Getting there
- Flights to Funchal (FNC) 15 km from the start
Treks / Portugal (Madeira)
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
Portugal (Madeira) · Nearest city: Funchal
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 12 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point1,862 m
A dramatic ridge path between Madeira's highest peaks, with tunnels and stairways above the clouds.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonAll year
High pointPico Ruivo
Watch out: Sections close after storms. Check the regional trail status before you go.
Why people choose it
It's one of Europe's most dramatic ridge walks, above the clouds between Madeira's highest peaks.
What makes it different
- Walk above a sea of clouds
- Tunnels through the ridge
- Subtropical island setting
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is not allowed in Portugal, with fines in protected areas like the Rota Vicentina coast.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
- Best time to go: All year.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Funchal.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: All year
April to May
Spring
Often the driest time of year, with long days and fresh green hills. Can still be cold and windy on the tops.
Bring
- Warm layer and hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Gloves for high ground
June to August
Summer
Longest days and warmest weather, but also rain showers, busier trails and, in Scotland, midges.
Bring
- Midge head net and repellent in Scotland
- Waterproofs, always
- Book accommodation early
September to October
Autumn
Fewer people and beautiful colours, but wetter, windier weather and shorter days.
Bring
- Full waterproofs, jacket and trousers
- Headlamp
- Waterproof boots
Be ready for
Airy sections
Some paths run along steep drops. They're safe with care, but uncomfortable if you're afraid of heights, especially in wind or rain.
Closures
The route can close after storms or in bad weather. Check the official status on the morning you go.
What you'll see
5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
Photo credits: Pico do Areeiro by Krib, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; View from Miradouro do Pico do Arieiro - Madeira by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pico Ruivo northwest platform by The Kopf System, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; From Miradouro do Juncal towards Funchal by Michael Gaylard from Horsham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Pico Ruivo Peak by The Kopf System, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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