Pico Ruivo hike - Madeira

Pico Ruivo is the third highest point in Portugal and the highest peak in Madeira, at 1862 metres.
In good weather conditions, the island of Porto Santo and the Desertas group of islands can be seen from Pico Ruivo.
The flora is mainly characterised by high mountain shrubs and monumental rock formations dominating the landscape, rising above the clouds.
Pico Ruivo, towering above the ridges and valleys of the island, is a great place to watch the sunset and sunrise. There are several different routes to the peak, but the easiest and quickest starts from Achada do Teixeira (about 6 kilometres round trip). The route is not too steep, with a difference in elevation of only 260 metres, making it easy to complete in the dark, before sunrise or after sunset.
The other most popular hiking trail starts from the tourist hut at the base of Pico do Areeiro. The Pico do Areeiro is the third highest peak in Madeira and is also a popular place to see the sunrise.

Table of Contents

Useful information

Basic information about hikes

How to get there

Pico Ruivo hikes map

Detailed description of tours

PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro
PR1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo

Sunrise on Pico Areeiro

Useful information

Pico Ruivo is the highest peak in Madeira and can be reached by four hiking routes. The two most popular choices are PR1 and PR 1.2.
PR1 is the more difficult and much more strenuous hike, while PR 1.2 is easier and shorter, and is the route chosen by most tourists. PR1.1 and PR1.3 are not as popular because of their length.

The three highest peaks in Madeira

Pico Ruivo (1862 m)
Pico das Torres (1851 m)
Pico do Areeiro (1817 m)

Pico Ruivo hiking trails

PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro 6,1 km / 7 km
PR 1.1 Vereda da Ilha. 8,2 km
PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo. 2,8 km
PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada 11,2 km

(Distances are in one direction.)

Comparison of PR1 and PR1.2 tours

PR 1 – Vereda do Areeiro

The starting point for the PR1 tour is Pico do Areeiro, the 3rd highest peak in Madeira. The car park is about 20 km and 40 minutes from Funchal. It is more difficult and much more demanding than PR1.2 as it touches the 3 highest peaks in Madeira. Depending on your level of fitness I would put it in the medium / difficult category.

PR 1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo

This is the route chosen by the majority of tourists and is therefore much more crowded in good weather. The starting point for the Parking PR1.2 is Achada do Teixeira, which is about 50 km / 1 hour from Funchal. This is a much easier and shorter hike, with a minimum of elevation gain.

The hikes meet at the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo tourist chalet below the summit. There are toilets, water facilities and a snack bar.

Basic information about hikes

PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro

Difficulty: medium / difficult
Distance: 7 km – VE / 6,1 km – VO (one way)
Duration: 3:00 / 3:30 hours
Highest point: 1857 m
Lowest point: 1491 m

PR1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruivo

Difficulty: medium
Distance: 2.8 km (one way)
Duration: 1:30 hours
Highest point: 1857 m
Lowest point: 1582 m*
*the official trekking map and the visitmadeira.com website are wrong, but the graph showing the difference in altitude is correct.

Did you know?

Madeira is one of the best canyoning destinations in the world!

Madeira is one of the best canyoning destinations in the world, as deep valleys, waterfalls, natural pools and huge rocks mark the landscape of many areas.
There are extremely difficult routes on the north side of the island, but most visitors go along the river Ribeira das Cales (Parque Ecológico do Funchal), Ribeiro Frio (Parque Natural do Ribeiro Frio) or Ribeira do Lajeado.
Boost your adrenaline level with Canyoning!

Canyoning – reservation

How to get there and combine the hikes

By car

Regardless of which route you choose, by car you are forced to take the same route there and back, because they are one-way and not circular tours. In this case, you can either choose one of the two hiking routes or do both separately (PR1 or PR1.2).

Note that the last section of the route to both parking places is very winding.

Transfer

If you book a transfer, you can combine the hiking routes. Most companies will pick you up in Funchal and drop you off at the starting point of PR1 (Pico Areeiro).

When you reach the peak you don’t need to turn back, but continue on the PR1.2 route. Then at the end of the day pick you up at PR1.2 (Achada do Teixeira) and take you to back Funchal. In my opinion, this is the best option because both trails are amazing. Unfortunately, with a rented car this is not possible as there is no public transport between the two end points.

Pico Ruivo hike transfer
It’s worth booking online in advance as places fill up quickly.
Route: Funchal → transfer → Pico Areeiro → 6.1 km hike → Pico Ruivo peak → 2.8 km hike → Achada do Teixeira → transfer → Funchal.

Pico Ruivo hikes map

Detailed description of tours

PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro

PR1 starts from Pico Areeiro, then climbs to Pico das Torres (1851 m) and finishes at the highest peak of the archipelago, Pico Ruivo (1862 m).
.
Difficulty: medium / difficult
Distance: 7 km – VE / 6,1 km – VO (one way)
Duration: 3:00 / 3:30 hours
Highest point: 1857 m
Lowest point: 1491 m
Departure / Arrival: Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro / Pico Ruivo
Access: by car or shuttle service – book here
Parking: Parque de Estacionamento Pico do Areeiro
Details: PR1 – visitmadeira.com and download tour map

The PR1 hike starts from the tourist hut at the base of Pico do Areeiro, with a paved road along the way. There is a car park, toilets, a snack bar and a souvenir shop. The 6 kilometres hike
links the highest peaks of Madeira.

