On this sunrise hike of Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, you'll discover the incredible beauty of Madeira and explore the most impressive landscapes of the island at dawn.
Activity Details
At the indicated time, we'll pick you up from your hotel in a minibus and head toward Pico do Arieiro, the third-highest peak on Madeira Island.
We'll arrive at the starting point, and, following the instructions on the digital map, you'll begin the ascent on foot. As you head up the trail, you'll get some glimpses of the marvellous panoramic views as you're met with the morning light.
The first stop on the route will take us to the viewpoint near Pousada do Pico do Arieiro, where you'll have stunning views of São Roque do Faial and the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, two of the places you'll see birds flying freely.
After conquering Pico do Arieiro, the route will bring us to Vereda del Burro, a hike of approximately 5 hours, where you'll walk on a trail through rocky terrain and narrow paths.
This trail, which starts at an altitude of 5921 ft (1805 m), right below the peak of Pico do Arieriro, where you'll admire the valley of Ribeira do Cidrão and the plateau of Paul da Serra, part of the western mountain range on the island. You'll also pass Poço da Neve, a 19th-century storage facility in the shape of an igloo used in the past to store snow and hail that fell on these mountains.
The hike will end at the Reception Center of the Ecological Park, the perfect spot to discover the rich flora and fauna of the area, where a small farm filled with donkeys awaits. As a reward, you can enjoy the well-deserved hot chocolate at the Restaurante Barracão.
Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain in Madeira. The path you'll take, which will last around 5 hours, will bring you through rocky terrain and narrow trails. Once finally at the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views, which make for amazing photographs.
Afterwards, we'll continue the tour by minibus, passing through the coastal towns of Machico and Santa Cruz.
Finally, we'll take you back to your hotel, where we'll arrive 8 hours after pickup.
Options & Schedules
When making your booking, you'll be able to choose one of the following options:
- Sunrise Tour at 5:30 am: this is the best option to enjoy the sunrise
- Morning Tour at 9 am: If you don't want to get up too early, you can choose this option. Keep in mind that you will not see the sunrise on this tour. The itinerary will be the same as the sunrise tour, but without the sunrise.
Self-Guided Tour
Please note that this hiking tour is done without a guide. The day before the activity, we'll send you the digital map and the route instructions. The driver will take you to the starting point and drop you off at the end of it.
Hotel Pickup
Please note that this tour includes pickup from hotels in Funchal, Caniço.
