Hiking Pico Ruivo from Areeiro (Arieiro) is by far the most challenging and gruelling hike we have ever completed. (I wrote this in 2017 before we’d attempted Volcan Acetenango in Guatemala). Read on if you want to know how we hiked this with our kids who were 13, 7 and 6 years at the time of hiking.

The sunset from Pico Areeiro

We spent a month on Madeira and spent less than £1,000 including accommodation, car hire and flights.

PR1 Vereda Da Areeiro: Hiking Pico Ruivo

Madeira is an incredibly hilly (volcanic) island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and there are a number of hiking tracks which are very helpfully entitled PR followed by a number.  To see those walking routes, click here. (opens in new tab)

How to get to Pico Areeiro

If you’re driving, getting to Pico Areeiro (which is also sometimes spelled Arieiro) is easy and there is a steep road leading up from either Santana or Funchal and there is ample parking in front of the shop-restaurant.

My understanding is that there isn’t a bus service up here but that you can get a taxi for under 10 euros from Funchal. There are also quite frequent mini-bus tours for those wanting to take selfies and have guided hikes.

The road that leads up to Areeiro

When it’s winter time….

For your information:

THERE IS NO CAFE-SHOP AT PICO RUIVO IN THE WINTER

We bribed our children, yeh yeh terrible I know, that we’d stop for food or a drink once we’d hiked to Pico Ruivo. So imagine our horror and their faces when we reached Ruivo to find all the buildings closed!

In typical Madeiran style, there are no notices or anything explaining why or when they’ll re-open. Lesson learned for us! Smack on the wrists and no more ‘positive behavioural reinforcements’ lol.

Apparently, in summer they only sell water and sandwiches but still, it’s better than nothing!

Hiking Pico Ruivo: Where to find the trailhead

Walking through the archway between the cafe and the tatt shop, you’ll see the ‘Golf Ball’; a NATO radar installation. Once through the building, head to the left and this is where the walk starts. You’ll see the wooden signs.

The ‘Golf Ball’ and the wooden signs.

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Hiking Pico Ruivo: The start

As we started hiking the skies were blue, the birds were chirping and the sun was warming my back. It was all pretty idyllic and we were gleeful about this potentially challenging hike.

HO! If only we’d know what was to come lol…

The view from the golf ball

Admire the cloud coverage

We knew it was going to be a steep hike from the descriptions we’d read and looking down we could see the steepness of the pathway within the first few minutes.

The cloud was more than apparent but given the speed it was travelling at we thought it might pass.

It didn’t for a very long time.

Looking down from Areeiro to the track

Enter the abyss

We rounded the corner and descended into the abyss (see photo below)! This might be a slight exaggeration but it does look like something out of a horror movie. The temperature dropped by about 10*c and visibility dropped significantly.

I look back at these photos and think how mad we must have been but I’d do it all again tomorrow!

It’s a phenomenal hike and I’m really proud that we did it as a family. I have since read blogs recommending this walk only for over 10’s but our 6 and 8 year old managed this wonderfully with not one complaint (except about the lack of cafe at Ruivo)!

The view as we descended the peaks walk.

The Three Peaks around Ruivo

Although this walk links the major peaks of Arieiro and Ruivo, it circumnavigates the second highest peak of Madeira; Pico das Torres (1,853m). Phew, thank goodness we didn’t have to contend with that one too.

The two peaks, 4,300ft of ascent are equivalent to Ben Nevis but with extraordinary drops on all sides.

One of the drops over the side of the path

Are you prepared for hiking Pico Ruivo?

Nothing could have prepared me for the pathways cut into cliff faces, the tunnels carved through towers of rock, the flights of steps cut into sheer crags whilst avoiding the rock slides and fallen wire rails and trying to admire the view as well.

Note: 2019 – I’m much more prepared now so if you’re an experienced hiker this will not be too difficult.

Paths cut into rock sides with sheer drops. The cloud was immense!

A choice rock fall 🙂

Doorways cut into basalt rock

A tunnel through the rock

There are some rock slides

It was our plan to walk the eastern route on the way there and the western route on the return however the eastern route was closed due to rock falls.  I understand that it is still closed today and I’m not sure if or when it will re-open.

That’s not to say that the western route doesn’t have its fair share of rockfalls too and you’ll see this on the route.

