Another ‘out and back’ walk that visits the highest summit, Pico Ruivo. The trail climbs along the ridge that separates the cliffs of Faial and those of Santana.


Distance: 2,8 Km (+ 2,8 Km regresso)

Time: 1h 30m

Highest point: 1861 m

Lowest point: 1535 m

Start: Achada do Teixeira

Finish: Achada do Teixeira

Weather subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing

Beginning at Achada do Teixeira this trail climbs up to the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1861m). Next to the Pico Ruivo government house you can gain access to 3 other trails that take the hiker to different parts of the island: PR 1 - Pico do Areeiro footpath (5,1/6,4 Km), which takes you to Pico do Areeiro, the island’s 2nd highest peak (1816m); PR 1.3 - Encumeada Footpath (8.6 Km), goes along the central mountain range to the West; and PR 1.1- Ilha Footpath (8.2 Km), which descends to the parish of Ilha. Along the climb you will meet several shelters as the change in climate is sudden and sharp and the area often becomes covered in a sea of clouds or rests above it.

This area is part of the European network of important areas - Natura 2000 - and is known as the central mountain massif. It covers from the highest peaks to 1200m above sea level. It is characterised by herbaceous and bush vegetation that is well-adapted to big temperature variations, heavy rains and strong winds, and is where you can find many types of heather (Erica scoparia ssp maderensis and Erica aborea), which many years ago were used to produce charcoal.

The trail climbs along the ridge that separates the cliffs of Faial and those of Santana, and so allows for an excellent view to the left of the Ribeira Seca valley, topped by Pico das Torres, and Pico do Areeiro in the background. On the right-hand side you can see the “gables” of the Santana mountain range, from where in the distance you can see the Queimadas Forest Park and further ahead Achada do Marques (a small hamlet known for its straw lofts and traditional fields), which appears in the centre of the Ribeira dos Arcos valley. Towards the interior we can see the Ribeira Grande valley that begins at the “mouths” of Caldeirão Verde and Caldeirão do Inferno.

When visibility is good to the East you can see the rocky outcrop of Penha d’Águia, the Funduras mountain range and part of the S. Lourenço Point (far eastern part of Madeira island).

At Achada do Teixeira you can also visit the “Standing Man” (“Homem em pé”), a basalt formation which you will find walking down the cliff, after passing the Achada do Teixeira government house.

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This walk begins with a relatively short ascent to the highest summit of Madeira, Pico Ruivo, from where it begins a long and almost continuous descent to the village of Ilha, a drop of 1376m. The trail crosses through two types of eco-system that are part of the network of important community sites - Natura 2000: the central mountain massif and the Laurisilva forest.


Distance: 8,2 km

Time: 3h

Highest point: 1764 m

Lowest point: 485m

Start: Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo

Finish: Freguesia da Ilha

weather is subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing;

This trail incorporates a drop of 1376 metres, and the climb up or down should be done slowly, taking in the landscape.
Starting at the Pico Ruivo government house, and after climbing up to the mountain’s highest peak, following PR1.2, it goes down to the Ilha parish. A the hamlet of Vale da Lapa you will walk over the Vale da Lapa tunnel where the trail meets PR9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which begins and ends at Queimadas Forest Park.

The trail crosses through two types of eco-system that are part of the network of important community sites - Natura 2000: the central mountain massif and the Laurisilva forest. The former, from the highest peaks to 1200m, is characterised by herbaceous and bush vegetation that is well-adapted to big temperature variations, heavy rains and strong winds. Here you can see heather plants (Erica scoparia) that are hundreds of years old. Many years ago heather was used for the production of charcoal. As the altitude lessens the indigenous Madeiran forest appears - The Lasurisilva Forest, located in the fog area, between 1200 and 400 metres above sea level. This forest is especially important as a “water producer”, as it condenses the water in the mists on its leaves and takes out large quantities of water, sending it into the ground from where it fills the springs and streams.

You may also see the Bisbis (Regulus ignicapus madeirensis), the smallest of the birds that inhabit Madeira, as well as the curious Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) which happily approaches hikers. If you are careful you may spot the Trocaz Pigeon (Columba trocaz trocaz), flying across the deepest valleys, where the Laurisilva forest is at its thickest.

The hamlet of Ilha became a parish through a decree of the Regional Government in 1989, and it is part of the Santana Municipal area. It covers an area of 1500 hectares, bordered by the parishes of S. Jorge and Santana and the line between the municipal areas of Câmara de Lobos and Santana, which lies at the top of the Pico Ruivo mountain.
As it was the south side of Madeira Island which was first colonised, a lot of land was distributed to colonists on the North side. This practice explains the original name of Ilha which was Jorge Pinto, the name of the man who set up a majorat there in 1556, covering a small area of Santana and another larger area in S. Jorge, which became known as “island majorat” (morgadio da Ilha). The local economy is based upon agriculture and its principal social characteristic has been that of a large amount of emigration, which continues to be felt there to this day.

Following the asphalt road stop by Achada do Marques, a small hamlet known for its typical “poios” (agricultural fields) and old straw lofts.

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Linking the two highest peaks on Madeira, this is a stunning walk, involves tunnels, and some steep ascents and descents, with fabulous views of the central core of the mountains.



