This hike is one of Madeira’s must-dos! You’ll discover the island’s 3 highest peaks, starting with Pico do Arieiro at 1818m. We loved it for everything we saw along the way: the lush valley and the ocean, the craggy peaks licked by the clouds. Also wildlife, sunrise over the sea of clouds and much more. We promise you that there’s nothing monotonous about this excursion!
Here are some useful tips for planning your hike from Pico do Arieiro in Madeira.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Tour summary
- Distance: 12km round trip between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo
- Duration: 7h to 9h round trip
- Difficulty: difficult
- Altitude gain: over 1,313m
Is the hike between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo worth it? Our review
Without a doubt! If you like walking, we recommend that you don’t miss this walk to discover the island’s peaks.
The panoramas along the way are breathtaking. We enjoyed watching the sunrise from Pico do Arieiro and traversing the narrow passages on the mountainside. And let’s not forget the various viewpoints or the view from Pico Ruivo. The whole course is absolutely magnificent.
This is one of Madeira’s most beautiful hikes, and one of the island’s must-see places.
What’s more, we liked the fact that unlike other long hikes that can become monotonous, this one stands out for its great diversity. You’ll find that the course’s terrain is varied. So the difficulty is not permanent. Easier sections on flat terrain punctuate the ride. This is one of Madeira’s most beautiful hikes!
Our favorite moments:
- Sunrise over the sea of clouds
- The incredible view from the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
- Arrival at Madeira’s highest point: Pico Ruivo
Explore Madeira’s peaks at sunrise with a round-trip transfer from your hotel. See prices and book
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 120 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 260 photos to help you choose
What are the difficulties?
Here are the main difficulties we encountered along the way:
- A total vertical drop of around 1000m
- Numerous passages with long series of sometimes steep steps (which will have to be climbed on the way back).
- Some narrow stretches along the ridges with breathtaking views
- Variations in floor type: earth, slabs, stairs…
- However, the difficulty is not permanent. Easier sections on flat terrain punctuate the ride.
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Access
Where Pico do Arieiro is – map
- The road to Pico de Arieiro is very well maintained and easy to drive. Take the ER103 from Funchal or Porto da Cruz.
- Funchal to Pico do Arieiro = 40min drive
- Porto da Cruz to Pico do Arieiro = 40min drive
- Machico to Pico do Arieiro = 40min drive
- It’s not possible to get there by public transport.
Here’s a map to help you find your way:
Access by car and parking
The hiking parking lot at the foot of Pico do Arieiro is very easy to access and well maintained. It’s a large parking lot, but it can be tricky to find a space because it’s so popular. We recommend coming before sunrise for easy parking.
In the parking lot, you’ll find a building with a snack bar, toilets (for a fee), an information center and a souvenir store.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
Useful tips
How long
We recommend you allow between 7 and 9 hours for the round trip between Pico de Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. It all depends on your pace and level of practice.
See below for an alternative way to reduce the hike.
Best moment
- This hike can be enjoyed all year round. In winter it can be cooler at 1800m, but the trail is less busy than in summer. The choice is yours!
- It’s best to walk in the morning or at the end of the day, as there’s no shade on the trail. What’s more, Pico do Arieiro is famous for its majestic sunrises and sunsets.
- As for the weather, don’t opt for a cloudy day, as you won’t be able to see 2 meters. Here’s how weather conditions change:
- If the weather is clear and cloudless, you’ll be able to see the whole valley, its flora and fauna.
- If the clouds are low, you’ll be surrounded by a sea of clouds, with glimpses of rocky peaks. This creates a particularly impressive atmosphere.
- If there’s a light veil of cloud, you’ll be able to see the peaks and the landscape slipping behind the clouds from time to time. It’s an entirely different experience.
In conclusion, it’s difficult to define one type of weather as more favorable than another. We recommend you check the webcam, which updates every 15 minutes, here. Here you can see live conditions at the summit. You can also opt for the Madeiraweather app (less than €1), which provides weather forecasts for the Arieiro and Ruivo summits.
The meaning of hiking
This hike is a round trip, so there’s no sense in choosing. However, here’s some information we think you’ll find useful:
- At some point, you may have to choose between 2 trails, depending on the closure of one of them. Check trail status here.
