Entre Montes

Entre Montes explores the Porto Pim peninsula between Monte da Guia and Monte Queimado. Its beginning beside the beach places the walk in a landscape where geology, maritime defence and transatlantic communications overlap. The climb passes the Ocean Observatory and reaches Lira viewpoint, overlooking the bay and São Sebastião fortress. Fortifications from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries recall the importance of this sheltered harbour.

The path circles Monte da Guia, passes Nossa Senhora da Guia chapel and continues with the Caldeirinhas craters facing the sea. On the descent are Porto Pim Aquarium and the Dabney House, associated with a family that left a substantial architectural legacy in Horta. The peninsula also played a central role in communications between Europe and America after the first submarine telegraph cable arrived in 1893.

At the beach, the route changes to Monte Queimado. It follows Rua da Rosa and climbs toward the summit, where views open across the marina and Horta. The descent returns to the original car park. This is an easy, short circuit but unusually rich in context: two volcanoes, one bay, fortifications, whaling history and submarine cables fit within a walk close to the city.

Begin in the car park beside Porto Pim beach. Pass the Ocean Observatory with the building on your right and climb to Lira viewpoint. Continue to the road, turn right and pass Nossa Senhora da Guia chapel. Head south with the Caldeirinhas on the left, then turn north with views over the beach. Descend past Porto Pim Aquarium and the Dabney House. Beside the sand, turn left and follow the beachfront toward Monte Queimado. At the far end, enter Rua da Rosa and turn right for the climb. Pause below the summit for the marina view and follow the marked descent back to the original car park.