In a nutshell
- Pico Ruivo is the highest peak on Madeira and can be reached via a spectacular trail from the nearby summit of Pico Arieiro — no expert hiking experience required.
- The views from both peaks and along the entire trail are seriously stunning, making this one of the top highlights of any Madeira trip.
- There are three route options — we break down which one suits you best depending on your fitness level and how you’re getting there.
- Here you’ll find everything you need: route details, getting there, weather tips, and our honest experience on the Pico Ruivo hike.
The Most Important Info at a Glance
The trail between Pico Ruivo and Pico Arieiro is one of the most beautiful hikes on Madeira. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to tackle it — being reasonably fit and highly motivated is enough. Just make sure you don’t have a serious fear of heights.
Pico Ruivo stands at 1,862 meters and Pico Arieiro at 1,818 meters. The two peaks sit right in the center of Madeira. From Funchal, you can reach the trailhead by car in just over 30 minutes.
Before you set off, you’ll need to buy a ticket on the Portal SIMplifica. It costs 3 euros.
Is the Pico Ruivo hike worth it?
Yes! Definitely for the views — it’s one of the standout highlights of a road trip around Madeira. That said, the trail gets really crowded, so the hiking experience itself isn’t quite as special as you might hope.
The Three Routes for the Pico Ruivo Hike
You have three routes to choose from for the Pico Ruivo trail:
- From Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and back (10.6 km)
- From Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo and then to Pico Arieiro (8.1 kilometers)
- From Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo and back (5.6 km)
Note: None of the trails are loop hikes.
The Pico Ruivo hiking routes on a map
Option 1: Pico Arieiro – Pico Ruivo – Pico Arieiro
- Distance: 10.6 kilometers (round trip)
- Elevation gain: Approximately 1,000 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 5–8 hours
This route is the perfect choice if you’re arriving by rental car and love a solid long hike. It’s the one we did.
Note: Unfortunately, the trail is very crowded, as it’s one of the most popular activities on Madeira. You’ll spend a lot of the time walking in a line behind other hikers and may even have to wait at some of the staircases along the way.
Option 2: Achada do Teixeira – Pico Ruivo – Pico Arieiro
- Distance: 8.1 kilometers
- Elevation gain: Approximately 750 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 4–7 hours
This is the most varied route, since you don’t retrace your steps. The one downside is that you can’t do it by rental car, since the start and end points are different.
Your best bet is to book a transfer from Funchal or join a guided tour — a great day trip on Madeira if you’re staying in Funchal.
Transfer to Pico Arieiro (return from Achada do Teixeira)
Extra tip: You can also drive to Achada do Teixeira and book a transfer back from Pico do Arieiro: Transfer from Pico Arieiro to Achada do Teixeira
Option 3: Achada do Teixeira – Pico Ruivo – Achada do Teixeira
Note: This is the only trail currently open!
- Distance: 5.6 kilometers (round trip)
- Elevation gain: Approximately 500 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 3–5 hours
We’d only recommend this option if you’re not a strong hiker. It’s the easiest route, but you’ll miss out on Pico Arieiro — and that’s a real highlight you don’t want to skip.
Getting to the Hike
You have several options for getting there:
- Rental car (our top recommendation)
- Guided tour
- Group transfer from Funchal
- Taxi
- Bus + hitchhiking/walking
Getting there by rental car
Most people arrive by car. There’s a parking lot at the top near Pico Arieiro and another at Achada do Teixeira.
If the lots are full, just pull up along the roadside behind the other cars. The earlier you arrive, the better!
Note: From the main parking lot at Pico do Arieiro, you still need to walk about 600 meters uphill to reach the trailhead. If you park further down the road, it’ll be even more.
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Book a guided tour
If you book a guided tour, transportation is included. Tours typically depart from Funchal, and most start at Pico do Arieiro and end at Achada do Teixeira — or the other way around.
Guided hiking tour from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
Guided sunrise tour from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
Group transfer from Funchal
If you want to hike independently but don’t want to rent a car, your best option is to book a transfer to Pico Arieiro and use it for the return trip as well.
Transfer to Pico Arieiro (return from Achada do Teixeira)
Taxi
A taxi gives you the most flexibility, but it’s also the priciest option. It’s a great choice if you decide to do the hike spontaneously — just ask at your hotel or through a travel agency in Funchal.
