Hiking Madeira’s Iconic Pico to Pico Hike
Today, we set out for Madeira’s bucket list hike: the Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo hike (Pr1). This route connects the third highest and highest peaks in Madeira, respectively, with sublime views almost the whole way along. These views are just so consistently epic that I don’t even know which “representative” photo to put at the top here.

We knew that this is an incredibly popular trail, so we set an early alarm to try to beat the crowds. We didn’t beat the crowds, but we did get to enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the scooter. Ask me for the footage if you see me.

Right away with this hike, you are soaking up this otherworldly atmosphere just above the clouds.


Like all the hikes we’ve done in Madeira, this one is paved and protected most of the way along with a wire railing. No loose gravel sliding here!


Because the hike starts on a peak, the first half of the hike is a descent, which feels a bit unusual.


After a lot of stairs, the trail starts to flatten out and hug the side of the mountain. There were far fewer hikers by now – I assume many of them just came a short ways into the route to see the first peak.


Great little spot for a break about 2/3 in.

In some places, the clouds felt like they were at ground level and you could just walk onto them like in Super Mario.


Made it to Pico Ruivo: the highest peak in Madeira!!

James, get down from there.

At this point, you can hike another hour to a road if you like (Achada do Teixeira). Or, you can turn around and make the hike an out and back. It would have been an hour-long taxi back to the scooter from Achada. So, much to the objection of our legs and knees, we went with the second option.


We were very much rewarded for this choice, as the views on the return journey… well, they didn’t suck.


Quail!


I really can’t emphasize enough how consistently magnificent these views were.


And then, just as we were nearly back to the top of the first peak… the clouds did this.

Sunny on one side, stormy on the other. I know it looks photoshopped, but I swear it’s not.


What. A. Fucking. Day.
Easily one of the best experiences from our entire four-month trip. Thank you, Madeira!
