Picota Summit and Fire Lookout Tower

The ascent leads through shady eucalyptus forests. The view on clear days is fantastic. From the summit you can see the entire Algarve coast and the Serra de Monchique in a 360° panorama. Be careful when climbing - there are sometimes free-roaming, highly aggressive guard dogs near farms. I recommend that everyone takes pepper spray with them on the tour

Great panoramic view to the sea in the south. Nice climb on small paths from Monchique. You can either follow the markings of the "Via Algarviana" (red/white) or the circular hiking trail "Caminho Caldas - Picota" (yellow/red). The path leads past farms and through shady cork oak forests.
The descent to Caldas de Monchique leads mainly along farm tracks and small roads that offer little shade. But it is definitely worth it because of the great views and the beautiful vegetation.
From Caldas you can either hike directly back to Monchique (although this will add up to a few kilometers and meters in altitude) or take the bus.

Picota is the second highest mountain in the Algarve, with a concrete block at the summit and a fire station.
After a devastating fire broke out here in 2018, the slopes are guarded to detect the fire in time.