How to Hike Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1 Hike in Madeira)
If you want to visit Madeira, the PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is probably at the top of your bucket list. It is one of the most beautiful and famous hikes in Madeira, known for its dramatic views, lush landscape, and fun trail.
The PR1 hike had been on my bucket list for years, and it was the first place I put on our Madeira itinerary. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The entire hike was breathtaking and was easily more beautiful in person than in photos. My jaw dropped in awe at its beauty along the entire trail.
If you want to hike the PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, you are in the right place! I created this guide to have everything you need to know about hiking the PR1, including the new permit system and some tips to help you have the best experience.
Get your camera and hiking boots ready! Trust me, you will want to take a million photos along the hike, as I did.
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Is the PR1 Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Open?
Yes, the full PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is officially open as of April 2026. But there are a few things you should know!
The full PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo was closed in August 2024 after devastating wildfires swept through Madeira. The only part of the trail that was open was from Pico do Arieiro to the Stairway to Heaven.
A lot of preservation work has been done since, and the full trail officially opened in April 2026.
This is a super helpful resource with updates on the hiking trails in Madeira, including the PR1.
New PR1 Hike 2026 Update
The PR1 is currently only a one-way trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. The only portion of the trail that is two-way is the section between Pico do Arieiro and the Stairway to Heaven. Once you are at Pico Ruivo, you will take PR 1.2 to its trailhead.
This means you cannot hike it as an out-and-back, and you need to find transportation from Pico Ruivo back to Pico do Arieiro if you drove yourself to the trailhead.
But! Do not worry. It is actually a lot easier than you think to get back to the trailhead. Since the trail is only one-way, taxis are lined up at the end of the trail to take you back to Pico do Arieiro.
We shared a taxi with a few other hikers, and it ended up being around €15 per person, which I did not think was too bad, considering it is about an hour drive.
Which Permit is Needed to Hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo?
Madeira recently installed a new reservation system (check it out here) for its hiking trails to help manage trail congestion and preserve the fragile environment. Most of the PR trails require a permit, and you will book a 30-minute time slot in advance. That 30-minute slot is when you should arrive to start the hike.
If you want to hike the entire PR1 trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, you need to make sure you are selecting the correct permit because there are two on the site:
PR1 | Vereda do Areeiro - Pico Ruivo (sentido único) - this is the one you want because it allows you to hike the entire PR1 trail
PR1 | Vereda do Areeiro até ao Miradouro da Pedra Rija - this only allows you to hike until the Stairway to Heaven
The permit you want is €10.50 a person, which is more than the other trails on Madeira. This permit allows you to start at Pico do Arieiro, hike to Pico Ruivo, and then hike the PR 1.2 trail to the parking lot.
The time slots for the PR1 hike book up quickly, especially on weekends, so I recommend reserving a slot as far in advance as you can. We were visiting when the trail reopened, and the time slots sold out in a few minutes. We were super lucky to grab one, but that shows how popular the trail is, especially after it had been closed for a few years.
How to Get to the PR1 Trailhead
You have a few ways to reach the start of the PR1. Since it is currently a one-way route, you have to start the hike at Pico do Arieiro.
You can either drive yourself (what we did), take a bus, grab a taxi, or book a trip with a hiking guide. I will dive into each to help you decide which works best for your trip!
By Driving
If you have a rental car, you can easily drive yourself to the trailhead. I would give yourself a bit of extra time to make the drive because the mountain roads can take longer than expected.
Now, if you drive yourself, there are a few things you need to know.
First, let’s talk about timing. If you plan to watch the sunrise near Pico do Arieiro, I recommend arriving about 1.5 hours before the sunrise. It is one of the most popular sunrise spots on Madeira, and the parking lot fills up quickly.
If you are hiking later in the day, I recommend arriving at the parking lot at least half an hour before your time slot. We arrived about an hour before our time slot to give ourselves extra time in case we needed to wait for a parking spot and to hike from the parking lot to the trailhead.
Secondly, let’s talk about parking. Pico do Arieiro has two parking lots, but you should park in the lower lot. Here is the spot on Google Maps so you can save it. The lower lot has more parking spots and a cheaper rate (about €5 for the entire day).
Thirdly, let’s talk about how to get from the parking lot to the trailhead. Once you park in the lower lot, you will follow the trail up to Pico do Arieiro. The trail starts right across the street from the lower parking lot and is easy to follow to the top.
And lastly, let’s talk about how to get back to your car once you finish hiking the PR1. Because the PR1 is currently a one-way trail at the moment, you need to find transportation from Pico Ruivo to Pico do Arieiro.
One of the easiest ways is to take a taxi. Taxis will be lined up at the end of the trail, waiting to take hikers back to the trailhead. We found a taxi within minutes of arriving because there are so many taxis available.