- If you take the eastern path, you’ll skirt Pico Las Torres, the island’s 2nd highest peak. This path is longer, but the view is magnificent.
- If you take the western route, you’ll pass through tunnels and climb stairs, but it’s a shorter route.
- The round-trip format is practical if you don’t feel up to doing the whole hike. In fact, you can turn back at any time.
Reduce hiking
If the round trip is a little too long for you, you can go one way.
Then take the 1h30 descent to Achada do Teixeira via the PR1.2.
From here you can book a transfer back to your car in Pico do Arieiro – see details and availability
Or you can book a shuttle, which takes you to Pico do Arieiro from Funchal for sunrise and picks you up at Achada do Teixeira to take you back down to Funchal – see details and availability.
Hiking with children
We don’t think this is the most suitable hike for children. In fact, it’s quite long and difficult, with many steep staircases, some of which are bordered on either side by sheer cliffs. However, children can enjoy the view from the summit of Pico do Arieiro, a 2-minute walk from the parking lot. You can also visit the Miradouro do Juncal, mentioned in the next section. The path to it is safe.
Start of the tour: Pico do Arieiro
Pico do Arieiro marks the start of the PR1 hike, the island’s most famous, linking Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. At 1818m, it is the 3rd highest peak on the island. Yet it’s very easy to get to: you’ll only have to walk 2min after reaching the end of the road that leads to it. We emphasize this because it’s rare to be able to reach such a high peak so easily!
From its summit, we loved admiring the breathtaking mountain scenery, the verdant valleys, the panorama of the ocean as far as the eye can see, and the sea of clouds. We also watched a splendid sunrise!
Note that there is an alternative viewpoint: Miradouro do Juncal. It’s a little lower, easier to access and less crowded than Pico do Arieiro. To get there, walk for 10 minutes along the path to the right of the observatory.
First viewpoint: Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
This lookout is the first stop on the route. We learned that this place takes its name from the raptor that nests here: the Madeira buzzard. Scientifically known as Buteo Buteo Harterti, it is commonly called Manta by the Portuguese.
Here you’ll find a lovely observation balcony overlooking the valley. Keep your eyes peeled! From this vantage point, you can see São Roque do Faial and the Fajã da Nogueira Valley. We really enjoyed taking in the scenery.
If you want to keep the suspense of what you’ll discover along the way, you can stop reading here. But if your curiosity is as insatiable as ours, we invite you to stay with us for the rest!
2nd viewpoint: Miradouro Pedra Rija
Continuing on, you’ll discover the famous staircase lined with steep precipices. It leads to a platform where you can learn more (thanks to explanatory panels) about the flora and fauna that surround this beautiful hike.
Discover Pico do Gato
After crossing the Tunel do Pico do Gato, you arrive at Pico do Gato via a paved path. This is a key stage of the hike between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. From the summit, you can once again observe a sumptuous landscape. At this stage, you’ll have to climb up and down staircases cut into the stone. It’s a bit of a challenge, but I promise it’s worth it!
We enjoyed admiring the mountainous terrain covered in lush vegetation. They offer a lovely gradation of blue, green and ochre. The breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding peaks are a wonderful reward after the effort.
Snack bar and Refuge
500m before Pico Ruivo, you come across a building.
Here you can relax and enjoy a meal.
An ideal place to take a break and use the (fee-paying) toilets.
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Arrival at Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest point
At the end of the hike, you’ll finally reach Pico Ruivo, the roof of the island. Rising to an altitude of over 1861m, this summit offers breathtaking views of Madeira’s highest peaks, the ocean and abundant vegetation.
Once you’ve caught your breath, revel in the 360° scenery of this beautiful island. We took the time to marvel and observe the mountain ridges. Note the steep cliffs in the heart of Madeira, the vegetation and the birds skimming the peaks.
Last part: back to Pico do Arieiro
Once you’ve reached Madeira’s highest peak, the adventure continues, as you now have to walk in the opposite direction, towards the parking lot. A chance to take one last look at the breathtaking scenery along the trail.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Best of
Things to do in Madeira
Most beautiful viewpoints
Madeira’s most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful gardens
Natural pools
Most beautiful hikes
Most beautiful roads
Secret places
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
