Pico Alto, literally translated to the High Peak, is the highest point of Santa Maria, one of the 9 islands in the Azores. This elevation reaches 587 meters above sea level, or 1 925 feet. From up there, you can enjoy one of the greatest views over Santa Maria Island with the green pastures, patches of vegetation, some picturesque villages, the coast, and the infinite Atlantic Ocean.
Discover more about this beautiful place. How to go, what to do, and more historic facts about this must-visit during your holiday on the Yellow Island.
What is Pico Alto?
Pico Alto is the tallest mountain on Santa Maria, the island of the sun. It resulted from a phase of intense volcanism created by submarine eruptions about 5 million years ago. This singular peak on the island captures the clouds, creating a humid area with lush vegetation.
In this area, you will encounter native vegetation reintroduced by authorities, such as Azorean Heather (Vaccinium cylindraceum) and Azores Laurel (Laurus azorica). In terms of fauna, you can watch many birds around the vicinity. Observe the famous and mini Regulus regulus sanctaemariae, an endemic subspecies only present in Santa Maria. There are some unique arthropods of Athous pomboi, Donus multifidus, Tarphius pomboi, or Tarphius serranoi.
Saviez-vous que
At Pico Alto, three different planes have already crashed: a Douglas C-54 in 1945, a Piper Aztec in 1964, and a Boeing 707-300 in 1989. On the trail around the peak, you can find a monument in honor of the 144 passengers who died during the incident.
Plan Your Visit to Pico Alto
How to Get to Pico Alto
Pico Alto is located in Santa Bárbara parish, on Santa Maria island.
From Vila do Porto, the main town on the island of Santa Maria, take a rental car or a taxi following the main road (EN1-2A) eastwards until you cross the village of Almagreira. When you get out of the village, take the secondary road on the left until you reach the parking lot. In total, it takes about 17 minutes by car to cover 10km from Vila do Porto.
Around Pico Alto, there is the PRC02 SMA hiking trail to discover the area by foot. This is a loop of 6.2km, medium difficulty level and about 2 hours walk. Another great way to explore Pico Alto.
Vous prévoyez un voyage aux Açores ? Ces articles vous aideront: Comment se rendre aux Açores 🗺️ | Aéroports des Açores 🛬 | Vols entre les îles ✈️ | Ferries entre les îles ⛴️ | Quelle île choisir ? 🏝️ | Quelles sont les compagnies aériennes qui desservent les Açores ? 🛩️
Meilleure période pour visiter
The best time to visit Pico Alto in Santa Maria depends on how you are planning to reach it. If you drive, the walk to the top is quite short, so you can go pretty much any time of day. However, if you plan to hike, start in the morning or early afternoon to manage your time comfortably. Aim for a morning start to avoid the midday heat and complete your trek before sunset for safety.
Consultez tous nos articles sur le temps qu'il fait aux Açores tout au long de l'année 🌤️ ☔️ : Janvier | Février | Mars | Avril | Mai | Juin | Juillet | Août | Septembre | Octobre | Novembre | Décbraise
Conseils de pro
For hikers, remember to take water, snacks, a rain jacket, a hat, and sunscreen, depending on the weather. Although this is not a difficult trail, you should wear proper hiking shoes and wear layers of clothing.
Also, don’t miss the casemates of Pico Alto, a historic touch to your visit to the island’s highest peak. The Portuguese Air Force built these facilities in 1956 during the Cold War following the Warsaw Pact. They designed the site specifically to host a new radar station. Even though they are not fully operating nowadays, they serve as a radio transmission.
Guide des Açores
Langue et expressions açoriennes 🗣️ | Monnaie et banques 💵 | Cartes de crédit et chèques de voyage 🏧 | Conduire dans les Açores 🚗 | L'électricité 🔌 | Expériences et visites 🗺️ | Santé et sécurité 🩺 | Accès Internet et Wi-Fi 🛜 | Téléphones et services mobiles 📞 | Bureaux de poste et achat de timbres ✉️ | Jours fériés 🏖️ | Achats 🛒 | Heure et lumière du jour 🕒 | Guide d'observation des baleines 🐳 | Meilleure île à visiter 🏞️
Attractions à proximité
Praia de São Lourenço
Praia de São Lourenço, on the northeastern coast of Santa Maria, is one of the island’s main attractions, shaped by a semicircular volcanic crater that now forms a picturesque bay. Surrounded by traditional terraced vineyards built from basalt stone, this beach is completely iconic.
This is one of the few beaches with light-colored sand in the Azores. Its crystal-clear, usually calm waters make it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. It also features a natural pool, a quiet and scenic spot for bathing, ideal for kids.
Praia de São Lourenço offers excellent infrastructure for all visitors. The beach area provides restrooms, showers, parking, and even a local bar. Miradouro de São Lourenço guarantees a postcard-worthy panoramic view that you cannot miss.
→ Poste connexe: Les meilleures plages des Açores. En savoir plus!
Barreiro da Faneca
Barreiro da Faneca, on the northern side of Santa Maria, is a unique geological phenomenon. Locals often call this protected area the ‘Red Desert of the Azores. Arid, clay-rich soil with intense red and orange tones defines the landscape’s character. The landscape is wavy, making it look like a completely different planet.
There, you can enjoy the desert almost to yourself, depending on the time of day and the season of the year, as many people go to Santa Maria to spend time on the beach. Plus, this is quite a small area, so once you have enjoyed the red rolling hills and taken plenty of pictures, there is not much else to do.
Barreiro da Faneca is easily accessible by car, with a road leading there. Alternatively, visitors can explore walking trails such as the Costa Norte trail (PR01SMA) or parts of the island’s long-distance route (GR01SMA), which go through the red clay landscape.
