Pico do Arieiro - Hiking in Madeira: Complete Guide

Pico do Arieiro is a once-in-a-lifetime hike with spectacular views of the Portuguese island mountains of Madeira. The hike is 11km out-and-back, with an impressive 1180m of elevation gain. Many hikers opt to get picked up by taxi or tour bus at the turnaround point (Pico Ruivo), cutting the distance and elevation in half. The trail is narrow` but well-built, full of handrails, stone steps, tunnels and steel ladders. The trail brings you through some of Madeira's highest peaks and is packed with incredible views.

About the Hike

Hiking Distance:

• 11km 1180m elevation, out and back.

• Approx. 3-6 hrs, depending on skill (and calf strength)

• Shuttle service is available if you want to complete only one direction of the hike.

Experience Level:

Intermediate

The hike commonly begins at the peak of Pico do Arieiro, where hikers trek through the elevation towards the turnaround point at Pico Ruivo. Hikers who want to only do one-way can finish at Pico Ruivo and get picked up by taxi (roughly 40-80 euro) or by one of the many tour companies.

Elevation profile adapted and taken from: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/portugal/madeira--2/pr1-pico-do-arieiro-pico-ruivo?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

This is one of Madeira’s most popular trails (and for good reason), expect lots of people along the hike going in both directions.

A lot of people head to Pico Arieiro for sunrise. There is a dirt parking lot and then a short (5-minute) hike up to the trailhead where the weather station and cafe is located. This is where the actual hike begins.

Make sure to stretch those calves! The elevation on this trail is serious, with well-built stone steps and steel ladders.

There are NO washrooms along the trail once you have started the hike. There is virtually nowhere along the trail to escape and relieve yourself either. There is a bathroom at the cafe at Pico Arieiro and at the cafe at Pico Ruvio. You MUST bring money to access the washrooms, typically only a couple of euros. 

Bring lots of water and snacks for the trail. If you plan on doing the entire out-and-back (return) trip, make sure you fill up or buy water when you reach Pico Ruvio, you will need it for the return.

At Pico Ruvio, there is a cafe to purchase food, although we packed our own lunch since we drove ourselves up.

Transportation to the Trailhead

How to get there:

• Car rental (what we did)

• Drive from Funchal, and park at Pico Ariero. The road is windy and steep, but doing able in any intermediate-sized rental car. Drive at your own risk and comfort.

• Get there early, the dirt parking lot can fill up. People arrive early to watch the sunrise.

• Approx. 30-45 minute drive from Funchal

• Taxi

• Requires cell service

• 40-50 euros on the way from Funchal

• Tour group. There are plenty of companies available online to book

  • These tour groups typically only do the one-way hiking option.

• Local guide. The absolute best way to explore a new hike is with a guide. Hiring a guide gives you the safety and peace of mind. Hiring a local is also a great way to learn about Madeira's history and gain the inside scoop.

• Pico transfers/bus

• Generally, pick-up is in the bigger cities (such as Funchal)

What to Bring

Make sure to show up prepared. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Food and water. While there is a cafe at both the beginning (Pico do Arieiro) and the

turnaround point (Pico Ruivo), it's always good hiking practice to bring sufficient nutrient-and-calorically-dense food every time you hike. The is a free water fountain at the Pico Ruivo, we cannot vouch for it being open year-round. Be outdoor-smart and bring plenty of water.

2. Good runners, hiking boots or trail runners are all appropriate since the trail is gravel and stone. Some areas within the tunnels may have lots of water and puddles to get through. Whatever shoes you wear, be prepared for them to get very dirty (see figure for some very dusty Canadian legs).

3. We recommend bringing a sweater or a windbreaker, as it can get windy up top and the weather can change quickly. You may want to pack a light rain jacket, depending on the time of year you are going. We did this hike in late August and wore shorts, t-shirts, hats and runners. We both brought sweaters and needed them at the very beginning of the hike, due to the wind.

4. Hats and sunscreen. We highly recommend minimizing exposure to the sun to prevent sunburns and reduce the risk of skin cancer. There is little-to-no shade along most of the hike. 

5. Blister kit, bandaids etc. This hike will take a toll on your hands, feet, and legs. Make sure to bring along some medical supplies just in case.

6. CASH. Bring enough euros for a taxi from Pico Ruvio, just in case you have an injury (sprained ankle, sore knees). You don't want to be left walking back just because you forgot a couple of extra bucks. Also, the washrooms (only at the beginning and the Pico Ruvio chalet) cost a couple of euros. There are no other washrooms on the hike.

Happy Hiking!

"You have brains in your head,

you have feet in your shoes,

you can steer yourself

in any direction you choose"

-Dr. Seuss

Disclaimer: OutdoorExplorersGuid and its parties are not responsible for any injury, neglect, or damage to any viewer as a result of the contents of the article. This article is intended to be supplementary information and is not intended to be a single source of information for travel advice.