pico ruivo

Amazing views if the the day is clear. We went up to Ruivo last week, and there was not a single cloud in the sky so we could see the entire island from one end to the other.We walked from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and then came back from Achada do Taxeira. My expectations for the hike were so high that is was almost impossible to meet them :) The views were nice, but not so much different from other hikes in nearby places, e.g. Pico Grande. The view from Pico Ruivo was certainly the highlight.To get to Arieiro we took a taxi, for which we paid 29 euros (via http://www.taximadeira.com/). From Achada do Taxeira we hitchhiked to Santana and took a bus back to Funchal. In the tourist information we were told that the route from Arieiro to Ruivo is closed, but it is not. Because of a landslide the trail makes a detour, which you can see in an attached picture. A tour company also told us that we have to go with a guide, because doing alone is dangerous, which is not true. The path was good and not dangerous, maybe there were a few steeper places and one or two places where the handrail was missing, but not in places where it was necessary. Most tourists go to Ruivo from Achada do Taxeira, so the trail from Arieiro was not busy.Before going I would suggest to check the weather forecast, you can also check a webcam in Arieiro as the weather is different in different towns:http://www.netmadeira.com/webcams-madeira/pico-do-arieiro

We had intended to trek from Ariero to Ruivo on Friday 6th March but had to stop after Pico de Torres due to the cloud coming in. We found out that we had only been half an hour away from Ruivo but it worked out for the best. On Sunday 8th March, the weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky and we had the best views, amazing pictures and not lots of tourists. When we come to Madeira again, we will do the trek in it's entirety. The mountains of Madeira are the most beautiful that I have seen so far in this world.

What can I say? I can only realy recomended this trip to everyone who loves nature and amazing views.You can get there by car, like We do if You would like to save a time for another atractions around. The nearest car park is Teixera. Is free of charge and from the car park is 2.8 km walk to the pick of the mountain. Not realy difficult walk for all the age categories.

We took a guided walk from Pico do Arieiro which was about 7K with lots of descent and ascent as you cross the mountains, much of it on narrow paths and steep staircases and tunnels, so not for the faint hearted. There is a much easier and shorter route from Achada de Teixeira. Either way everyone should stand on the top if they can - views are of course weather dependant, but we were lucky this time (we have had to give up once before) and had a clear day with views all around, including back to Pico do Arieiro.

Great view point considering it is the highest point in Madeira. If you are lucky not to have a cloudy weather, you'll get a fantastic view. The access from Achada de Teixeira is really like a walk in the park (45-60 minutes walk, with a steep 'finale').

We took Horários do Funchal #103 to Poiso. From Poiso to Pico do Arieiro starting point is a long way. We hitch-hiked as in the morning all cars on the road were going to Pico do Arieiro. And, we hitch-hiked from Pico do Arieiro to Funchal. Thank you for theGerman/Polish couples who gave us a ride.We started around 9am. We took the longer round then shorter rout back. The path is well-marked, and you can't be lost as there're many hikers. I don't think the guided tour is necessary. The path to the summit was closed near the end and rerouted. Just follow people. We came back to Pico do Arieiro starting point around 4pm. We're average to a little above average in terms of fitness. I saw a few couples going faster than us, but most times we passed other hikers. But there're places we had to take a rest for never-ending uphill and steps, especially the last 1H climb. And my wishful thinking made me believe where the hut was the summit, but there's probably 15min more to go. The view from summit is worth all the sweats. It's not better than Mauna Kea, but it's my 2nd best view.Tips:* Start as early as possible. The afternoon tends to be cloudy and doesn't worth all trouble for no view.* Bring LOTS of water & food. If I do it again, I'd bring min 1L water for each person.* Bring jacket. Shaded areas are cold with strong wind.* Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat* Bring camera* You can fill your water at the hut right before the peak. But no food/water till there and from that point.* Be careful of what you're holding on (I mean railing). Some plastic layers were damaged and cut your hand. Also end of wire can cut your hand. Both of us had minor cut. You don't want to breed while climbing.

What a nice place! We went to the top twice. Once in the sunshine and once when the rest of the island was overcast. You could just see the refuge.

We walked from Pico de Arriero to Pico Ruivo and back. It took us under 6 hours, with a small lunch stop up the top and lots of stops for photos. We were welcomed with a beautifully clear, hot day and spectacular views out over Madeira. The first part of the walk is well fenced, and mostly downhill. The walk does not begin to get difficult until after you have gone through all 5 tunnels under Pico De Terra. From here, the ground becomes sandy and dusty which makes it difficult to maintain grip. The uphill sections start from here, consisting of some new metal staircases which are very steep in parts. You then sweep around the Northeastern part of Pico Ruivo, leading to the hut at the top. Do not expect great hospitality as with the rest of Madeira from the hut, but it is a good place for a toilet break and to fill up your water bottles. The walk back starts off downhill, but the last hour or so is all uphill and quite a struggle! We were massively greatful for the cafe and the car at Pico de Arreiro.Oh - don't bother paying for a guided walk, it's well signposted and waymarked.