One of the numerous rock falls on the western path.

You’ll need to go through a few tunnels

The western route has a number of tunnels and from memory, there are about four. They vary in length from a few metres to one which I think is 500m and one even has a bend in it.

You’ll need a torch and not to forget a decent pair of sturdy boots and a head for heights!

One of the shorter tunnels

A tunnel carved into the rock

An open air tunnel

A short tunnel

I think this was 500m long? Maybe wrong

What animal life can you see en route?

Flora and fauna on this hike is bountiful. There are plenty of birds and insects to keep you and your little ones occupied not to mention the flowers, mosses and grasses.

Birds such as the “Freira da Madeira” (Zino’s Petrel), the “Tentilhão da Madeira” (Madeira Chaffinch), the Bis Bis, the “Melro Preto” (Blackbird), the “Perdiz Comum” (Common Partridge) and the “Pintarroxo Comum” (Common Linnet) have their habitat at Pico Ruivo.

Chaffinches are by far the more common bird but we also saw many partridge hopping around in their strange fashion.

Little chaffinch

The common partridge – Perdiz comum

The common partridge

What’s the path like?

The path is generally in good condition however there are quite a few areas where the handrail has fallen away and some of the path has eroded.

It sounds much more dangerous than it actually is but you will need to have a child who understands the significance of a missing rail.

In places, there are some small rock falls but these are easily avoided.

Taking a break on the path

Fallen rocks

Don’t get disheartened by the endless steps of doom

We encountered a series of seemingly endless steps climbing 300m in a little under 1km. Descending these is obviously easier than ascending them but at least you know what to expect the second time around.

Some of the steps are metal, these replace steps cut into the rock that disappeared in a rockslide of 2014, but others are cut into the rock and are wet and slippy. You might need to watch you footing here.

All I can remember from this section was how bitterly cold but sweaty I was. This is where I started to question and think

‘What are we doing?’, ‘Why are we doing this? It’s SO COLD!’.

The sheer exertion of all those steps is hard work and boy did I sweat!

The start of the endless steps

Rich climbing the steps to Ruivo

The steps

The boy climbing the endless steps cut into the rock

That first glimpse of Pico Ruivo

At last, relief comes! You climb the final step and as you round the corner, Pico Ruivo comes into view for the very first time and boy, is it magnificent!!

This was also the first time the cloud had dispersed for us and we caught a glimpse of the blue sky and sun that we’d left behind at Aeeriro.

Suddenly, here, it all seemed worth it. The end was in sight – if not quite obtainable.

Our very first glimpse of Pico Ruivo and the start of the blue sky.

You’ll probably have variable weather

Pico Ruivo is known for its variable weather.  Even in the summer months, the clouds can appear from nowhere. Apparently, in the winter it can snow up there too although we didn’t see any snow.

Being able to be physically above the clouds and look down upon them was for me a massive highlight of the trip. It is something I have long wanted to do and I was so thrilled to have my camera with me – despite its weight and bulk.

It is hard to believe that these photos were taken just 200m apart.

Our eldest emerging through the clouds

Just 200m round the corner you have bright blue skies

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Enter the dead zone

After emerging through the clouds, we arrived at an area where all of the trees were white. We guessed at the time there might have been fires there and it seems that there were devastating fires in both 2010 and 2012.

This area is recovering albeit slowly and whilst the grasses are a luscious shade of green the contrasting white of the trees gives an eerie feel to the area.

Hugs in the Dead Zone

Finally, the base of Ruivo

Another descent follows the dead zone as views open out onto the valley of the Ribeira Seca. After steadily climbing for a further 1.3km we eventually found a way-marker announcing the summit of Pico Ruivo just 500m away!

At this point on the path, you can choose whether to descend down to Achada do Teixeira (opens in new tab) which is a simple 2.4km hike back to Santana. We did this hike separately because I was so desperate to mount Ruivo’s summit.

The pathway bends up to Pico Ruivo

The signposts

The little white house

After what seemed like an eternity, surely not 500m, we arrived at the base of Ruivo and saw the little white buildings. This was really tough on the kids who thought they were at least going to get a drink but at least there was a small toilet still open lol. You’ll need to take your own toilet paper though.

