The highest point on Madeira, 1,862 metres, reached on foot above the clouds.
You cannot drive to the top of Madeira. The last stretch is always on foot, and that is what makes the summit different from Pico do Arieiro, where the car park is a few steps from the view.
The easy way starts at Achada do Teixeira, above Santana: a paved path along a ridge, steadily uphill, with shelters along the way and a mountain hut just below the summit. Most people in reasonable shape can do it. The hard way is the famous path from Pico do Arieiro, along knife-edge ridges, up stairways cut in the rock and through tunnels.
On a good morning you stand in sunshine with the whole island below you under a floor of cloud, and Porto Santo on the horizon.
A tipThe Arieiro to Ruivo path closes after storms, rockfalls and fires. Check its status with the regional forestry institute (IFCN) the day before, and take warm clothes even in summer.
- Height1,862 m, the highest on the island
- Shortest way upfrom Achada do Teixeira, about 1h15 on foot
- From Funchalabout 1h15 by car to Achada do Teixeira
At the end of the route, in Funchal, four artists draw whatever you bring back from the island: a place, a flower, a word, a set of coordinates.
The outline of the island
Madeira in a single line.