I’ve now climbed Mount Pico twice.
If you were around when I wrote about my first experience climbing the mountain, you know it didn’t go so well. A lack of experience paired with horrible weather led to a cold, miserable, long, and very sore experience.
The second time around I was much more prepared and it showed in how quick and fun the climb was - even though we had less than ideal weather again.
This guide is comprised of everything I’ve learned during those two climbs to make sure you have a great time climbing Mount Pico and don’t make the same mistakes that I did.
Mount Pico is located on the island of Pico, the second-largest of the nine Azores islands. Standing at 2351 meters tall, this dormant volcano is the ultimate Azorean challenge - if you're visiting Pico, you cannot pass up the opportunity to climb it! At more than twice the altitude of any other peak in the Azores, it's not just the highest point on the island, but also in all of Portugal and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Climbing Pico is both a physical and mental challenge and it is not for the faint of heart. You'll want to be a good physical condition and good spirits before beginning the hike. Keep reading for some information on the history of Mount Pico and everything you need to know before climbing including what to expect, when to go, and what to pack.
History
Mount Pico is a stratovolcano, with a pit crater on its summit. It's topped by Pico Alto, a round crater which spans about 500 meters in diameter and drops about 30 meters deep, and Piquinho (meaning "small peak"), a small volcanic cone, rising 70 meters within the crater to form the true summit of Pico.
Pico's most historic eruption was in 1562; it lasted for more than two years and sent lava flowing all the way into the ocean. The most recent eruption occurred in December 1720. Mount Pico has been dormant ever since.
READ MORE: 10 Bucket List Experiences in the Açores
Before You Go
Admittedly, Tyler and I were not as prepared as we should have been for this hike. We'd heard stories of family members hiking the mountain decades ago in running shoes, using tree branches for hiking poles, long before Pico was a tourist attraction with a maintained trail. Our dad, who is notoriously afraid of heights climbed Pico as a kid, so we were really making light of the entire thing.
Until we got to the Mountain House.
The Mountain House, or Casa da Montanha, is essentially "base camp". It's located 1200m above sea level (almost halfway up already!). All climbers need to check in here whether you're hiking on your own or going with a guide.
I strongly recommend going up with a guide. Especially if this is your first time climbing Pico. Not only do the guides know the best route up the mountain, but they give you the extra motivation that you're bound to need around the six-hour mark.
There are plenty of different companies that you can book a guide through. We booked through Tripx Azores and had a really wonderful experience with our guide.
FUN FACT: The owner of Tripx Azores made his 2351st climb up Pico Mountain on the same day that we climbed!
As we stared up at the massive volcano from the Mountain House we quickly realized that all the gym sessions we'd suffered through in the last year still weren't enough to prepare us to tackle this beast.
Pico is STEEP. For every 3 meters you walk forward, you also walk up 1 meter in elevation. It's like being on the Stairmaster for eight hours straight.
