feet on the way on the Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo trail

The Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo trail allows you to discover the island of Madeira in a stunning way. Set off on an unforgettable adventure.

Madeira Island is a wonderful destination with stunning nature. Hence, the trail that goes from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo is an experience absolutely not to be missed in the “Pérola do Atlântico”

Pico Ruivo

In the municipality of Santana, there is the incredible Pico Ruivo, which enchants everyone and everything, from the top of its 1862 meters of altitude.

It is the highest point of the Madeira archipelago and receives the bronze medal in the competition for the highest mountain in Portugal, being surpassed only by Serra da Estrela and Ponta do Pico, in the Azores, with Pico Ruivo in an honorable third place.

The diversity of fauna and flora represents one of the highlights of this peak. And there are many animals that can be found there, such as the common linnet, the common partridge, the wood finch or the blackbird, among many others.

Areeiro Peak

Slightly lower than Pico Ruivo, Pico do Areeiro represents another high point of Madeira Island.

It has a respectable 1818 meters of altitude, being the third highest peak of the archipelago (Pico das Torres with 1851 meters intrudes between both peaks).

This is an interesting point that gives access to a spectacular landscape, where you can see Curral das Freiras, Ponta de São Lourenço and, weather permitting, the island of Porto Santo.

Winter allows for another beauty as the snow-covered peak makes for a memorable experience.

Trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

The landscape is incredible, worthy of a Hollywood production that could make a good movie, with the scenery provided by this trail as a backdrop.

The trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is something different from anything that can be done in mainland Portugal. We are talking about a trail between two of the highest points on the island of Madeira.

If there is no cloudiness and the weather conditions are favorable, then the ideal circumstances are in place to spend unforgettable moments, in full communion with Nature.

Advices

A lot of sweat, tiredness, aches and cramps will be part of the trip for most travelers.

Bear in mind that this is a demanding route, so you should be prepared for it and be equipped (according to the weather conditions at the time the trail is made) with everything you need to have the best possible comfort and make the journey less arduous.

For example, you should bring appropriate clothing, waterproof jacket (if applicable), comfortable boots, frontal (lantern for tunnels), suitable footwear, hiking stick, sunscreen, water and food.

The route

The connection from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo by this fantastic trail, which is 7 kilometers long, is not an easy task.

It is a demanding route, with a duration of about 3 and a half hours. An exhausting trail for the knees and feet, which is tiring and in which the muscles normally suffer.

The landscape contributes to valuing the less important and to making the effort secondary. It takes some strategy to measure the effort throughout the challenge, with constant ups and downs, and where the slopes are sometimes steep.

The vertiginous slopes can be frightening, but safety on the trail is guaranteed by the steel handrails, which are present in the sections that raise the most fear and where there is a feeling of greater danger.

striking points

Along the route, there are several points that will make it worth all the effort made to make this trail.

The Ninho da Manta viewpoint allows access to an indescribable landscape, where all the compliments made will seem scarce to give dimension to the experience that is to see, for example, the blanket of clouds being pierced by the peaks.

The various tunnels excavated in the middle of volcanic rock are also incredible spaces, where the use of the frontal (or flashlight) is crucial to light the way.

Pico das Torres is an important challenge, due to the steep climb and the staircase carved into the rock and punctuated by some flights of metallic stairs, which make the task less arduous – while representing one of the biggest obstacles on this magnificent trail, as it involves an effort considerable physique. The biggest requirement will be the final climb to the shelter.

The trail experience is not just the route in its entirety. It is much more comprehensive, as it includes the landscape, the beauty and the tunnels, as well as the physical challenges, the cooperation with everyone who goes, the bonds created even with those who come along the way.