You can also prearrange a pickup, but they were pretty pricey when we went, and they book up quickly. We found that taking a taxi was super easy!
By Taxi
You can, of course, take a taxi to and from the trailheads for the PR1. I recommend reserving your taxi in advance, especially if you plan to go for sunrise. It is more difficult to find a taxi early in the morning.
By Hiking Transfer
Quite a few companies offer hiking transfers, making it easy to know you have definitive transportation to and from the PR1. These services pick you up at either a predetermined spot or your hotel, bring you to Pico do Arieiro, and then pick you up a few hours later from Pico Ruivo.
Honestly, we were considering doing this just so we did not have to deal with finding parking, but most of these sold out quickly. If you want to book a hiking transfer, I recommend reserving it in advance!
By Bus
If you are staying in Funchal, you can take a bus to Pico do Arieiro. This option is pretty inexpensive (only a few euros), but it is limited because the bus only has two services from Funchal to the trailhead: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Here is the official site if you want more information.
Once you arrive at Pico Ruivo, you will need to take a taxi back to Funchal. We heard a few people using Bolt to get back to Funchal, too.
By Tour
If you do not want to deal with planning and would rather hike with a guide, you have plenty of tour companies to choose from! When you go with a hiking guide, they should provide transportation to and from the trailhead, making it easier for you. This is also a great option if you do not feel comfortable hiking the PR1 by yourself.
What to Pack to Hike Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
One of the best tips I received before hiking the PR1 was to pack layers. The PR1 connects the two tallest mountains in Madeira, and the temperatures will be colder at each summit than the rest of the trail. The weather is also very unpredictable and can change quickly.
Also, if you plan to watch the sunrise near Pico do Arieiro, you must have warm layers, no matter what time of year you visit. It is very cold near the summit, and you will thank me later for having warm layers.
This is a great baseline for what to pack, and you can adjust as needed:
hat and gloves
sunscreen
headlamp (for the tunnels)
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo PR1 Hike Overview
The PR1 hike is one of the most famous hikes in Madeira because it is stunning. I can honestly say it lived up to the hype!
You can either hike the full PR1 trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo or hike only from Pico do Arieiro to the Stairway to Heaven. Both require different permits (refer to the permit section above for more info).
If you can secure a permit for the full PR1, you will not be disappointed. It is honestly such a beautiful hike, wandering along cliffs and through tunnels, all while providing breathtaking views.
PR1 Hiking Stats
If you want to hike the entire PR1 trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, here are the trail stats:
Length: 5.4 miles (8.7 km)
Elevation gain: 2,400 feet (732 m)
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Permit: €10.50 per person (PR1 | Vereda do Areeiro - Pico Ruivo (sentido único))
Facilities: Both Pico do Ariero and Pico Ruivo have bathrooms at their trailheads. You will need cash to enter them.
Food: Pico Ruivo has a beautiful cafe near its trailhead, called Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café.
Webcam: I used these webcams to check conditions.
If you only want to hike the Stairway to Heaven, here are the trail stats:
Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 km)
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet (366 m)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Permit: €4.50 (PR1 | Vereda do Areeiro até ao Miradouro da Pedra Rija)
Facilities: Both Pico do Ariero and Pico Ruivo have bathrooms at their trailheads. You will need cash to enter them.
Food: Pico Ruivo has a beautiful cafe near its trailhead, called Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café.
Webcam: I used these webcams to check conditions.
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo PR1 Trail Map
Full PR1 Hike From Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo:
Pico do Arieiro Only to the Stairway to Heaven:
Hiking Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: The Full PR1 Route
This step-by-step guide has everything you need to know to hike the entire PR1 trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo! The PR1 trail was one of my favorite hikes in Madeira, so I know you will love it, too!
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not, take your trash with you and throw it away once you reach a trash bin.
Pico do Arieiro to Ninho da Manta
The PR1 starts on Pico do Arieiro, where you get beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. If you want, you can hike the short trail to Miradouro do Juncal, which is the go-to sunrise spot. The views from here are beautiful, no matter what time of day you visit!
From Pico do Arieiro, the trail immediately begins to descend.
The views from this portion of the trail are stunning! (You will probably hear me say that a lot because the views are so beautiful along the entire trail.)
After about half a mile, you arrive at Minho da Manta, which is a small overlook with breathtaking views.
Ninho da Manta to the Stairway to Heaven
After Ninho da Manta, the trail quickly brings you towards the Stairway to Heaven.
You begin to steeply descend the stairs while taking in the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
The Stairway to Heaven is not for the faint of heart! This section has steep drop-offs on either side, but the trail has railings, which help.
The Stairway to Heaven to Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo
If you only have a permit to the Stairway to Heaven, you will turn back here and make your way back to the trailhead. But if you have the full PR1 permit, you will pass through the gate and continue on the trail. When we visited, this gate did not open until between 8 and 8:30 am.
