Mountain Guide Samuel Passos

My name is Samuel Passos and I have over 32 year’s experience in the mountains, which is undoubtedly an asset for anyone booking the activities on offer. I live in the center of Serra da Estrela, in Manteigas Village.

I would be delighted to be your guide on the highest mountain in mainland Portugal, the magnificent Serra da Estrela. A unique area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which still has so much to explore, revealing its geology, its stories and legends, not to mention the chance to sample the delicious local mountain cuisine.

I’m also the founder and Mountain Guide at www.trilhosecumes.com, founder of www.tourserradaestrela.eu and one of the founders of the amazing trekking www.altarotadaserradaestrela.com

Author of the literary work “Memórias e Viagens de Montanha” and, for a young audience, “O que é o Montanhismo?”

Come with me and discover what nobody else shows you about the highest mountain in mainland Portugal.

  • Professional Sports Coaching Qualifications - Mountain Guide - , by Portuguese Mountaineering National School:

    • No. 2332 – Mountaineering (Instructor) – Level II

    • No. 8676 – Rock Climbing (Beginner) – Level I

    Via Ferrata Guide accredited by Portuguese Tourism.

    Certified by Portuguese Tourism in Safety Plans for Outdoor Activities

    Certificate of Professional Competence as an EDF Trainer 557910/2011 DL (I.E.F.P.)

    Founder of www.trilhosecumes.com

    Founder of www.tourserradaestrela.eu

    One of the founders of www.altarotadaserradaestrela.com

    • Mountaineering courses taught: 47

    • Sport climbing courses taught: 30

    • Introductory alpinism courses taught: 21

    • Snowshoeing courses taught: 1

    • Zero accidents during activities and training sessions.

    • Author of the book Memórias e Viagens de Montanha

    • Author of the children’s book O que é o Montanhismo?

    • Has climbed the 18 highest mountains in each district of mainland Portugal.

    • Serra do Risco, Cume Píncaro – 380 metres above sea level – from 1992 to 2015 (winter and summer)

    • Serra da Arrábida, Formosinho Summit – 501 metres above sea level – from 1992 to 2015 (winter and summer)

    • Serra da Estrela – from 1998 to 2017, every month on almost every weekend. (He has lived in the heart of the Serra da Estrela since 2018)

    • Sierra de Gredos, Almanzor Summit – 2,592 metres above sea level – via the Via Portilla del Crampon from 2003 to 2027 (winter and summer)

    • Monte Perdido, La Escupidera route – 3,355 metres above sea level – 2003, solo

    • Monte Perdido, La Escupidera route – 3,355 metres above sea level – in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.

    • Sierra Nevada, Veleta Peak – 3,398 metres – 2005 (winter)

    • Mont Blanc – 4,807 metres – and Dôme du Goûter – 4,304 metres – solo in August 2009

    • Mont Blanc – 4,807 metres – and Dôme du Goûter – 4,304 metres – without physical preparation or altitude medication in August 2016

    • Breithorn – 4,160 metres – without physical preparation or altitude medication in August 2016

    • Trekking to Everest Base Camp – 5,354 metres above sea level – in 2017, 2019 and 2025 without physical preparation or altitude medication.

    • Kala Patthar – 5,545 metres above sea level – in 2017, 2019 and 2025 without physical preparation or altitude medication.

    • Sierra Nevada, Hoya del Portillo – Poqueira Refuge – La Caldeira Refuge – Mulhacén Summit – 3,479 metres above sea level – Hoya del Portillo, 2023 in 16 hours.

    • Serra da Estrela, cross-country skiing from Penhas da Saúde – Nave de Santo António – Torre – Nave de Santo António, along the snow-covered road. Following the heavy snowfall in March 2024. A short video of the descent can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/TrilhosECumes/videos/2191954727822922

    • Via ferratas in 2024: Castelo de Vide – K2, Moradal K2/K3, Talhadas K3, Pinheirinhos K3 and Santa Luzia (considered the most difficult in Portugal) K4/K5.

    • Serra da Estrela, Cross-country skiing: Penhas da Saúde – Poios Brancos – Penhas da Saúde. 2023, 2024 and 2025

    • Snowshoeing: Penhas da Saúde – Torre – Penhas da Saúde. 2024

    • Ski Touring and Alpinism, Penhas da Saúde – Covão de Ferro – Corredor Gêmeo – Penhas da Saúde, 2024

    • Sierra Nevada, Mulhacen Summit – 3,479 metres above sea level – in 2024, 2025

    • Toubkal – 4,167 metres above sea level – Ras N’Ouanoukrim – 4,089 metres above sea level – Timezguida – 4,083 metres above sea level - Aikioud – 4,045 metres above sea level – Peco Ras – 4,085 metres above sea level – without physical preparation or altitude medication, in November 2024, 2025 and 2026.

    • Kilimanjaro – 5,895 metres above sea level – via the second most difficult route, the Machame Route, in 2023 and 2024, without physical preparation or altitude medication.

    • Classic Machu Picchu Trek, Colourful Mountain and Red Valley, 2024,2026.

    • Via Ferrata in 2025: Santa Luzia K4/K5.

    • Pico Island, Piquinho, Portugal’s highest point – 2,351 metres above sea level – September 2025 and 2026.

    • Via Ferrata routes in 2026 in the Picos de Europa: El Milar K3, La Ermida K3 and Escalera al Cielo K4.

    • Lead climbing grade: VI

    • 1st place in the difficulty climbing competition, 2002

    • 2nd place in the speed climbing competition, 2002