Pico Mountain (Pico Do Pico)

Pico Mountain, known locally as Montanha do Pico, rises from the island of Pico in the Azores to 2,351 metres, which makes it the highest point in Portugal. It is a volcano, a steep, almost perfect cone that sweeps up from the sea and is visible from far away on clear days, and it is the centrepiece of the island's landscape and identity. The mountain is a protected nature reserve, and its summit has a crater about five hundred metres wide, with a small, steep cone known as Piquinho rising from the crater floor.

The climb is the most popular challenge in the Azores and a serious undertaking. There is no cable car or easy path. The trail starts at a visitor centre, the Casa da Montanha, at around 1,200 metres, and climbs through bare lava fields, marked by numbered posts, up a steep slope of rough black rock to the crater rim. The route takes several hours up and a few hours down, and it requires reasonable fitness, sturdy boots, warm and windproof clothing, plenty of water, and food. Surfaces are rough, with sharp lava and loose stones, so gloves can be useful for the scrambling sections. The final climb up the Piquinho is steep and involves hands as well as feet.

Because of the risk of sudden weather changes and the danger of getting lost in cloud, the authorities require climbers to register in advance, and the number allowed each day is limited. Some visitors are asked to carry a tracking device. Many climbers start before dawn to reach the summit at sunrise. The reward is a view over the whole island and, on clear days, across the sea to Faial, São Jorge, and even Graciosa. At the top, steam sometimes rises from vents around the crater, a reminder that the volcano is dormant but not extinct.

Weather decides everything. In cloud, rain, or wind, the summit is dangerous and the views are lost, so check conditions and be ready to turn back. The best months are generally from May to September, when conditions are most stable, though even then clouds can arrive suddenly. Guided climbs are available and are recommended for those without experience of mountain terrain.

The mountain suits fit walkers, experienced hikers, and those seeking a memorable challenge. Others can enjoy the mountain from below, including from the vineyards and the coast, where the cone fills the sky.