The hike

It is a truly stunning hiking trail that includes tunnels as well as some steep climbs, staircases and ladders with magnificent views in the heart of the mountains. Those with a problem with heights may find the path terrifying.
TIP! The first 1 km of the hike is the most iconic, with a series of stairs bounded by handrails and chains. Even if you don’t feel fit enough for the full hike, set off and turn back at the Ninho da Manta lookout!
At one point the route splits, take the VO which is shorter and leads through tunnels.

This is the other most exciting part of the hike, as you have to cross tunnels (carry a flashlight or phone) and some sections are literally carved out of the mountain. The narrow path is bordered by a barrier on one side and the mountain on the other.

To reach Pico Ruivo, you have to climb steep steps around the summit of Pico das Torres, then descend again. The most difficult part of the trail, the climb to the Pico Ruivo shelter.
The thought of reaching the highest point on the island helps you to keep going on the strenuous hike.
Below the summit, you will find a shelter (Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo), toilets and a snack bar. From here it’s only a 10-15 minute walk up. In both directions, the last 2 kilometres are the hardest.
Near the Pico Ruivo shelter you will notice the PR 1.2 hiking trail to Achada do Teixeira.

PR1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo

This one-and-a-half hour hike takes you from Achada do Teixeira to the highest peak on the island, Pico Ruivo.
.

Difficulty: easy/intermediate (depending on your level of fitness)
Distance: 2.8 km (one way)
Duration: 1:30 hours
Highest point: 1857 m
Lowest point: 1582 m*
Departure / Arrival: Achada do Teixeira / Pico Ruivo
Access: by car or shuttle service only – book here
Parking: Parking PR1.2 Achada do Teixeira
Details: PR1.2 – visitmadeira.com and download hike map
*is wrong on the official tour map and visitmadeira.com website, but the graph showing the elevation difference is correct.

The hike:

This 2.8km, one-and-half hour hike allows you to take a shorter route, starting from Achada do Teixeira and reaching the highest peak on the island, Pico Ruivo.
From Santana there is an paved road all the way to the car park. There are toilets and a canteen next to the parking places. In good weather you can see the huge white sphere radar station on top of Pico Areeiro in the distance.
The path offers excellent views of the Ribeira Seca valley, the Pico das Torres peak, with Pico do Areeiro in the background.

As you approach the end of the hike, you will also notice the PR1 hiking trail in the distance on the left. Several refuge have been built along Vereda do Pico Ruivo, where you can shelter in case of bad weather. Below the summit there is a larger shelter (Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo), toilets and a canteen. From here it is only a 10-15 minute walk uphill. This is where the hiking trails mentioned above meet.
The trail is well maintained and developed, with a low grade difference, making it suitable for older hikers, families and dogs.
If you book a shuttle, you can combine PR1 and PR1.2 hikes. Details above.

Are you looking for a 4- or 5-star hotel with an excellent rating?

Pestana, the Portuguese hotel chain!

With five decades of history, the Pestana Hotel Group is the largest Portuguese multinational group in the tourism industry. The hotel chain opened its first hotel in Madeira in 1972, the Pestana Carlton Madeira. Currently it also offers accommodation in other the European countries, as well as in America and Africa, with more than 100 hotels and 12,000 rooms.
Pestana has 18 hotels on the archipelago, of which 15 are located in Madeira and 3 in Porto Santo.

Sunrise on Pico Areeiro

If you ask a local on the island what not to miss in Madeira, they’ll tell you sunrise. There are plenty of destinations where it’s worth getting up early for a magnificent sunrise, but this is especially true of Madeira.
Pico do Areeiro (1810m) is the third highest peak in Madeira and definitely one of the most popular places to see the sunrise.
Getting there: it takes about half an hour from Funchal. The 19-kilometre drive is almost entirely on a serpentine road, so it’s worth setting off and arriving early to make sure you don’t miss the moment when the sun emerges from the clouds.
No public transport! If you do not have a car, you will need to book a shuttle.
Viewpoints: you can watch the sunrise from several viewpoints. Be prepared with warm clothes and blankets for the wind!

Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro,
Miradouro do Juncal or
Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

If there are a lot of people at the above lookouts, take the PR1 route until you reach the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta lookout. It’s about 1.2 kilometres from the car park, so there should be a lot fewer people.

Pico Ruivo sunrise - Madeira Bucket List

If you don’t have car, join one of the Sunrise Tours from Funchal. Watch the stunning sunrise at the top of Pico do Areeiro with a buffet breakfast! Afterwards, the programme continues in Camacha, where you can take a leisurely stroll through Paradise Valley. The excursion ends in Funchal.

Need help planning your trip?

.

Here are my favourite sites to use when planning my trips:

Find your flight: Kiwi or use the airline’s direct website

Book your Hotel: Booking.com and Airbnb

Search for a rental car: Discovercars

Stay Connected Anywhere: Airalo eSIM

Book an unforgettable experiences: GetYourGuide

Save

Source: Wandering Linda and visitmadeira.com,
Photos: Wandering Linda and Freepik
Affiliate Program: Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission on sales generated through this website. This doesn’t increase the price of the service, so if you found my post useful, you’re welcome to start your booking from the link above. Thank you very much for your support!

Save

Pico Ruivo hike - Madeira