Today we are going to be at the absolute top of Madeira, because you can't go any higher on this island. Yes, today we will reach the highest peak of Madeira, Pico Ruivo (1862 m above sea level). From there we will then follow the stunning PR1 trail to the third highest peak, Pico do Arieiro (1818 m above sea level).
The road from Pico do Arieiro
We get up quite early again and at 9 we get in the car and drive again towards Santana and from there we climb to the top of Achada do Teixeira (1600 m above sea level), which is the starting point with a mountain hut and a parking lot for the PR1.2 trail to Pico Ruivo.
Achada do Teixeira (1600 m above sea level)
Achada do Teixeira is close to the summit of Pico Ruivo, so there is no need to climb a large elevation gain at the start of the hike. On this section of the trail, the route follows a wide and well-maintained road called PR1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruivo. This road takes you through picturesque mountain scenery and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. After approximately 3 kilometres you will reach the summit of Pico Ruivo, the highest peak in Madeira, with an altitude of 1862 metres above sea level. The whole journey from Achado do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo takes about 1 hour, depending on your fitness level and how much photography you do.
Achada do Teixeira (1600 m above sea level)
In the distance Pico do Arieiro
PR1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruivo, tourist shelter
Pico Ruivo (1862 m above sea level)
Path PR1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruivo
Pico Ruivo (1862 m n.m.)
Returning along the PR1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruivo trail, after a few hundred metres from the top of Pico Ruivo at the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo hut we reach a fork where we have to turn onto the PR1 - Vereda do Arieiro trail. This road takes us over other peaks and ridges with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Signpost to Picco Arieiro
Unfortunately, the path here is not so wide anymore and with a larger concentration of tourist groups, especially at the crossing of one ridge, where it uses iron steps, there are unpleasant traffic jams. However, even the rest of the way to Pedra Rija the pavement is quite narrow that two people cannot fit next to each other.
The trail to Picco Arieiro - Climb to the saddle
The trail to Picco Arieiro - Traffic jam on the route
In addition to the fantastic views, this trail also offers several tunnels built just for hiking, with the longest tunnel located under Pico das Torres (1851 m above sea level) and measuring approximately 170 metres.
The walk to Pico do Gato is quite flat. From there, however, the stairs start to climb and after a while you will see the white domes, typical of Pico do Arieiro. You can't see them from the moment you cross the saddle. This view is tricky because it seems that you are close, but in reality you still have an hour to go. The reward for this hardship is the nearby rock massif of Pedra Rija, the most Instagrammed photo on this route, where the rock is so narrow that it only covers the steps that are made on it. Further on either side is just a steep drop down.
Climb from Pico do Gato
Pedra Rija
From Pedro Rijo you climb to Ninho da Manta and find that the trail goes and winds in the opposite direction than you would expect, just the ending keeps deceiving the body.
Ninho da Manta
However, after three hours of walking we are at Pico do Arieiro. As I mentioned before, this peak is characterized by the white dome of the military radar base that defines the character of this place. Outside there is also a restaurant where we have a paradise soup, and the lazier and richer ones can take a taxi here to take them to their car to Achada do Teixeira. We are not one of them, so we have to walk back the same route.
The way back is a little faster. First of all, there are not so many photos and there are fewer tourists. Even so, we reach the car only around 5:30 in the evening, when it is already starting to get dark.
Pedra Rija
We have nothing else planned for today, so we have an hour drive back to our apartment in Sao Vicente to make dinner. Drink another bottle of Port wine and go to bed. Tomorrow we have Levada 25 Fontes and the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula.
Tunel Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco
Useful links:
Auto Rent a Car Madeira
Casinhas da Laurissilva