Vila do Porto
Vila do Porto is the capital of the island of Santa Maria and is located in the parish and municipality of the same name. Founded in 1432 by Gonçalo Velho Cabral, Vila do Porto was the first town in the Azorean archipelago. However, settlers founded the municipality of Vila do Porto in 1470. Five parishes: Almagreira, Santa Bárbara, Santo Espírito, São Pedro, and Vila do Porto – subdivide the municipality.
Si vous êtes de passage sur l'île, ne manquez pas de visiter les principales attractions de Vila do Porto :
- Miradouro de São Lourenço ;
- Pico Alto ;
- Phare de Gonçalo Velho ;
- Baía da Raposo ;
- Grotte de Figueiral ;
- Baía dos Anjos ;
- Entre autres.
Praia Formosa
Praia Formosa lies on the southern coast of Santa Maria. It is famous for being one of the few beaches in the Azores with clear sand extending for about 1 kilometer.
The waters at Praia Formosa are exceptionally clear, warm, and shallow, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The water temperature is suitable for bathing year-round. From Miradouro da Macela, enjoy the panorama of the beach, bay, and coast around.
Its water quality and facilities earn the Blue Flag every year. The beach provides excellent equipment for all visitors, including parking, showers, and toilets. A restaurant, seasonal lifeguards, and full accessibility for people with mobility issues complete the services. At one end of the beach, there is also a campsite, offering budget-friendly accommodation with direct access to the sand.
Praia Formosa is about 10 minutes by car from Vila do Porto, with easy access. In Août, Praia Formosa hosts the Maré de Agosto Festival. Held annually since 1984, the event attracts many people from Santa Maria and other islands.
Consultez tous nos articles sur chacun des points d'intérêt les plus importants de l'île de Santa Maria: Praia Formosa | Barreiro da Faneca | Cascata do Aveiro | Miradouro Vigia da Baleia | Pico Alto
Informations complémentaires
Meilleure saison pour visiter les Açores
L'archipel des Açores bénéficie d'un climat unique qui façonne ses paysages luxuriants et en fait une destination splendide tout au long de l'année. Avec des températures douces et des fluctuations minimes, chaque saison offre quelque chose d'unique. Le printemps affiche une température moyenne de 16 °C, l'été atteint 21 °C, l'automne se rafraîchit à 18 °C et l'hiver reste doux à 14 °C.
→ Pour une analyse détaillée du temps par mois, consultez les liens suivants 🌤️☔️ : Janvier | Février | Mars | Avril | Mai | Juin | Juillet | Août | Septembre | Octobre | Novembre | Décbraise
Comment se rendre aux Açores
L'archipel des Açores est facilement accessible grâce à de nombreuses liaisons aériennes. Lisbonne et Porto sont les principaux points d'entrée sur le continent, avec des vols directs à destination de São Miguel (PDL), Terceira (TER), Faial (HOR), Pico (PIX), et Santa Maria (SMA). Pour trouver le meilleur vol, utilisez des moteurs de recherche tels que eDreams ou Skyscanner. Ces plateformes vous permettent de comparer les prix et les horaires de plusieurs compagnies aériennes en un seul endroit.
Pour plus de détails sur la façon de se rendre aux Açores, consultez notre rubrique guide complet. Mais qu'en est-il si vous souhaitez explorer d'autres régions que l'île d'arrivée ? Nous avons ce qu'il vous faut !
- Aéroports des Açores 🛬
- Vols entre les îles ✈️
- Ferries entre les îles ⛴️
- Quelle île choisir ? 🏝️
- Quelles sont les compagnies aériennes qui desservent les Açores ? 🛩️
→ Une fois que vous avez trouvé l'itinéraire idéal, réservez vos billets et préparez-vous à découvrir l'un des groupes d'îles les plus étonnants au monde !
Les essentiels du voyage
Informations essentielles pour votre voyage aux Açores : Langue et expressions açoriennes 🗣️ | Monnaie et banques 💵 | Cartes de crédit et chèques de voyage 🏧 | Conduire dans les Açores 🚗 | L'électricité 🔌 | Expériences et visites 🗺️ | Santé et sécurité 🩺 | Accès Internet et Wi-Fi 🛜 | Téléphones et services mobiles 📞 | Bureaux de poste et achat de timbres ✉️ | Jours fériés 🏖️ | Achats 🛒 | Heure et lumière du jour 🕒 | Guide d'observation des baleines 🐳 | Meilleure île à visiter 🏞️
Outils et applications utiles
Le temps aux Açores peut être variable, il est donc utile d'utiliser quelques applications avant de visiter les îles. Spotazores fournit des images en direct des principales attractions touristiques, ce qui vous permet de vérifier le temps qu'il fait et de planifier votre visite. Pour des prévisions météorologiques précises, utilisez Venteux ou Windguru - ils fournissent les prévisions les plus fiables.
Vidéo
Conclusion
Pico Alto is like the crown of Santa Maria, and you cannot visit the Yellow island without stopping by its highest point, which is easily accessible. It offers an amazing panoramic view of the island’s diverse landscapes, from green pastures and scenic cliffs to quaint villages, all framed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Beyond its beauty, ancient volcanic eruptions molded Pico Alto into a significant geological landmark. It plays a significant role in the island’s ecosystem, hosting unique flora and fauna. The peak is also a site of historical relevance, from Cold War radar casemates to the tragic air crashes memorialized near the summit. Thanks to the hiking trail around it, you can discover the various faces of Pico Alto.
Visiting Pico Alto is a must to fully discover Santa Maria. You can easily fit this spot into your itinerary, whether you have only a short amount of time or plenty.
