Monte Brasil is the extinct volcanic peninsula that juts into the Atlantic to shelter Angra's harbor — without it, the anchorage that made the city important wouldn't exist. The peninsula is now a nature reserve with walking trails through a dense cover of subtropical laurisilva forest: laurel, juniper, heather, and the ferns and mosses that thrive in the Azores' persistent cloud. The forest feels ancient and otherworldly in the fog that frequently hangs on the higher ground, though the summit clears regularly and the views are exceptional when it does.
The walking trails are well-maintained and range from easy circuit paths around the lower slopes to the longer ascent to the summit viewpoint, which takes in the city of Angra below, the harbor entrance with its fort, and on clear days the volcanic peaks of the island interior. The Forte de São João Baptista occupies the base of the peninsula, so a walk on Monte Brasil combines naturally with a visit to the fortifications. Allow two to three hours for a proper circuit that includes the summit; less if you're just doing the lower trails. Start early in the morning when the forest is quietest and the chances of clear views are highest.