Morro do Pico

Origin and Localization

The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is situated four degrees below the Equator line, at 3°54' S latitude and 32°25' W longitude. The distance to Recife, capital of the State of Pernambuco, is 545 km, to Natal, capital of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, 360 km and to Fortaleza, capital of the State of Ceará, 710 km. Actually the Archipelago is formed by the mountain peaks of a volcanic cordillera, which base is located about 4.000 meters depth, the Atlantic Median Dorsum.
The main island has 17 km², with a length of about 10 km and a maximum width of 3,5 km. Its perimeter has about 60 km. The island is uneven, has various elevations, from which the most important are: the Morro do Pico (Peak Mount) with 323 m; Morro do Espinhaço (Spine Mount) with 223 m; Morro do Francês (Frenchman Mount) with 195 m; Alto da Bandeira (Flag Height) with 160 m; Morro do Curral (Farmyard Mount) with 126 m; and Morro de Sto. Antônio (Saint Antony Mount) with 105 m.

Total Area
21 islands, cliffs and islets with a total area of about 26 km², whereby the main island has an area of 17 km², form the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.

Overview

Morro do Pico is the highest point of Fernando de Noronha Island, a volcanic formation with more than 4000m of depth. Fernando de Noronha is just the top of this big oceanic mountain, only 323m above the sea level. An impressive place with big walls, and the Ocean crashing in the north wall. From anywhere in the island is possible to see this peak, an impressive 360° mirador.

Getting There

You have two options by plane. There are two daily flights from Recife and also two from Natal. By sea you can make an unforgettable cruise on board of ships, which visit Noronha between October and February.

Information about flight timetable:
Nordeste - Varig (phone: 0300 788 7000)

Trip – Airlines:
Fernando de Noronha Airport- Fone: 55(0xx81) 3619-1148 / Fax: (81) 3619-1487
Natal Airport - phone: 55(0xx84) 643-1450 / Fax: (84) 643-2400
Recife Airport - phone: 55(0xx81) 3464-4610 / Fax: (81) 3464-4760
Informations : 0300 789 8747


The main district in Fernando de Noronha is Vila dos Remedios, 4km from Boldró beach by land road.
To get the base of Morro do Pico, you have to go to Boldró or Bode Beach. Arriving there, look to the continental portion and seek the trail to the base. Both are possible to see the continental portion and have trails to joining this two beaches. The trail is short, steep and slippery, and the final portion starts the climbing but, if you are a rock experient climber, it’s very easy. The summit is a little place, but have an impressive overview from upthere.

Red Tape

To visit Fernando de Noronha, is obligatory to pay the Environment Preservation Tax how many days you stay there.
To climb Morro do Pico, you haven’t to pay nothing, just the guide ( US$ 25/ person ).

Days in Fernando de Noronha

TPA Tax in R$ (US$)

1 32,12 ( 14,30 )
2 64,26 ( 28,60 )
3 96,38 ( 43.40 )
4 128,51 ( 57,35 )
5 157,42 ( 70,90 )
6 178,30 ( 79,50 )
7 199,19 ( 88,90 )
8 220,07 ( 98,20 )
9 240,94 ( 107,50 )
10 261,84 ( 116,80 )
11 361,43 ( 161,35 )
12 409,63 ( 182,80 )
13 465,84 ( 207,90 )
14 530,10 ( 236,60 )
15 602,39 ( 268,90 )
US$ 1 = R$ 2,24 ( Exchange rate January 25, 2006 )

Exchange rate June 18, 2007 : US$ 1 = R$ 1,95

When To Climb

Tropical, hot oceanic, with well defined seasons climate. Average rain falls of 1,300 mm per year, with greater indexes between March and May and drought between August and January. Average temperature 25,4° C. Constant winds with predominant SE direction, average speed of 6,6 m/s and greater intensities between July and August. Relative humidity almost constant with an yearly average of 81%. Average sunshine rate: maximum in November (312,5 hours) and minimum in April (216,8 hours).
Best season to climb Morro do Pico is April to September.

Camping

There aren't camping areas in Fernando de Noronha and it's forbidden in beaches or inside the National Park. Go to the hotels or the little inns in the island.
Pousada da Morena is the best place to stay in the archipelago.

Mountain Conditions

The trail and the routes to Morro do Pico are clear, not signalized and, it’s advisable to walk with a local guide. There aren’t water fountains, local maps and any register of climbing routes.

Weather in Fernando de Noronha:

What to Take

Clothes, slippers, sun glasses, diving equipment, which can also be hired in the island and a lot of disposition. Take also live money with you, as most of the shops in the Archipelago do not accept credit cards. The only bank that has an agency in the Archipelago is the Banco Real and there are no exchange offices.

Water Sources

There are no perennial water flows. The small basins, the reduced water retention capacity and the pronounced dry climate provide temporary brooks, like: Mulungú Brook (Cachorro Beach), Atalaia Brook (Atalaia Beach) and Maceió Brook, this one more important, as it feeds the Xaréu Storage Dam, which supplies the population with water (Southeast Bay).

Images

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