10 hour(s)
English
Included
Climb to the summit of Portugal’s highest peak
Witness a spectacular sunset over the Atlantic Ocean
Hike through volcanic landscapes bathed in golden light
Experience breathtaking panoramic views from the top
Ascend Mount Pico during a magical twilight climb
Embrace the thrill of conquering the mountain at dusk
€ 111.16
This activity is managed by our trusted partner FareHarbor.
Additional taxes and fees may apply — total shown at checkout.
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Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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Your journey to the roof of Portugal begins in the late afternoon from the base of the majestic Mount Pico. This is no ordinary hike; it is a twilight ascent designed to chase the setting sun. As you begin your climb from the trailhead near Madalena, the unique volcanic landscapes of Pico Island unfold around you. You will navigate ancient lava flows and rugged terrain, with the island's unique vegetation providing a stark contrast against the dark rock. The air grows cooler and the light softens, casting long shadows and bathing the mountain in a warm, golden glow. This challenging yet rewarding trek is a true Azorean adventure, a steady climb towards an unforgettable celestial event. Reaching the summit of Mount Pico, standing at 2351 meters, is a moment of pure triumph. From this incredible vantage point, you are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views across the Azores archipelago. Watch as the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant orange, pink, and purple hues. The sun makes its slow descent, finally dipping below the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and setting the clouds ablaze with color. This is the ultimate prize for your efforts. The serene silence at the top of Portugal, combined with the spectacular natural light show, creates a truly magical and profound experience. The descent under a sky full of stars completes this once-in-a-lifetime mountain adventure.
Certified Pico Guide
Reserve Access Fee
Hiking Poles
Headlight
Winter Crampons
Climbing Manual
Accident Insurance
Climbing Certificate
Mountain transfers
Meals and snacks
Gratuities
Sturdy hiking boots
Layered clothing
Waterproof jacket
Small backpack
Headlamp
Sufficient water
Energy snacks
Hiking poles
Sunscreen
Warm hat
Gloves
Good physical fitness and experience on steep, uneven trails are required
Proper mountain boots and suitable climbing equipment are absolutely mandatory
You must inform us of any health conditions or physical limitations
Private tours, transfers, and lunch boxes are available upon advance request
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Very nice hike, i recommend to wake up early and be there for the sunrise - an unforgettable experience!
This is a climb to take seriously. It has all the conditions that can cause you problems if you are not prepared physically and equipment wise. It can be done quite quickly, both up and down, when your legs are fit, and the weather cooperates. But on any mountain weather conditions can become miserable very quickly, and get worse from there. My suggestion is to work on your quads before you come to the islands. Going down the mountain is often stated to be much more difficult. For me this was true. Bring a sturdy tent, a nice pad, and a warm sleeping bag, if you are staying in the crater. And PLEASE pack out, or at least bury your TP! Finally, seriously think twice about bringing young teens on the mountain. I saw a few on my trip a couple days ago. The weather was miserable and so were they. I expect that the parents had to turn around, even though they had spent the dough on some fancy rain gear for everyone... It is an epic climb, and when you see the sunset/sunrise, it is Truely humbling..
The absolute key factor to consider for this hike is the weather. We were lucky to catch a beautiful, sunny day, a time window, as the following three days were filled with rain, and the trail was either closed or not enjoyable. If you're planning the hike, flexibility might be essential. The booking system, however, enforces making a decision many weeks ahead, so it's hard to say what to do if you booked a rainy day. Please drop a note if you know. As for difficulty, you really don’t need a guide unless you've never experienced an ascent and descent of 1000 meters before. For anyone with average fitness, the ascent is straightforward and very manageable. The descent is a bit more challenging; good shoes are surely recommended. Trekking poles can help too. We didn't use any, but they would definitely have made parts of the descent easier. We were a family of four, with two teenagers, and managed the hike without issues. The only negative experience was at the very start, where our son's shoes were scrutinized intensely. Although they were worn, they were certainly better than some others we saw on the trail. Also, in older reviews I read, people went with extremely worn-out shoes. In real life, it felt a bit excessive — almost like kids in kindergarten being inspected, or horses and their feet. Even my one-year-old Gore-Tex shoes were questioned for a few seconds. One staff member (the 'bad' policeman) was extremely strict, while the other (the 'good' one) has by coincidence stock of shoes for rent for €20 pair, which left us with a bit of a bad taste but yes, if the only alternative was to cancel completely, we paid 'happily' and with the feeling of relief... To my personal taste, it is over-regulated. I prefer more personal freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. And if I accept it makes sense to perform these checks there should be more justice as we met people with much much worse footware on the trail. The only thing though I REALLY criticize is that nowhere in the permit process it is mentioned that you might be DENIED entry based on your footwear. This lack of transparency can really throw your plans off and maybe even be interpreted as a small 'secondary income' by someone. It is controversial — I acknowledge my 18 years old son's shoes were not perfect, our and his responsibility for not double-checking, and their website mentioned the shoes. In my opinion, though, it should be in big letters or a checkbox explicitly and transparently mentioning the risk of NOT BEING PERMITTED TO ENTER at all! What we appreciated was the limited number of daily visitors. It was challenging to pass a slower large guided tour, but it happened only twice to us; the rest of the time we went at our own pace, greeting couples or small groups up and down, which was very nice. All in all, I understand it is not easy to organize an event where demand surely outnumbers supply, so after all, I still think it is organized well and not a reason to lower 5 stars to 4. Once we got past the most rocky part, the bureaucracy, the hike was absolutely amazing. The views were stunning, and the final scramble to the summit, leaving our backpacks in the crater and using hands for the last stretch, felt adventurous and fun. I've climbed peaks around the world, but this one stands out for its unreal combination of THE OCEAN, clouds, and rugged volcanic landscape. Truly one of the most memorable views I've ever seen.
The trail is just for mountain clamper. It’s not just a walk. There is not just one way, you need to find your way your self. You have 48 check points but a lot of trails from point to point. It was an amazing experience I don’t want to miss.
We joined the guided hike to the summit of Pico, and it was an unforgettable experience! The weather changed constantly—ranging from rain to sunshine to strong winds (we went in July)—so better be prepared for that. The trail itself is of medium difficulty, and it took our group of about 15 people around 7 hours for the round trip. Reaching the top was incredibly rewarding, with breathtaking views along the way. If you’re visiting Pico, this is definitely something you shouldn’t miss!
