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Pico Do Arieiro / Pico Ruivo: Explore the High Peaks of Madeira Island
4.5
28 Ratings
Funchal
Explore the high peaks of Madeira Island on the Pico Do Arieiro / Pico Ruivo trail. Experience stunning views, challenging terrain, and the opportunity to discover the island's flora and fauna.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Pico do Arieiro - Offering a spectacular panorama, this path is unique in that it links two of the tallest summits on Madeira Island, Pico Ruivo (1862m) and Pico do Arieiro (1818m), traversing a section of the Central Mountain Massif.\n\nThe journey will be quite rugged, necessitating a degree of physical exertion.\n\nThroughout the route, you’ll encounter a series of climbs and descents. It’s crucial to reach Pico Ruivo, where you’ll be met with a sharp climb up numerous steps hewn directly into the stone and a careful descent. This trail is ideal for those who appreciate nature, wildlife, and physical challenges.\n\nIt’s advisable to carry a walking stick, wear appropriate shoes, bring water (2l), and have waterproof gear.
What's Included
- Multilingual certified tour guide and driver (English, Spanish, French, German).
Additional Information
This spectacular trail boasts a beautiful view and uniquely connects two of Madeira Island’s highest peaks, Pico Ruivo (1862m) and Pico do Arieiro (1818m), weaving through the Central Mountain Massif region.
Be prepared as the topography of this path is quite uneven and will require a fair amount of physical exertion.
You’ll face both uphill and downhill stretches, the most notable being the challenging climb up the numerous stone-carved steps at Pico Ruivo and the intricate descent that follows. This trail, rich in flora and fauna, is ideal for those who enjoy physical challenges and nature.
It’s recommended to carry a walking stick, wear proper shoes, bring two liters of water, and have a waterproof item ready.
Location
Pico do Arieiro
E 202
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(28 Ratings)
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Geomad991
May 18, 2024
Brilliant hike - We had a totally brilliant day on the guided pico to pico hike. Coming to Madeira we had planned to do the hike solo but were glad that we ended up booking this guided tour with Philip. He was an excellent guide, and really took the time to make sure everyone was OK. The pace was spot on and there was plenty of opportunities to stop for photos - at no point did it feel like he rushed us. We were also very lucky with the weather at pico de ariero which made the experience even more special. Loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephaned23
May 6, 2024
A superb hike - Always and again a crazy hike! Breathtaking views, a guaranteed intellectual escape, remember to wrap up well in spring
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tpat75
Mar 16, 2024
Fantastic! - This is a fantastic hike on a good weather. If you don’t fancy going back the same way, however, I highly recommend a guided hike that takes you down along a much shorter and much easier route to a different pick up point. You’re not going to be there alone anyway so you might as well go with a group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jean-pasca
Aug 18, 2023
Exceptional - We got it from Achada do Texeira and it was quite sufficient for our condition. Although the hike is short and well laid out, it climbs steeply, especially the last 500 meters to reach Pico Ruivo.
The effort is rewarded at the top.
The stop on the way back in the café in the parking lot is comforting in a very pretty setting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linda_c
Mar 29, 2023
Adventure in Maderia - I am a keen walker and was in Maderia on holiday for a week. It was my first time in Maderia and I was travelling solo. Luckily a friend suggested I booked this trip before I arrived in Maderia and I am so glad I did as this was the best experience of my trip and I would highly recommend it. The English speaking guide was first class.
Review provided by Viator
Espen_l
Nov 21, 2022
Fantastic mountain walk - Fantastic mountain terrain with big altitude differences. The tour went in safe paths with beutiful view. Nice to be picked up in the other end.
Review provided by Viator
Varpu_m
Oct 15, 2022
Amazing and tough! - Breathtaking views, so amazing that there was no room to my fear of heights. You have to watch your step. A very good guide, a well organized tour. And the perfect weather allowed to see the whole scenery.
The route is demanding with hundreds of high and uneven steps first down from
PdA and then up to PdR, with some very narrow paths in between,
so be prepared for muscle pain afterwards. But it is well worth it!
Request to Viator/All tour organizers: pls give exact facts on tour length, stops and end of tour (sorry customer service, the bus does not pick up from Pico Ruivo but from Achada!).
Review provided by Viator
Sabrina_r
Jul 24, 2023
Up in the sky - The guides were very friendly. The views were lovely, it was done at a good pace with regular breaks. Downside is that it’s a very busy walk with people going in different directions
Review provided by Viator
Helen_p
Feb 11, 2024
Not recommended especially if the company needs to change your hike location - Very disappointed as the actual pico do arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike was cancelled due to landslide and we were told the alternate hike would be changed to Ribeiro Frio Portela but when we were picked up in the morning we were taken to Ribeiro Bonita Levada walk which was a very easy walk with the only highlight being the waterfall at the halfway point at which we had the same walk back. This was not at all challenging to compare with the actual booked tour.
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_w
Apr 10, 2023
Cheaper but slower way of doing a nice hike - Pros:
-Cheaper than other options
-Guides are good
-don’t have to do a round trip if you’ve parked a car
Cons:
-depending where your hotel is you can spend an hour riding around on a coach picking other people up.
-big group. Although they split us into 3 groups of about 15 you still have to wait for everyone to get the coach home
-mixed abilities. I didn’t find this hike challenging but other people did. Lots of tour companies sell this tour and people seemed to have mixed information about it.
Review provided by Viator
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