Once we passed through the gate, we saw the officers ahead checking permits to ensure everyone had the correct one. We started the hike around 9:00 am and arrived at this spot just after 9:30 am, so we did not have to wait too long in line to get our permits checked. But we met other hikers with 8:00 am time slots, and they had to wait in a pretty long line.
Once your permits are checked, you can continue along the PR1 trail. The entire rest of the trail from this point to Pico Ruivo is incredible and fun!
The views are, of course, breathtaking along the entire trail, but the trail also has tunnels! I believe we passed through four or five tunnels, which was fun. I recommend bringing headlamps for the tunnels, too.
The trail is relatively flat for the most part until you are about 2.7 miles into the hike. The next mile gains about 1,000 feet of elevation, but it is worth it once you get to Pico Ruivo!
Just before Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo, you will pass by another officer and a gate. This gate does not allow anyone to enter the PR1 from the Pico Ruivo side, and the officer checks to confirm you have the correct permits.
Once you pass through the gate, you will quickly come upon Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo. The mountain hut has a few tables and chairs outside where you can enjoy a quick break and snack before beginning the final push to Pico Ruivo.
Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo to Pico Ruivo
At Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo, you will see plenty of trail signs pointing you in the right direction to Pico Ruivo. The final push to the summit is only 0.3 miles, and before you know it, you will reach the summit of the tallest mountain on Madeira!
The 360-degree views from Pico Ruivo are stunning! I also recommend hiking to each viewpoint near the summit to enjoy the views.
Since Pico Ruivo is the tallest mountain on Madeira, the weather can be unpredictable. When we were on the summit, the clouds moved in very quickly, and before we knew it, it was raining. It is another reason you should pack layers and a rain jacket for the hike.
Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira
Once you are done enjoying the views, you will hike back down the way you came until you reach Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo. From here, you will follow the signs to Achada do Teixeira (the PR 1.2 trail)
This section of the trail is two-way, and you will likely pass many people hiking to Pico Ruivo. A lot of people hike Pico Ruivo as an out-and-back if they can’t get the PR1 permits. It is a bit easier to get Pico Ruivo permits than PR1 permits.
It is about 2.7 miles from Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira, and most of the trail is a descent with only one small incline. The descent is very gradual, which is great for tired legs!
Before you know it, you will arrive at the parking lot. You can either immediately grab a taxi or head to Achada do Teixeira Mountain Spot Café to enjoy a snack and drink. I recommend visiting the cafe because who does not want to enjoy a snack with a view after a hike?!
Achada do Teixeira to Pico do Arieiro
Once you are done enjoying your time at the cafe, you can grab a taxi from the parking lot. There were plenty of taxis available when we finished, making it easy to get a ride back to our car at Pico do Arieiro.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PR1 Hike
Is the PR1 hike worth it?
Absolutely! I can confidently confirm it lives up to the hype, especially if you hike it on a beautiful weather day.
I know some popular hikes can seem overhyped, but the views and entire hiking experience on the PR1 were incredible and worth the effort. The entire trail had breathtaking views of the surrounding lush landscape.
The trail itself was also fun! Of course, the Stairway to Heaven was beautiful (and adrenaline-pumping!), but the rest of the trail also had fun features like tunnels. I believe we passed through four or five tunnels along the trail.
If you manage to get a permit, you will love hiking from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo.
Do I need a permit to hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo?
Yes, you need to book a time slot in advance to hike the PR1. Most of the PR trails require a permit, where you will book a 30-minute time slot in advance, and that 30-minute slot is when you should arrive to start the hike. You can book a time slot here.
If you want to hike the entire PR1 trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, you need to make sure you are selecting the correct permit, which is “PR1 | Vereda do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo (sentido único)”. The other permit available for the PR1 only allows you to hike to the Stairway to Heaven.
The permit you want is €10.50 a person, which is more than the other trails on Madeira. This permit allows you to start at Pico do Arieiro, hike to Pico Ruivo, and then hike the PR 1.2 trail to the parking lot.
Is the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike one way?
Yes, the PR1 hike is currently one-way. The only portion of the trail that is two-way is the section between Pico do Arieiro and the Stairway to Heaven. Once you pass the Stairway to Heaven, the rest of the trail is one-way until Pico Ruivo.
How do I get back to Pico do Arieiro after hiking the PR1?
If you drive yourself to Pico do Arieiro, you can take a taxi back to your car once you finish the hike. Taxis were lined up at the parking lot when we finished the hike, making it easy to find a ride back to our car.
How long does the PR1 hike take?
The PR1 hike takes about 3-5 hours because, trust me, you will stop to take photos along the entire trail. I recommend allocating a half-day to the hike to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the full experience.
If you want to hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, you are in the right place! I created this guide to have everything you need to know to hike the entire PR1 trail in Madeira.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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