If you plan on going in the winter, you might need to bring crampons. If you’re unsure about the right clothing for hiking – read my guide here.
Safety Tips: There are 47 wooden trail markers along the route. If you lose sight of the next marker due to fog, retrace your steps to the last visible one. Definitely worth nothing that the weather there can change quickly, with temperatures at the summit often 10°C (50°F) lower than sea level.
GETTING TO PICO MOUNTAIN
By car: Start your adventure at Casa da Montanha, the mountain lodge and official trailhead. Parking here is limited, so arriving early not only guarantees a spot but also gives you a head start before the crowds. Read my rent a car in Azores guide if you haven´t booked one yet.
By taxi: If for some reason you can’t drive, taxis from Madalena are also available, costing around €15–€20 one way. More details on the official website.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING PICO MOUNTAIN
Taking the advice of a local, we planned to start in the early hours of the morning. The goal? Beat the clouds to the summit and actually enjoy those famous views before they roll in. It felt like a solid plan (except for a 4AM wake up call) and honestly, the idea of catching the sunrise at the crater was too good to pass up.
Before the climb even begins, there’s a bit of admin to tackle. First, we needed to register at Casa da Montanha and show our permit, collect a GPS tracker, and get the all-clear to start the trail. It’s straightforward but essential, as they closely monitor who’s on the mountain. Few moments later, we were ready to conquer!
The trail wastes no time: it starts with a steep grassy incline that might have your legs questioning your life choices about 10 minutes in. But the views? Absolutely worth it. Little volcanic craters pepper the landscape, and the endless green feels like you’re hiking through the world’s prettiest Windows XP wallpaper.
After a short while, we reached the first mini-crater that apparently is an attraction itself, plenty of people were taking their break while Jane decided to inspect the surroundings. I took a few sips of water and 5 mins after we continued our journey up the mr Pico. PS the views were already insane.
By the time we reached sign 25, the trail turned rocky, and we realized why sturdy shoes are a must. Faial Island peeked through the horizon, giving us just enough inspiration to keep pushing upward. Sign 35 blessed us with a short flat section.. just a tiny taste of mercy before the climb kicked in again.
At sign 42, the real fun began. Walking on volcanic pebbles is like trying to hike on a pile of ball bearings. Add some loose rocks, and you’ve got a recipe for shaky knees. Sign 43 offered a bit of rest with a small cave. Nice quick spot before the final stretch.
Reaching the massive crater was like stepping onto another planet. It’s vast, quiet, and surreal. If you’re camping, this is where you’ll want to pitch your tent. The thought of waking up here to a golden sunrise? Chef’s kiss. There’s something incredible in hiking volcanoes, and the fact that we have so many of them accessible so close to Europe is just awesome.
But the crown jewel for Hiking Pico Mountain is Piquinho, the true summit and the highest point in Portugal. The final climb isn’t overly technical, but it demands focus and a bit of scrambling. To get to Picuinho, all you have to do is simply follow the trail through the crater. And begin your way by scrambling up. Make sure you do not collide with others!
Once we made it, we felt like we were standing on top of the world, with clouds rolling below and the Azores stretching out in every direction. Here´s a cool 360 video I recorded while making my way up to the summit:
The horizon stretches so far that you can actually see the curvature of the Earth, making it an almost surreal experience. The neighbouring islands of the Azores dot the endless blue of the Atlantic, and on a clear day, it feels like you’re gazing out over an infinite expanse. This view is worth everything.
The descend
The descent was its own kind of challenge. Loose rocks and pebbles made it slippery, and my knees weren’t exactly thrilled. But the scenery kept me going, rolling green hills and valleys draped in clouds made it feel like I was hiking through a dream. Looking back now, I’d probably run the whole thing down, but it’s important to remember that by this point in your hike, you’ll likely be tired. Since most accidents happen on the descent, take care and take your time to ensure you make it all the way down safely.
And there we were, passing dozens of people on the way down, we made it back safely. What an adventure it was!
CONCLUSION
I loved every single second of this hike, and honestly, it’s a must-do. Yes, the price is steep, and the crowds can be a bit much, but standing on Portugal’s highest peak makes it all worthwhile. It’s one of those experiences you’ll look back on and feel genuinely proud of.
If I ever do it again, I’d definitely bring a tent and spend the night up there. Camping in the crater, under a sky full of stars, sounds like the perfect way to soak in everything this mountain has to offer. So, whether it’s your first climb or a return trip, Pico Mountain is an adventure worth crossing off your list.
Looking for more adventures? Check out my 5 Best Hikes on Pico island guide or my hiking guides for the Azores here. If you found this guide helpful and want to support more content like this, feel free to support me with a coffee 😊
Happy hiking, and see you on the next one!
