Madeira pico de arieiro

The top of Pico Ruivo is also the best sunrise spot in Madeira. On this trail, you can expect a lot of people and guided tours as well. Another thing to take into consideration before you go is that weather plays a big part in the Pico do Arieiro hike. This is the last stretch before Casa de Abrigo where you can stop, relax, and have a nice lunch break in the sun hopefully!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you decide to use the links and make a valid purchase, we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Not bad, especially thinking you were at sea level only a few hours ago.

Here you can buy drinks, cake, and little snacks inside. If you get the chance to do it you definitely should! The Pico do Arieiro parking lot is the most common starting point for this hike. This is why it is a really good idea to bring hiking poles. Thankfully there are a few viewpoints along the way where you can relax and rest.

The only difference here is that the tunnels are much shorter on Pico do Arieiro but there are 6 of them! The length varies between 80 and meters. We were lucky and had one of the clearest days words from our guide but we also had friends do the hike on a cloudy day and they barely got to see anything.

We actually went straight to the top of Pico Ruivo. The good news is that once you make it past Pico das Torres the hardest part of the hike is out of the way! One of the best sunset and sunrise spots in Madeira is even along this hike!

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike – Highest Peaks in Madeira

PR 1 Pico do Arieiro is the most famous hiking trail in Madeira so, of course, lots of people do this hike daily. There are tables, chairs, and toilets so you can have a full-on break and enjoy some food before the last stretch to the top of Pico Ruivo. You might be thinking the hike is going to be quite easy since the beginning of the trail starts so high up.

Pico do Arieiro is a crazy meters above sea level which makes it the third tallest peak on the entire island. This part is super tough and is basically just a ton of staircases you have to walk up. Thankfully, the summit of Pico Ruivo is only a minute hike from Casa de Abrigo so we went for it. It is pretty common for it to be quite cloudy up in the Madeira mountains. You basically start the hike at the top of one of the three peaks!

But the trail is anything from flat the whole way.

Look at the weather forecast for Pico do Arieiro here and you can also check out the live webcam for Pico do Aireiro here. Fun fact: You can actually stay in Casa de Abrigo overnight. We have a few recommendations! If the weather is looking a little crappy you can always do one of the many other amazing hikes on the island.

At some part, the trail splits in two. Expect some ascents and descents throughout the hike! As we mentioned, you can stay at Casa de Abrigo and hike up in the morning for sunrise. You might even be able to see Porto Santo island on a clear day. This makes Pico do Arieiro the most famous and popular hike in Madeira. This is totally worth doing because from there you can catch the most beautiful sunrise in all of Madeira.

As you head up, just follow the signs and stay left.

Madeira sevärdheter

Click here to see a map of the beginning of the Pico do Arieiro trail. From one of them, you can even see Porto Santo in the distance on a clear day. When you plan to do this hike, you can expect to do a bit of planning before you go. Pico Ruivo is the highest peak and stands at meters.