PR1 – Pico do Arieiro: What To Expect On Madeira’s Ultimate Hike
You surely can’t go to Madeira without hiking the epic PR1 – Pico do Arieiro and PR1.2 – Pico Ruivo, right? Well, what do you do if you plan your trip to the island and part of the trail is closed?! Maybe you planned to complete PR1 as a through hike to Pico Ruivo, but now you can’t. Or maybe you are short on time and only want to hike part of this route?
Have no fear! This is the guide for you. We will discuss how to hike PR1 if you encounter any trail closures. PR1 – Pico do Arieiro had recently been closed due to a fire in the area, so we had to improvise.
Learn more about how we did it, along with some scenic stops you can visit in between these two great hikes if you are hiking both PR1 and PR1.2 separately.
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Things to Know
🥾 All classified hiking trails, including PR1 Pico do Arieiro & PR1.2 Pico Ruivo, on Madeira now require reservations and payment through the SIMplficia Portal. There will be an increase in fees on PR1 compared to other hikes due to its popularity. 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 do Arieiro
- June 1, 2026-June 26, 2026: Plan to visit on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, as trail improvements continue through the weekdays.
- June 26, 2026: Full opening is planned, and the trail will be available every day of the week.
- When the trail opens, the full route will be one way only from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo as construction and trail improvements continue.
- Book your transport from Pico Ruivo Trailhead/Achada do Teixeira to Pico Arieiro here.
- You should be able to hike both ways along this trail from Pico Arieiro to the Pedra Rija viewpoint, which is exactly what this guide covers. However, it’s still not clear if this two-way section will stay.
- 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.
- Many visitors choose to watch the sunrise here, and this is the busiest time to arrive. If you arrive well before sunrise (when it’s dark) or a few hours after, you shouldn’t have a parking issue.
- There have been more parking lots added in recent years, so you may need to park and walk up the mountain along a short, somewhat steep trail – it’s a 10-15 minute walk, which isn’t bad.
- Parking costs are €4/hr in the closest, top lot and €2/hr in the lower lot.
- We were able to use our credit card in the lower lot with no problem at all.
- Bring some cash euros to use the restrooms, as there is a charge here.
- Should you need a bite to eat or a coffee, visit the cafe and souvenir store.
- There is really no shade on this trail.
- Bring plenty of sunscreen and water!
- Don’t forget your jacket – it will be colder up in the mountains.
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 we had to alter our plans due to the PR1 – Pico do Arieiro trail closure.
🚗 To check out our full 9-day itinerary on Madeira, along with a map of what we did each day, including some other amazing hikes and things to do, visit our post here!
Webcams In Madeira
It can often be cloudy in the mountain regions of Madeira. However, sometimes these hikes are above the clouds, offering an epic hiking experience. Take a look at the live webcams before making your plans to drive up to Pico do Arieiro or Pico Ruivo!
PR1 – Pico do Arieiro
During our visit to Madeira, we were only able to hike to the Pedra Rija Viewpoint. Don’t worry, this part of the trail includes the famous stairway to heaven section of this trail. Due to trail closures from a fire, we turned around at the closure point. Round-trip, this hike is about 2 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain.
First up, start your hike at the Pico do Arieiro summit and viewpoint. We had to park in the lower parking lot and walk to the summit. This was a little less than half a mile uphill.
The PR1 trailhead is through the buildings and past the cafe. Now, if you are only visiting for a view of the area at the viewpoint, this is free. However, once you step out onto the trail, you should have paid for reservations already.
During our hike, there was an IFCN staff member here looking at reservations and taking payments if you had not already paid. Don’t forget, they have now implemented timed entry as well.
💤 Planning to stay in Funchal? Compare prices and options on Expedia to find your dream hotel!
Summit to Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
Start by making your way down the stone path trail. As you hike along this section of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the mountains. Depending on the weather, you may be hiking above the clouds. What a cool experience!
The only other place we have gotten to hike above the clouds was at Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii.
During our hike, the Scotch broom flowers were in bloom, and the entire summit was covered in a yellow glow. The strong smell of the sweet honey flowers is unforgettable.
This section of the hike is about half a mile, and you will lose elevation as you hike toward Miradouro do Ninho da Manta.
Take your time here and really soak up the epic views. This is absolutely the best hike we did on Madeira. We couldn’t get enough!
Most of the trail here is flat rock and steps with rope lining the edge of the trail. As you approach Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, you’ll arrive at a platform that offers breathtaking views of the mountains.
Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
This is a great place to stop for a rest and enjoy some panoramic views. You may even spot some lizards here. I always wonder if they are afraid of heights while sitting on the railings overlooking a sheer drop off. 😄
Take some selfies here and then get ready, because next up is the stairway to heaven.
Stairway to Heaven & Turn Around Point
The section between the viewpoint and the stairway to heaven is pretty short at about 0.3 of a mile. The stairway to heaven section of the trail is an Instagram-famous spot that we have all seen in photos and reels!
When you arrive at the stairway to heaven, you’ll actually be descending the steps, and this is the final section of the trail that is open to the end, at the Pedra Rija Viewpoint.
Please do not hike past the trail closure here. It’s unfortunate that during our hike, some folks were doing just that. Please be respectful and heed all trail closures. If the trail is closed, it’s closed for a reason and for your safety.
🥾 Looking for more hikes in Madeira? Check out the PR8 – Ponta de São Lourenço trail.
Lastly, enjoy your time here, soaking up all the epic views that this hike has to offer. As you’ll be right near the stairway to heaven, you likely won’t have this section of the trail to yourselves, but it’s still so cool!
Finally, hike your way back to the summit at Pico do Arieiro. From the ending viewpoint, it’s about 1 mile, making this a total of 2 miles out and back.
When you arrive back at the summit of Pico do Arieiro, hop in your car and head to two viewpoints before traveling to Pico Ruivo.
We were really bummed out that we were unable to complete this as a through hike, including PR1.2, but I guess we will just have to return someday. This is truly a one-of-a-kind hike.
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Miradouros do Paredão
After your epic, but short, hike on PR1 – Pico do Arieiro, we recommend visiting a few viewpoints up in the mountains. The first one is about a 15-minute drive from PR1.
Be careful driving on this road as there are some blind curves due to the overgrown yellow Scotch broom. During the blooming season, this road basically becomes one lane, and it can be hard to see in some sections.
After parking at the small lot, walk to the viewpoint across the street. As you hike up the small hill and around to the viewpoint, you’ll have an amazing view of Curral das Freiras, a small village tucked deep inside the dramatic mountain valley below.
Eira do Serrado
For another epic view of Curral das Freiras, drive the steep road to Eira do Serrado. This viewpoint is about 10 minutes from Miradouros do Paredão.
The overlook offers a peek straight down into the deep valley of Curral das Freiras, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.
Additionally, this location includes a hotel, coffee shop, restaurant, and vendors selling plenty of souvenirs. If it’s cloudy, it’s not worth venturing to either of these viewpoints, so be sure to keep an eye on the weather!
🌄 Get all the details you need to hike the PR1.2 trail to the summit of Pico Ruivo.
Madeira Guided Hike
Looking for an epic guided day hike on the trails? Check out the guided hiking options on GetYourGuide! GetYourGuide offers many options for the full day hike to both peaks, or even shorter hikes or sunrise tours if that’s what you’d rather do.
How Do I Do a One-Way Hike?
To complete PR1 and PR1.2 as a one-way through hike, use the route above, starting at Pico do Arieiro. Continue on the entire PR1 trail until you reach the PR1.2 trail. From here, you can take a short side trip to the summit of Pico Ruivo before continuing your way to the ending spot at Achada do Teixeira.
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Distance
If the trails are open, hiking from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira is 5.4 miles with 3,130 feet of elevation gain.
To book your transfer from Achada do Teixeira back to Pico do Arieiro, visit GetYourGuide. This is the perfect way to do both of these hikes as a one-way!
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!
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.
Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:
- A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or 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. Check it out now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- 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. Book right now on Expedia or Booking.com.
Is PR1 – Pico do Arieiro Worth Hiking Even When It’s Partially Closed?
100% without a doubt, YES. We could not get enough of the views along PR1! This trail is definitely up there with some of the national park hikes that we have done. The entire island of Madeira could really be one giant national park.
We had planned our trip to Madeira about a year in advance, and we were super bummed to learn about the trail on PR1 closure due to fires that occurred in 2024. We thought for sure they might have it back open by the time we arrived in 2025, but they didn’t. We even had our ride back to the starting point booked already.
Sometimes traveling throws a curveball at you. In the end, we were able to visit two great viewpoints between PR1 and PR1.2, and it worked out fine in the end. If you can complete the through hike with a ride back, this is exactly what we would recommend.
However, you could choose only one of these routes (PR1 or PR1.2), and our guide above provides a shorter PR1 route to do so. You can still be rewarded with excellent views by hiking only part of this trail on the 2 way section. Don’t think you HAVE to do the entire thing. A portion of this trail is still pretty epic. Plus, this is perfect if you are short on time.
🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Expedia to book your stay!
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