The Vereda Do Pico Ruivo is the shortest way to the top of Madeira. It offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and even the ocean, often under the blankets of clouds that sit below the path.
It’s also accessible and has plenty of facilities, making it extremely popular with visitors. Due to the short distance and modest elevation gain, inexperienced hikers can complete the walk without difficulty too.
If all of this sounds amazing to you, this post will outline all that you need to know before hiking the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo.
If you’re thinking of going hiking in Madeira, I also have handy guides to Ponta São Lourenço and the Levada Das 25 Fontes.
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Main things to know
Key summary
Full name: PR 1.2 – Vereda Do Pico Ruivo
Distance: 5.6 km (3.5 miles) in total
Duration: about 1.5 hours of hiking
Difficulty: moderate
Length and duration
The Vereda Do Pico Ruivo (known as PR 1.2 in Madeira’s path naming system) is about 5.6 km (3.5 miles) round trip. The path starts from the car park and leads to the top of Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on the island at 1,861 m (roughly 6106 feet).
It takes about 45 to 50 minutes of hiking to reach the top. The way back is usually quicker, as most of the path will be downhill. In total, it’s about one and a half hours of hiking.
However, you should allow more time for breaks. You’lll certainly want to stop at multiple points to take pictures of the majestic views. And you’ll definitely spend plenty of time at the top, admiring the spectacular views and taking even more pictures.
There are also two cafés that you might want to stop at to get food, drinks or to use the toilets. Achada do Teixeira is right next to the car park at the beginning of the path, and Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo is 40 minutes from the start. Bear in mind that there are no other toilets along the path, so I’d highly recommend using the facilities there. Remember to bring some change, though, to pay the small fee to use the toilets.
Therefore, you should allow at least half a day for the whole hike. Ideally, I would recommend dedicating most of the day to hiking Pico Ruivo, and leaving the rest of the day something restful.
Difficulty level
The Vereda Do Pico Ruivo is considered of moderate difficulty. It’s definitely quite accessible and achievable for most hikers. It’s not particularly long or steep, the paths are well-maintained and there are facilities both at the beginning of the path and along the way.
The main factor that makes it harder is the lack of shade. The path lies high on the mountain, so it’s mostly rocks and shrubs and there are barely any trees. There are a few shaded places for you to catch a break, at the cafés and a few covered rest areas, but all the walking is under the sun. Therefore, hikers who are not accustomed to the heat and strong sun might struggle. All hikers should be mindful of this though, stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun.
How to get there
By car
Most hikers will get to the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo by car. There is a small car park and plenty of space to park on the road. The car park fills up quickly though, so it’s likely you’ll need to park on the road. If you’re considering renting a car when visiting Madeira, make sure to compare the best offers here.
The roads, like in most of Madeira, are spacious and in great condition. The only things to bear in mind are that the location is quite remote, so make sure to have enough fuel, and mountainous, so there are many sharp turns and steep sections.
The road may look intimidating, but any car can get up there. In general, most drivers with some experience of mountain roads will have no problem driving up there.
From Funchal, there are two possible routes to the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo. You can take the longer but faster way along the ER101, which is about 50 km (31 miles) and should take about one hour. Or you can take the shorter but slower way through the mountainous ER103. This route is 44 km (27 miles) long and the drive should take one hour and 20 minutes.
If you’re travelling from Porto Moniz, it’s about 50km (31 miles) and the drive should take just over one hour.
From Seixal, the distance is about 43 km (27 miles), for a one-hour drive.
The nearby famous town of Santana is only 10 km (6 miles) away. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to the start of the hike from Santana.
By public transport
Unfortunately there is no public transport to the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo. You can take a taxi from anywhere on the island, but I wouldn’t recommend this as it will be very expensive.
Visiting with organised tours
If you don’t have your own vehicle but would like to hike the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo, this tour is the best option. They can pick you up from your hotel and offer a knowledgeable guide who will make sure the hike is safe and enjoyable.
Best time to visit
Late morning
This is the time most visitors arrive at the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo. You can have a meal or snack at Achada do Teixeira if you want, and start hiking refreshed. You will still have plenty of sunshine hours even in winter months.
At this time the trail can get crowded though. It’s one of the most popular hikes on the island, and it’s quite easily accessible. It’s also the shortest and easiest way to hike to the top of Pico Ruivo, and so it attracts plenty of visitors. The trail is spacious and congestion is unlikely to happen, but the queues for toilets and food will be longer. Taking pictures or videos may be harder as well.
You will also likely have to park your vehicle on the road, as the car park is small and fills up quickly. There is plenty of space, but you may need to park quite far from the café and the start of the hike.
Bear in mind that this will also be the hottest time of the day, so you may want to avoid it if you’re sensitive to the heat.
Early morning
You should start your hike in the early morning if you want to beat the crowds. You will have a peaceful walk up the mountain, as well as at the top.
The early morning will also not be as hot, so it may be better if you’re sensitive to the heat.
However, bear in mind that more people will arrive later in the morning, so you will probably find the crowds on your way back. And the temperatures will be hotter on your way down, so you should still prepare for the heat.
Afternoon
In the summer months, when the days are longer, you could also start your hike at the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo in the afternoon. It will probably still be crowded on the way up, but the top and the way back should be quieter. The car park will likely still be full.
This is a great option if you’d like to avoid the hottest time by arriving later in the day. If you bring a torch you can also stay into the evening and enjoy the spectacular views at sunset.
What to bring
Sunscreen
As previously mentioned, there is virtually no shade during the hike except at the café. Therefore, it’s vital to wear high-protection sunscreen throughout the walk. You should also bring enough sunscreen with you to reapply regularly during the day.
If you don’t wear sunscreen with sufficient protection, you are guaranteed to get sunburnt hiking Pico Ruivo.
A sunhat
This is definitely something I wish I had taken with me when I hiked Pico Ruivo. Most other walkers were wearing one and I could definitely see why. The absence of shade means that you will walk for hours while being constantly exposed to the sun.
Wearing a sunhat will be helpful in keeping your head from overheating, preventing heat stroke or excessive dehydration. Moreover, it will also help prevent a sunburn on your head, which would be uncomfortable for a few days.
Plenty of water
The high summer temperatures and absence of shade also make water a necessity throughout the walk. There is a café at the car park where you can purchase bottled water. After starting the walk though, the only other food outlet is the café, 40 minutes away. You can also refill your water bottle for free at the café with local spring water. Therefore, be sure to get plenty of water before the walk and before heading back from the café.
I would actually recommend keeping your water in a metal bottle rather than a plastic bottle, because it will keep it cooler for longer.
Moreover, they have a great selection of chilled drinks at Achada do Teixeira. You should definitely enjoy a well-deserved refreshing juice after a long walk in the sun!
Packed lunch and snacks
While there are food outlets at the beginning and end of the walk at the Vereda Do Pico Ruivo, the food is quite expensive and the queues are long. Therefore, I would highly recommend bringing your own packed lunch before heading to the hike.
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