Bus + hitchhiking/walking
There’s also a bus (number 56) running from Funchal to Poiso. The connection will show up on Google Maps.
Heads up: The bus runs very infrequently.
From Poiso, it’s just under 7 kilometers to Pico do Arieiro.
From there, you can hitchhike or walk the rest of the way. We tried hitchhiking ourselves and didn’t wait more than five minutes before someone picked us up.
For the return trip, do the same in reverse. You can also hitchhike from Achada do Teixeira to Santana and make your way back to Funchal from there.
All the Tips on Weather and Clothing
Make sure you do the Pico Ruivo hike on a clear, sunny day.
Otherwise, both peaks will likely be wrapped in fog and you won’t get to enjoy the views at all. Hiking in those conditions isn’t much fun — and in rain, it can be genuinely dangerous.
Keep an eye on wind conditions too, since strong winds make the trail dangerous as well.
Since the weather on Madeira is notoriously unpredictable, we recommend deciding spontaneously when to go. That way you can pick the day with the best conditions.
The only downside is that guided tours and transfers are often fully booked, so last-minute slots aren’t always available.
For clothing, it’s best to be prepared for everything. Up on the peaks it’s usually quite cold and windy, but once the sun is out and you’re climbing uphill, you’ll definitely work up a sweat.
Hiking shoes or footwear with solid grip are also a must.
Lies auch:
Our Experience on the Pico Ruivo Hike
We did the pico arieiro to pico ruivo route and back. We set off from the top of Pico Arieiro at around 9 in the morning — on a sunny day in April.
It was already pretty busy at that time, but we still managed to find a parking spot fairly high up without too much trouble.
The first section of the hike is mainly stone steps heading downhill. The views are phenomenal from the very first step — we could see both the north and south coasts of Madeira.
After that, the trail levels out for a long stretch along a hillside, taking you through several tunnels. This is the easiest section, since there’s almost no elevation change.
Note: Inside the tunnels, you’ll need a flashlight or your phone’s flashlight.
After the tunnel section, things get seriously strenuous. From here on, you’re mostly climbing uphill, including several steep staircases.
Then you emerge at a kind of pass, where you can look out over both sides of the hillside — perfect for a breather!
From the pass, you descend a short way down the other side before it’s uphill the entire rest of the way. This was honestly the most grueling part of the hike for us.
Just before the summit, you pass a mountain hut where you can use the restroom and refill your water bottle.
From the mountain hut, it’s only 500 more meters and about 100 meters of elevation gain up to Pico Ruivo. The view from up here is absolutely fantastic. We took about two and a half hours for the ascent.
Since it was very windy at the top and there were a lot of people crowded around the summit, we only stayed briefly before heading back down. Around noon we were back at the mountain hut and took a quick break.
The return trip took roughly as long as the ascent. The final stretch was really tough — you’re climbing uphill again after already having hiked for hours.
At the same time, the views at the end are absolutely breathtaking as you climb the stairs back up to Pico Arieiro.
Overall, we found the madeira hiking pico ruivo trail a bit more impressive — but also more demanding — than the walk to Ponta de São Lourenço.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pico Arieiro Hike
What do you need to pack for the hike?
Here’s what you should have in your backpack:
- Plenty of water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Hiking poles if needed
- Rain gear
How difficult is the Pico Ruivo hike?
We’d call it moderately difficult. The trail is well-maintained and sure-footed, with rope handrails along almost the entire route. It’s also nearly impossible to get lost.
The hike is totally doable for anyone who’s reasonably fit — we honestly saw people of all ages making their way up.
That said, there’s a lot of steep uphill and downhill climbing, so it is strenuous and tough on the knees. But the breathtaking panorama at the top makes it absolutely worth it.
Can I do the hike if I'm afraid of heights?
If you have mild acrophobia or just feel a bit uneasy about heights, yes — you’ll probably be fine.
I’m not completely free of vertigo myself, but since I could hold on with my hands the whole time, it was totally manageable.
That said, you will be walking along steep exposed slopes. If you have severe acrophobia, you’re better off skipping the hike.
When is the Pico Ruivo hike closed?
The Pico Ruivo trail is generally open year-round, but it can occasionally be closed due to rockfalls or other hazards.
In strong winds or heavy rain, you shouldn’t attempt the hike regardless — conditions can become genuinely dangerous.
