Road to Mount Pico, Portugal

© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Image

The road less taken?. Mount Pico, Portugal

At almost 2,440 metres above sea level, Mount Pico is the highest point on Pico Island in the Azores, a collection of islands in the Atlantic Ocean known as an autonomous region of Portugal. This stratovolcano made of basaltic lava that has been lying dormant since December 1720. However, a 1562 eruption of Mount Pico lasted for more than two years. One of the most prominent sites in the Azores, Mount Pico is a popular hiking destination that allows determined visitors to reach the summit. The apex offers stunning views of Pico Island and many other islands around it, making a difficult climb that is absolutely worth it.