Pico Ruivo: Take a Hike in the Sky

Madeira is an island of superlatives. From the spectacular coastline decorated with huge cliffs, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters to the rugged forested mountains that make up the island's interior, Madeira has it all. The highest point on the island is Pico Ruivo, soaring 1862 meters above sea level. The good news is, you don't have to be an alpinist to climb it! There are several hiking routes to the top. Although you have to be fit, it is doable for most people.

Pico Ruivo is located on the island of Madeira (Portugal), more than a 1000 km from mainland Europe. It’s literally a green dot in the Atlantic Ocean, generally only accessible via air travel (unless you are a sailor). The highest summit of the island, Pico Ruivo, is located in the heart of the mountainous interior of Madeira. The only way to reach it is on foot. There are several trailheads that lead to the summit. These are Pico do Arieiro 5 km south of Pico Ruivo, Boca da Encumeada located 10 km west of the peak and Achada do Teixeira, just 3 km northeast of the summit. In the chapter “How to get to Pico Ruivo” we’ll share some tips on transport to get there.

In principle you can do the hike to Pico Ruivo year-round. Madeira is subtropical, though there are four distinct seasons. Below we delve a little deeper into what each season is like.

Spring

Springtime is a wonderful time to hike the mountains of Madeira. Lots of flowers, mild temperatures and it’s not overly busy on the trails. It is a time when there can be quite a bit of rainfall and this can cause landslides in the most extreme cases.

Summer

Summer offers long daylight hours, allowing for early morning or late evening hikes. The weather is typically warm and sunny, perfect for high altitude trails. Summer months can be crowded with tourists, especially in popular hiking areas such as Pico Ruivo. The higher temperatures might make hiking more challenging, so it's essential to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.

Autumn

Autumn in Madeira is characterized by balmy temperatures and fewer crowds compared to summer. The landscape is vibrant with colors as the foliage begins to change. It does rain more than in summer, but this is still our favorite season for a hike to the roof of Madeira.

Winter

It is the rainiest season of the year and occasionally there’s a dusting of snow at the highest peaks. Wintertime is the quietest time and you may have the trails all to yourself. Just bring some warm layers!

Overall, the best time to go hiking in Madeira is subjective and depends on your preferences for weather conditions, crowd levels, and the type of scenery you want to experience.

Getting to the more remote spots on Madeira by public transport can be quite challenging. Only the main towns are served so to get to the trailhead for the hike up Pico Ruivo, you need to organise private transport like a taxi service.

From Pico do Arieiro

The look-out at Pico Arieiro is one of the most popular attractions on Madeira. That’s partly because it is relatively close to Madeira’s main city Funchal. The 20 km drive takes you around 40 minutes by car. From the trailhead it's a 5km / 2hr30min hike one-way to the top of Pico Ruivo. You can either hike back or continue to Achada do Teixeira which is 3 km from the summit. From there you can organise your taxi back down.

Boca da Encumeada

The trailhead at Boca da Encumeada also has good access by road. It about 30 km from Funchal and the drive takes less than 40 minutes. This hiking route to Pico Ruivo is much harder with over 1000 meters of ascent over the course of 10 km. For experienced and fit hikers, you could make a day return. Or you could opt for continuing to Pico do Arieiro or Achada do Teixeira.

Achada do Teixeira

It's an hour driving (50 km) to the mountain cafe Achada do Teixeira. From this place it's an easy hike of about 3 km one way to the summit of Pico Ruivo. As with the other approaches, you can end your hike elsewhere, either Pico do Arieiro or Boca da Encumeada. Make sure you pre-organised your taxi as there are no taxi stands at any trailhead or trail end.

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If you have any questions about a specific trek or need help choosing the right one for you, our team of trekking experts is here to assist you. Simply reach out to us and we will be happy to provide you with personalized recommendations and advice to help you plan the trekking adventure of a lifetime.