Pico Ruivo Hike (PR1.2) – How To Visit Madeira’s Highest Point

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Planning Your Pico Ruivo Hike

🥾 All classified hiking trails, including PR1 Pico do Arieiro & PR1.2 Pico Ruivo, on Madeira now require reservations and payment through the SIMplficia Portal. Reserve your time and pay your fees right on the portal. Check the status of the trail you want to hike here to make sure it’s open.

Pico Ruivo

• As of February 2026, PR1.2 is open.
• The Pico Ruivo hike is about 4 miles round-trip with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.
• As with Pico do Arieiro, this is a very popular area on the island of Madeira, so be sure to plan ahead for getting to the parking areas, especially in the summer.
• The parking lot at the trailhead is free.
• The Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café here at the summit is a great place to enjoy some delicious baked goods, coffee, and meals.
  • Don’t forget some euro coins to use the restroom here.
• Along PR1.2, there are restrooms also located near the Casa de Abrigo. You got it – euros needed!
• There is no shade on this trail, and you’ll likely be hiking above the clouds.

When both PR1.2 and PR1 are fully open, the best way to hike both of these trails is to start from Pico do Arieiro, hike to Pico Ruivo, and then hike to Achada do Teixeira. If you complete the one-way route, hire a driver to pick you up at Achada do Teixeira and take you back to Pico do Arieiro!

This is what we originally planned to do, but had to alter our plans due to the PR1 trail closure from a recent fire.

Webcams In Madeira

It can often be cloudy in the mountain regions of Madeira. Usually, you can hike these trails in the sun, above the clouds, offering one of the coolest hiking experiences ever. Take a look at the live webcams before driving to Pico Ruivo.

Pico Ruivo Hike

Alright, now it’s time to hike above the clouds on the island of Madeira! Head to Achada do Teixeira, a mountain plateau that already feels worlds away from the coast below.

By the time you reach the summit, you’ll be standing at the highest point on Madeira and the 3rd highest point in all of Portugal. Pico Ruivo tops out at 6,106 feet, and on a clear day, it feels every bit of it.

Now, the best part about doing this hike after Pico do Arieiro is the delicious food at the Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café that you can enjoy as a reward!

Before starting your hike, don’t forget to secure reservations and pay for this hike through the SIMplficia Portal.

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Parking Lot To Casa de Abrigo

The hike kicks off at the southern end of the parking lot. Follow the well-marked stone path and settle into your hiking rhythm. This first stretch is the most gradual of the hike and gives you plenty of time to warm up your legs and soak in the scenery.

As you climb, the landscape shifts around you. The trail winds through dramatic mountain terrain, and on most days you’ll be hiking at or above the cloud line. This hike offers one of the most surreal and memorable experiences on Madeira. Stop often. The views are worth it!

After 1.5 miles, you’ll arrive at Casa de Abrigo, a mountain refuge that offers overnight accommodations, restrooms (bring cash!), and a chance to grab some refreshments. This is a great spot to catch your breath before the final push to the summit.

Don’t skip the rest stop because the next section is short, but it means business.

Casa de Abrigo to The Summit of Pico Ruivo

From this point, you are so close. It’s only a steep, 0.4-mile walk to reach the peak. Work your way up the switchbacks one step at a time. You’ll see the landscape that was burned in the fires in prior years.

And then, the summit. The views up here are outstanding!

Scan the horizon, and you’ll spot the Atlantic Ocean stretching out in shifting shades of blue. On a clear day, you can even make out Pico do Arieiro in the distance. This is the very place many hikers start their day.

It’s a view that puts everything into perspective. Take it all in. You’ve earned it.

The Descent

When you’re ready, retrace your steps back down to the parking lot. The return trip is much easier and mostly downhill with just a few short uphill stretches to keep you honest.

Take your time and enjoy the views from a different angle on the way down.

Achada do Teixeira

You made it! Now it’s time to reward yourself! The Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café is right at the trailhead and the perfect place to end your hike.

Grab a cold poncha or beer, and dig into their rustic menu of burgers, salads, pasta, and sandwiches. And whatever you do, don’t leave without picking up some of their homemade pastries to go. Trust us on that one.

💤 Planning to stay in Funchal? Compare prices and options to find the best option for your trip here!

Madeira Guided Hike

Don’t Forget Your Rental Car

If you want to make the most of your time on the island of Madeira, be sure to book a rental car and book it early. For the best rates, check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! You really can’t go wrong with DiscoverCars.

If there is one takeaway about rental cars in Madeira, make sure you get the smallest one that fits your party. Roads are narrow, and parking can be tough!

Visit our other post to get our full 9-day itinerary for the island of Madeira. You’ll find more epic hikes, things to do, and a helpful map to help you plan.

Where to Stay

Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a bit more.

We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities. Check out Tripadvisor to compare locations and prices.

• Check out VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rentals across the entire island of Madeira!
• 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar.
• Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine.

Final Thoughts

The views from the Pico Ruivo Hike were so cool! Like the PR1 Trail, we were hiking above the clouds again and couldn’t get enough of it. The landscape on the Pico Ruivo hike is totally different than near Pico do Arieiro.

We actually planned our vacation to Madeira about a year in advance, and we were very sad to learn about the trail closure on PR1 due to fires. We thought for sure they might have it back open by the time we arrived, but they didn’t. We even had our ride back to the starting point booked already!

Sometimes your plans may be derailed, and that is out of your circle of control. In the end, we were able to hike each trail, and it worked out fine in the end. If you can complete the through hike with a ride back, that is what we recommend.

However, you could just choose to do PR1 or PR1.2, and that is fine too! Be sure to check out our guide on Pico do Arieiro, too!

Lastly, we wanted to note that sometimes the trails up in the higher elevation areas on Madeira can close due to wet weather or snow as well. Keep your eye on the trail status and happy hiking!

🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Tripadvisor to book your stay!