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Montanha do Pico

Montanha do Pico — the trail guide

The Montanha do Pico is a 7.6 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 1 day, with 1148 m of total ascent. It rates Hard on our published rubric (151 m of gain per km, topping out at 2238 m).

The PRC4 PIC Montanha trail is the only legal way up Portugal's highest mountain. From Casa da Montanha at about 1,230 m it gains roughly 1,150 m in just 3.8 kilometres, which makes it relentlessly steep almost from the first marker. Forty-seven numbered wooden posts lead over dirt, bare rock, gravel and mud to the crater rim. From there the last post points across the crater floor to the Piquinho, the 70-metre cone carrying the 2,351 m summit and a vent that still steams. There is no alternative path and no loop — you descend the way you came. On a clear day the neighbouring islands of Faial, São Jorge and Graciosa are all visible from the top.

Quick facts

Distance7.6 km
Total ascent1148 m
Typical duration1 day
Difficulty (computed)Hard
Steepness151 m gain per km
High point2238 m
CountryPortugal
RegionPortugal

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Hard" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 1232 m · high point 2238 m · 1148 m total ascent over 7.6 km.

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Montanha do Pico?

The Montanha do Pico is 7.6 km, and most hikers complete it in 1 day. Total elevation gain is 1148 m.

How difficult is the Montanha do Pico?

It rates Hard on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 151 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 2238 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Where is the Montanha do Pico?

In Portugal. The route starts near 38.471, -28.427 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.