We only had 90m left to the summit of Pico Ruivo BUT the light was going fast, visibility was not great and we ran out of time and I couldn’t make it up there. I was GUTTED! Just 90m left and I thought I could run up it quickly but it was steep and twisty and I just didn’t have the energy. It’s my biggest regret that I didn’t make it up and it still pains me to this day!

This is definitely NOT a walk you want to do in the dark, so we hurriedly ate our sandwiches and turned back to make our way back to Areeriro!!

The little white buildings at Ruivo

A few shots from walking back toAeeriro

I will confess that a little bit of panic started to set in on our way back.

It was cold, really cold, and the light was fading fast. We have one member of our team who is exceptionally slow and we had to keep waiting for that person to catch up.

A combination of adrenaline, exhaustion and panic made me VERY cold. I actually wish I’d taken a spare top to change into at Ruivo so I was less cold from the sweat.

Leaving Ruivo

Climbing back up to Aeriro from Ruivo

One of the pathways cut into the rock

Climbing back through hole in the wall and you can see that visibility is terrible.

And then we saw the golf ball

What a huge sense of relief it was when we saw the Nato radar appear from the clouds, basking in the golden hues of sunset.

It’s still about a kilometre from here but we were so thankful to have made it back up before the sunset and we lost the light. I think at this point that lump in my throat gradually disappeared as I realised we weren’t going to be stuck out on the walk in the dark.

The golf ball at Aeriro

Take time to admire the view

We made it back to Aeeriro just before sunset and I managed to snap these two photos very quickly of Rich and Sophie, our eldest, ascending and admiring the view

Our eldest daughter admiring the sunset

Stay for the sunset from Aeeriro

There was something very deeply moving about that sunset. Maybe because we were physically absolutely exhausted and no words can ever explain how relieved we were to make it back, not only in one piece but before we lost the light.

It was a really beautiful moment and one which we experienced all together. I remember just looking at everyone in turn with a little smile and a tear in our eyes and thinking how perfect a moment it was 🙂

The sunset: Hiking Pico Ruivo

Sunset over Aeriro

Hiking Pico Ruivo

Sunset from Aeeriro

The sunset: Hiking Pico Ruivo

Our thoughts on this walk

Notes from 2017: I can truly say that this is the most exhilarating, breathtaking and awe-inspiring route I have trodden in my life. It was a phenomenal hike. It sapped all my energy, it drove me to desperation and tears, it made me smile and it united us as a family. You have to try it!

One member of our party is VERY slow and whilst we completed it in just over six hours, we could have completed it easily in four and a half. Our younger children didn’t complain once and they loved the walk.

Notes from 2019: We’re so much more experienced now and although we’ve done more challenging hikes, this remains a favourite.

Half of the trekking map

I used LiveTrekker to map our hike but sadly my phone died three-quarters of the way around. The route is actually 15.5km in total taking into consideration all of the peaks.

You can use this map from GPSies.com

Top tips on hiking Pico Ruivo with kids!

1. You’ll need a head for heights to complete this.
2. Definitely you’ll need sturdy footwear with a tread and grip.
3. If you have walking poles, they would help. If not, no big problem.
4. Wearing layers of clothes would be advisable. Different length sleeves, definitely a warm outer layer and I would recommend a change of under top when you’re at Ruivo.
5. Start early. Do not leave this hike until 1pm (especially in the winter).
6. You’ll need to prepare all of your food to take with you; we took sandwiches, nuts, dried fruit, energy bars and some grapes. Don’t underestimate how powerful a handful of nuts and raisins can be psychological. I would also suggest leaving a few bars in the car to come back to.
7. I would suggest a minimum of 1 litre of water per adult and yes I know how heavy this can be. We took 3 litres and left 1 litre in the car to come back to. We almost ran out of water after we’d eaten at Ruivo but left a few gulps.
8. Our kids were 6,7 and 13 years old when they did this hike. There is no reason why a younger child couldn’t complete it although I would suggest a good tether if you’re hiking with a toddler. We saw a family hiking with a baby in a back-pack – just remember how COLD it can get and wrap up warm with hats for young kids.
9. Do you need a torch? Maybe

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P.S This is no longer the most difficult hike we’ve completed! We took our kids up the infamous volcano in Guatemala, Acetenango and camped at the top for a night!

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