Wow! This is such an amazing place, the views are incredible ; you can see half the island on a clear day! We made the 'short' walk from the car park, around 3km each way, it takes a few hours each way as the path is up and down and you will want to stop and photograph everything!! You can really read the geology like pages of a book, and see the way they were crumbled and folded by tectonic activity. The volcanic colours and layers of the soil really back this up. The jagged and dramatic cliffs are breathtaking!There is a small shop and toilets before the final climb to the highest summit. Take plenty of water, snacks and layers of clothing!

We hadn't realised the pass was closed until just before we arrived.We took 9 hours walking from Pico do Arieiro and back which included lunch and a number of stops to take pictures and catch our breath.There is a 600m section were the ground is very loose with sand and scree. We took over an hour to traverse this section. June feels very unsteady over such terrain. I persuaded her to shuffle on her bottom on the way back. This shaved 20 minutes off the time. There are some serious ascents during this section too so the time taken wasn't all down to the nature of the ground.We managed to do the entire walk in shorts and T-shirts. It was a very cloudy day but they were all beneath us.I've ticked stairs/lift below as there are actually flights of stairs to climb some sections.A very varied walk.

The walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo re-opened on 10 April 2014 for the MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail). We walked it on 19 April and in spite of cloud, wind and some rain it is still a dramatic hike. Don't forget your fleece, torch, waterproofs and long trousers. It was 5c when we started the walk.There are rails for the dangerous sections and new ladders have been installed to a new section to replace the area affected by a rockfall - see photos.

This is an absolute MUST do and see and experience when being on Madeira. We were planing on doing the trek from Pico Aeirio to Pico Ruivo but unfortunately it was still blocked due to a landslide ( should reopen Mid April). So we drove to the parking space at pico Ruivo instead and did the short hike to the peak which was SO rewarding the views were absolutely stunningly beautiful we were there mid morning which I think is the best time as the clouds do begin to move in aroung 11 already and block you the view. All in all if you are even remotely bound to like nature´s beauty there is no way of not loving this little piece of heaven on earth!

If you like trekking and hiking and plan to visit Madeira, the track through Pico Ruivo is a must. In guides such as '50 best walks on Madeira' it is commonly written that Pico Ruivo and Encumeada paths give the complete view on Madeira's mountains and I can confirm it.But if the weather is bad, better pick another track. This is not because of safety - as I consider this track quite easy, fit person can do it even during moderate rain or fog (if you have proper clothes). It is because of views. During cloudy or rainy wweather, there will be almost nothing to see or to enjoy, except the fact of doing good outdoor physical exercise :)

We took the lazy route by driving to the parking lot and hiking the three kilometers to the top of Pico Ruivo. We're experienced hikers and we love nature, but we have never walked to a mountain before. We visited Pico Ruivo in December 2013. In december the sun rose around 8 am and went down around 7 pm. We got to the parking lot by 8 am and saw the sun rise which looked amazing as the sun rose from the clounds! Gladly we didn't aim for the peak at sunrise as the gates would have been closed! I can't speak portugal but as to my understanding the sign next to an open gate down the mountain which had the parking lot (not Pico ruivo) said the gate is opened at 7 am and closed at 7 pm. To my understanding most people need about an hour for the short hike, we took almost two as I have a tendency to take too many photographs along the way! Either way, should we have planned to get on top of Pico ruivo by 8 am for the sun rise (and walked the route in darkness) we would have been waiting at the gate below the mountain with the parking lot! From the gate there was still about a five to ten minute drive to the parking lot. Furthermore, the two huts were closed in december. The first one was at parking lot and the next was below the Pico ruivo peak. The latter had some people in it, but I didn't really see any activity in there and it didn't look "inviting" (closed doors and windows, nothing on the yard). I think they had rented it for a group etc., so we just sat on the yard eating our own snacks and used the open toilet outside the main building. The trail was easy to walk and it had no sudden drops etc. My girlfriend is affraid of heights but she enjoyed this. It has no steep cliffs on the path. Especially for those who are not experienced hikers, make sure to reserve some time, water and snacks or food. Walking in high altitude differs from the ground level and it suprised me a bit. Take a bag to bring your litter away with you. Check the weather forecast before taking the hike, if it's cold prepare with plenty of clothes. It was +5 °c (41 °f) when we walked and I forgot to take a hat, but I had a hoodie. Oh my poor ears! And I'm from a cold country! It's not just the temperature, it's the wind that makes it even colder. There was ice on the road in the last turn when we drove to the parking lot. And in the trail there were ice on spots where there had been a small water puddle. So the shadowy places obviously had minus degrees. The beginning of the short parking lot to pico ruivo trail is mostly in shadow during morning (meaning that it's cold) and the second half is mostly in sun (meaning that it's hot). If you're coming from Funchal it might be a fun idea to take the express route via the high way to the mountain and go back the older more curvy road. It has nice views and it drives through some old forests and a nature park, but it takes a bit longer.

We started our tour at Achada do Teixeira. The weather was misty and wet. It was a bit scary at firste because of the mist and wet path. During the walk the weather cleared up before te climbing to the highest house, the sun came. We saw the top of the pico ruivo and it gave us a good feeling. At the peak, we could see Curral das Freiras and the windmills on Paul da Serra. It was enormous and peaceful. We stayed there for an hour until everyone was gone and we heared nothing but some sounds of bees and one bird. It was great! On our way back, we could see the Pico do Areeiro.