Distance: 7 Km / 5,6 Km

Time: 3h 30m/3h

Highest point: 1861 m

Lowest point: 1542 m

Start: Miradouro (Belvedere) do Pico do Areeiro

Finish: Pico Ruivo

weather is subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing;
tunnels en route, carry a torch;
carry drinking water.

This trail is unique in that it links the two highest peaks of Madeira Island, Pico Ruivo (1861 m) and Pico do Areeiro (1817 m), traversing part of the Central Mountain Massif, an area integrated in the Natura 2000 Network.

Starting from the Pousada (inn) of Pico do Areeiro, within a short distance we come upon the Ninho da Manta (Buzzard’s Nest) belvedere. From this platform where this bird of prey is supposed to have bred, one can see the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, where some Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinnus) breed, São Roque do Faial and a large part of the Central Mountain Range.

This is the only known breeding site in the world of Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira), a species endemic to the island and considered to be the most endangered seabird of Europe.

To reach Pico Ruivo, we must go around Pico das Torres up a steep incline of steps carved in the rock and then descend, the most difficult part of this trail being the final climb to the Shelter at Pico Ruivo. But the thought of reaching the highest point of the island is a driving force.

Along the way, we find various caves dug out of the volcanic tuff where the cattle took refuge and which served as shelter for the shepherds; we can also see various birds, some of the more important ones being species restricted to Macaronesia, the canary (Serinus canaria), Berthelot’s pipit (Anthus berthelottii madeirensis) and the plain swift (Apus unicolor), as well as other subspecies found only in the Madeira archipelago: the Madeira rock sparrow (Petronia petronia madeirensis), chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs madeirensis), and the firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis).

For those who enjoy plants, this area is known as a high-altitude heath and is marked by the presence of various endemisms of Madeira, which include the Madeira violet (Viola paradoxa), Madeira grey heather (Erica madeirensis), the rock orchid (Orchis scopolorum), and the Madeira kidney (Anthyllis lemanniana).

Near the Pico Ruivo shelter, you will find footpath PR 1.2, which leads to Achada do Teixeira. At Achada do Teixeira you can see “Homem em pé” (Standing Man), a basalt rock formation found on the way down the slope after you pass the shelter at Achada do Teixeira.

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Taking a walk on the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo is reinvigorating, exciting and highly rewarding. Any hiker will find in the trails and levadas (man-made waterways across the mountains) of Madeira a challenge as well as a pleasant surprise. However, most trails pass through mountains in the heart of nature, and for this reason it is very important to get adequately prepared before starting a hike, so that you do not jeopardise your own safety.

Here we shall mention some codes of conduct and safety regulations that should always be followed.

Walking Code:

* Avoid noise or actions against nature
* Do not take plants or animals with you
* Do not throw rubbish away (tissues do not easily decompose)
* Do not light fires
* If you are a smoker do not throw cigarettes ends on the floor, keep them for the dust-bin
* Do not change or damage the signs

For your own safety...

* Before starting out make sure you have update instructions on the route
* Let someone else know where you’re going and when you expect to return
* Be sure to confirm the time it will take so that you can finish before nightfall
* Take some extra food and water with you
* Wear suitable clothes and shoes
* If possible take a mobile phone with you
* In case of heavy rain or strong winds do not go on and/or turn back using the same route
* Don’t take risks

Contacts:

* Emergency number: 112
* Civil Protection: 291 700 112

The recommended routes for hikes within the Autonomous Region of Madeira are considered as small routes (PR). These are duly identified and described so that the users may, right from the start, be aware of the reality they will find. The trails are maintained, inspected and signposted by regional governmental organisations, especially by the Direcção Regional de Florestas (Regional Forest Board), which has helped by transferring some content through one of their projects, the Tourmac Project.

The walking routes recommended in the Autonomous Region of Madeira have been established and regulated by Regional Legislative Decree no. 7-B/200/M.

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Before planning your trip, find out the best way to get to the archipelago, the papers you need, customs formalities and health precautions.


By air
It is easy to fly to Madeira or Porto Santo. The daily flights between Lisbon and Funchal take 1 hr 25 min. It takes about 15 minutes to fly from one island to the other.
There are two airports, Madeira International Airport and Porto Santo Airport.

By ship

A common port of call for cruise ships, the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo are the arrival points for the islands as well as the ports of departure for other destinations.

Between June and September, Spanish shipping company Naviera Armas offers a ferry boat service for passengers and vehicles, using the vessel “Volcán de Tijarafe”, between the ports of Tenerife and Las Palmas, on the Canary Islands, and Portimão, in the Algarve, with a stopover in Funchal when travelling both ways. This makes it possible for you to come to Madeira with your car.

The daily trips between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo take about 2 hours and 30 minutes, leaving from the Port of Funchal, these trips being made by the ferry-boat "Lobo Marinho" from Porto Santo Line which also allows the transport of vehicles.

It is easy to get around the islands thanks to the modern road network, which has been significantly improved in recent years. Practically all the places of interest are easily accessible.

Documents required
Visitors coming from EU countries belonging to the Schengen Agreement have unrestricted entry. Visitors from non-Schengen countries need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa.

Customs Formalities
There are no restrictions on goods leaving the archipelago. However, if the customs officers think the quantity is excessive, they may ask you to prove that the items are for your personal use.

Vaccinations and health precautions
You do not need any special vaccines before coming to the archipelago. Emergency hospital treatment is free of charge for European Union citizens and there is a private health service to provide medical assistance to visitors of other nationalities.

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