PR 1 Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo

The PR 1 from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo on Madeira is one of the most spectacular day hikes in Europe. The trail will take you from Pico Areeiro, the third-highest peak on the island, to Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest point. Throughout the 11 kilometers, you will hike along the mountain cliffs on trail that is sometimes even carved into the mountainside as tunnels and over part of the Central Mountain Massif, to see the best views of the island. The PR 1 is also a part of the Madeira Crossing, one of the most popular long-distance hikes in Europe right now. While the hike is currently closed along with the PR 1, the Madeira Crossing will reopen in 2026.

Starting at Pico Areeiro (1818 meters), there will be a place for you to be dropped off by a taxi or to park your (rental) car. There will be a few shops and restaurants to fuel up before you hike, along with public bathrooms. Just be sure to bring coins! The hike officially starts at the peak, right where the Air Defence Radar Station of the Portuguese Air Force is located. From here, you will walk along the ridge line of the peak and descend for about two kilometers. The path is quite narrow in places, and you’ll have a lot of other people on the trail with you, so it is important that you stay patient and move slowly. It’s better to be safe than to rush it! As you descend, you’ll hike through tunnels that are built into volcanic tufts that used to shelter cattle and their shepherds.

Soon, you’ll hike uphill for about 1 kilometer around Pico das Torres (1852 meters), which you will then descend down before you start the final ascent to Pico Ruivo (1862 meters). As you begin the ascent to Pico Ruivo, you will have a fantastic viewpoint where you will see the many peaks that make up the island, the beautiful wildflowers peaking through the high-altitude heath (if you’re lucky!), and the sunlight almost dancing on the rock faces. It’s a great place to take a break and admire the view before you tackle the most intense portion of the hike.

The path to Pico Ruivo is supplemented with metal stairs and guardrails in this section. It’s very important to go slowly and respect the pace of your fellow hikers to keep everyone safe as you hike this section. It can be very steep and narrow in areas, and it is about one and a half kilometers uphill until you reach the peak. Amidst the scrambling on the stairs, you’ll have a lush trail along the mountainside and on the ridge as you make your way to the summit. The final stairs will take you to the top, where you will have 360-degree views of the island. There’s a very nice viewing platform where you can take a break. If you want even more of a rest, you can visit the mountain hut just below the summit, Casa de Abrigo, for a snack and drink.

Once you’ve rested up, you will turn around and hike back to Pico Arieiro, where you’ll be able to return to your car. Hiking the same path in the other direction will give you a chance to experience the views and trail thoroughly, from different perspectives as you descend where you’d previously climbed and vice versa. The PR 1 from Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruivo is Madeira’s most famous trail for a reason, and is one of the best ways to see the natural beauty of the island.

Pro tip: if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the many people on the trail and want some quiet in nature before heading home, try hiking a little farther past the restaurant in Pico Areeiro. Once you cross the street, the trail will start in the brush and is almost completely empty. While it won’t have the views of the PR 1, the section goes through wildflowers and will give you a chance to enjoy nature with a bit more quiet.

The best time of year to hike the PR 1 is in the spring or the autumn months. However, it is possible to hike the trail all year round. Locals are known to hike the trail even in the deep of winter! Madeira is known for having rain all year, but spring and autumn have the better chances for dry weather and lower crowds outside of the summer holiday season.

While the PR 1 is a very popular trail, it is still a difficult hiking trail that you should be adequately prepared for. Start by assessing your physical health: are you up for hiking 3-4 hours up multiple mountains? If so, then check that you are okay with hiking on exposed sections of the trail and multiple ridges, where you will be very high up. If you are comfortable with this, then you will have a great time and be able to properly enjoy the trail.

You should also prepare for the PR 1 by packing for the day hike with plenty of water, snacks, and layers. The weather on Madeira can change rapidly, and it is common for it to rain. Take waterproof layers and bring shoes with good grip, as this will be very important even if it doesn’t rain. Since the trail is steep in many sections, you will want to have good traction as you hike.

Finally, make sure to download the GPX and get the right permits for your hike. While it is difficult to get lost, it is always smart to have the GPX as a backup. You will need permits for each PR trail that you hike on Madeira and can purchase them for 3€ on the permitting website, SIMplifica.

The PR 1 from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo on Madeira is listed as a moderately difficult trail, as it climbs 790 meters in 11 kilometers. The trail requires that you be strong enough to handle stairs and steep ascents, as well as descents on narrow paths. There are guardrails on the exposed sections, but this trail is not suitable for people with a fear of heights or vertigo. Most of the trail is exposed and high up, as it goes between mountains on the island.