PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: the ridge hike above the clouds

What changed in 2026

A wildfire in August 2024 damaged the ridge, and the PR1 stayed closed for almost two years while the path, railings and tunnels were rebuilt. It reopened in stages from late April 2026, at first only on some days of the week, and has been open daily since 26 June 2026. Short closures still happen for works – for example on 14–17 and 21–22 September 2026 for a new footbridge – and in bad weather.

The biggest change is the direction. The first 1.2 km from Pico do Arieiro to the Pedra Rija viewpoint is still two-way, but from Pedra Rija to Pico Ruivo the trail is one-way. Once you pass Pedra Rija you cannot walk back to your car at Pico do Arieiro: you leave the mountain on the other side, at Achada do Teixeira (PR1.2) or down to Ilha (PR1.1).

Booking and fees

Every hiker, including children and residents, must book an entry slot on the regional government's SIMplifica portal before going. For visitors over 12 the full route costs €10.50 per person and the two-way stretch to Pedra Rija costs €4.50; the full-route ticket also covers the exits PR1.1 and PR1.2. Our guide to Madeira's trail fees and SIMplifica booking explains the process step by step.

Entry slots start at 7:00 and are released in half-hour windows; the early ones, popular for sunrise, sell out first, especially at weekends. Arrive within about 15 minutes of your slot. Tickets are only refunded if the authorities close the trail on your date, so check the forecast before you book.

The route step by step

From the car park and viewpoint on the summit of Pico do Arieiro, the path drops along a narrow, stepped ridge – the section many tours call the Stairway to Heaven – past the Ninho da Manta viewpoint to the Pedra Rija viewpoint, about 1.2 km away. If you only booked this stretch, this is where you turn back.

Beyond Pedra Rija the route passes through several tunnels dug into the volcanic rock and skirts Pico das Torres (1,851 m) on a steep staircase cut into the cliff. After the rock formation known as Homem em Pé, a path branches off towards Achada do Teixeira; the final climb to the mountain hut and the summit of Pico Ruivo is the hardest part of the day.

From the summit, with views over almost the whole island on a clear day, walk back down to the hut and follow the paved PR1.2 for about 2.8 km to the car park at Achada do Teixeira. The PR1.1 Vereda da Ilha is a longer alternative that descends north through the forest to the village of Ilha, near Santana.

Getting back from Achada do Teixeira

Because you cannot return on foot, plan the transfer before you start: a taxi booked in advance (there is no taxi rank at Achada do Teixeira), two cars, or a tour that drops you at Pico do Arieiro and collects you at the end. Driving from Achada do Teixeira back to Pico do Arieiro takes about an hour. To reach the start without a car, the Horários do Funchal bus leaves the cable car station in Funchal at 06:00 and 13:30 and stops at the Pico do Arieiro car park about 40 minutes later (€3, paid on board). It does not go to Achada do Teixeira, so you still need a taxi or pick-up at the end – or, if you only walk to Pedra Rija and back, catch the 12:15 bus down.

The simplest option is a guided hike or hiking transfer: the operator handles the drop-off, often at sunrise, and the pick-up at the end, and trail fees are usually included in the price.

Sunrise and the best time to go

Sunrise over the clouds from Pico do Arieiro is one of Madeira's most famous sights. The viewpoint is next to the road at the summit, so you can watch the sunrise there and then start the trail with an early slot. Bring a warm jacket: before dawn it can be close to freezing in winter, and it is windy all year round.

The ridge is at its best from May to October, when the weather is more stable; in winter the trail is closed more often because of rain, ice or strong wind. Check the mountain forecast for Pico do Arieiro rather than the one for Funchal, and see the best time to visit Madeira.

Safety and what to bring

The path is well built, with railings on the most exposed parts, but there are long drops on both sides and hundreds of steps. It is not suitable for people with vertigo, and there is no turning back after Pedra Rija. Wear hiking boots with good grip and carry water, food, a windproof layer and a headlamp for the tunnels. Fog can roll in within minutes.

Easier alternative: Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira

If you simply want to stand on Madeira's highest summit, the PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo climbs from the car park at Achada do Teixeira on a paved path: about 2.8 km each way and roughly 1.5 hours up. It needs its own booking (€4.50 for visitors over 12) and you return the same way, so no transfer is needed.