Monte da Guia: the Volcano Cradling Porto Pim Bay (Faial)
Some mountains are born on land. Others are born in the sea. Monte da Guia is one of the latter: a volcanic cone that formed underwater and, over time, fused to Faial through a dune isthmus known as Entre Montes.
A volcano with two craters
Geologically, Monte da Guia is a hyaloclastite tuff cone, the result of underwater eruptions that mostly ejected volcanic ash. It rises to 145 metres and is shaped by two semicircular, partially overlapping craters, now invaded by the sea. This carved-out formation gave rise to the famous Caldeira do Inferno, one of Faial’s most photographed corners.
The chapel that gave the mountain its name
At the summit, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia, patron saint of fishermen, looks out over the city of Horta and Porto Pim Bay. It’s because of this chapel that the mountain got its name. The path to the top starts near the harbour entrance and requires no special effort, making it accessible to most visitors.
Memories of whaling and submarine cables
Monte da Guia was linked for decades to the Azorean whaling industry. Buildings connected to that activity still stand today, alongside traces of the old submarine cable stations that once crossed the Atlantic — a history in which the Dabney family, based in Horta, played a central role.
Getting there and what to know before visiting
- Location: Angústias parish, right by the city of Horta.
- Access: on foot, starting from the entrance to Horta’s harbour, following the path up to the ridge.
- Classification: Protected Landscape, for its geological value and the wildlife it shelters.
Best time to visit
Clear mornings offer the best light for photographing the bay and Pico Island in the background. Outside the peak summer season, the path tends to be much quieter.
Nearby highlights
A few minutes’ walk away is Porto Pim beach and the Horta Marina, with its painted seawalls. It’s well worth combining both stops in the same walk around the city.
After Monte da Guia, keep exploring Faial: the central Caldeira and the Capelinhos Volcano are a short drive away and reveal other faces of the island’s volcanic story.
Featured image — Photo: José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa / Wikimedia Commons, public domain
