PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

The PR1 — Vereda do Areeiro — is Madeira's signature mountain ridge hike, connecting the island's third-highest peak (Pico do Arieiro, 1,818 m) to the highest point on the island and in Portugal's archipelago (Pico Ruivo, 1,862 m). The 7 km traverse threads narrow ridges between volcanic spires, drops into knife-edge cols, and passes through tunnels dug through the volcanic tuff — at one section, a 80 m unlit tunnel where a headlamp is essential.

The walking starts at the Pico do Arieiro car park (reached by road, with a small café and observatory). The first kilometre crosses a panoramic ridge to Ninho da Manta (Eagle's Nest) — one of the most-photographed viewpoints on Madeira. Beyond that the trail descends a long staircase carved into the rock, passes through several tunnels, and contours around Pico das Torres (which can't be climbed directly without rock-climbing gear). The final 2 km is a steep stepped climb to Pico Ruivo's summit, marked by a small stone shelter. Total ascent is roughly 600 m of climb across the 7 km — much of it concentrated in the final stretch.

The trail closed in August 2024 after a major wildfire devastated the central peaks; it reopened in late April 2026 with a new one-way regulation (Arieiro → Ruivo only). Best season is April to October. Cloud routinely fills the central peaks by mid-morning — start at dawn (0530–0600 in summer) for clear views. The trail is fully waymarked with PR1 signs. A torch is mandatory for the unlit tunnel. Taxi pickup at the Achada do Teixeira trailhead (the road end on Pico Ruivo's side) is the standard logistics — pre-arrange before starting, around €30–40 back to Funchal.