Pico Mountain
2351m of adventure and natural beauty
There is a painter that paints in black and white
To reach the several shades of blue and green.
I mention the supreme colour
Where all of them mix and none of them
Is lost.
The ring of clouds and mist
The ring of clouds and mist
Around the poem.
Or the sound of silence. The low-lying land and the wind
Or maybe the basalt stone
And the uncertain shade
Of grey.
And suddenly the Peak becomes unveiled
The blue, the white, the light from above.
Manuel Alegre, 14/04/97
Pico climbing and other trekking trails
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The Pico Mountain is a permanent attraction. Everyone wishes to climb it but only a few are bold enough to answer its calling.
The climb starts at a height of 1,200 m at the Mountain House, which is reachable by car. Visitors are registered there, and then they may start climbing by the "Mountain Guardian", a statue by the Azorean sculptor Nuno da Câmara Pereira.
Reaching the top of the mountain is not very hard, but it is very tiring. Therefore, only people in good physical conditions should do it. The biggest hazards of this climbing are the weather conditions, which are unpredictable, and the temperature differential, which could be over 16 degrees from the mountain base to its top. We strongly advise visitors to be accompanied by an accredited guide.
And then the 3,450 metre-long circular trail begins (it starts and ends at the same spot). From the height of 1,230 metres to the height of 2,351 metres, it takes an average of 7 hours. The ground is irregular with gravel, rocks and loose materials. The difficulty level ranges from moderate to high.
While climbing it is possible to admire and photograph the magnificent view over the Central Group islands: Pico, Faial, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira.
Our advice is to start climbing at the end of the day and then spend the night at the crater in order to enjoy the beautiful and unforgettable vision of the sunset and sunrise at the highest point of Portugal.
Recomendations
Check the weather forecast;
Look for an official guide;
Bring light clothes, a jacket or a sweater, a rain coat and sunscreen. Rain and fog are frequent and the temperature range is quite considerable;
Bring appropriate footwear: mountain boots or shoes that will not slip;
Bring something to support yourself while climbing, such as a stick;
Bring high-energy food and at least 1.5 litres of water;
Abide by the legal provisions in force and do not disturb the tranquillity of the place.