Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo: a private tour above the clouds
A day just for your group: Pico do Arieiro by car, the climb to Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira with a guide, and Ilha on the way back.
€400 for the group, up to 3 people
In short. It’s a private day tour for up to 3 people, with a mountain guide and a driver. It stops at the Pico do Arieiro viewpoint, climbs on foot to Pico Ruivo on the PR1.2 trail, from Achada do Teixeira and back (5.6 km), and drives through Ilha, in the Santana district. It costs €400 for the group, with pick-up at your accommodation in Funchal, the booked entry time and the trail fee included. It isn’t the full PR1 crossing.
- for the group, up to 3 people
- €400
- on foot, from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo and back
- 5.6 km
- at Pico Ruivo, the highest point in Madeira
- 1,862 m
- Duration
- 8:00 to 16:30, about 2 hrs 45 on foot
- Route
- 5.6 km on the PR1.2 (2.8 km each way)
- Level
- 3 of 5, moderate
- Altitude
- 1,818 m at Arieiro and 1,862 m at Pico Ruivo
- Where
- Pick-up at your accommodation in Funchal
The day, hour by hour
Tap the times on the day’s line to see each stop. In yellow, the parts on foot.
A day among the peaks, stop by stop
Achada do Teixeira
Meet the guide and start the PR1.2, the trail up to Pico Ruivo.
On foot, with the guide
By carPick-up at your accommodation
The driver meets your group in Funchal and heads up into the mountains in a private vehicle.
By car, stop at the viewpointPico do Arieiro
Stop at the viewpoint, at 1,818 m, for the views and photos. This part is by car.
- On foot, with the guide
Achada do Teixeira
Meet the guide and start the PR1.2, the trail up to Pico Ruivo.
On foot, at the top of the islandPico Ruivo
The highest point in Madeira, at 1,862 m, with time to take it in and take photos.
- On foot, 2.8 km back
End of the walk
Back to Achada do Teixeira on the same trail, with breaks and the snack you bring.
- By car
Ilha
A drive through the parish of Ilha, in the Santana district, with a stop for the views.
- By car
Back to Funchal
Drop-off at your accommodation. Times follow your group’s pace and the weather.
Walk: 5.6 km on the PR1.2 (2.8 km each way). Pico do Arieiro and Ilha are by car. Times are a guide and follow the booked entry time and the weather on the day.
What it is
It’s the peaks day without the logistics of the crossing: the driver picks your group up in Funchal, drives up to Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) for the views and takes you to Achada do Teixeira, where the walk with the guide to Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest point (1,862 m), begins.
The walk is the PR1.2, the Vereda do Pico Ruivo: 2.8 km each way on the same trail, with time at the top for photos. On the way back the car goes through Ilha, a parish of Santana, before returning to Funchal. The group is yours alone, up to 3 people.
Why it’s worth it
- The highest point in Madeira. Pico Ruivo stands at 1,862 m and, on a clear day, the sea of clouds lies below the peaks.
- Just your group. The guide and the car are yours alone, at your pace, with time for photos.
- No logistics. You don’t drive the mountain roads, book entry times or pay fees separately.
- The shortest way to the top. The PR1.2 climbs from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo in 2.8 km and comes back on the same trail, without the one-way crossing of the PR1.
Fixed price and what’s included
What’s included
- Experienced mountain guide during the walk
- Driver and private vehicle for the whole day
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Funchal
- PR1.2 entry time booked on SIMplifica and fee paid
- Stops for photos and explanations
- Taxes included in the price
- Surprise treats from GoTraveltastic
It isn’t the full PR1
The walk is on the PR1.2, from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo and back (5.6 km). Pico do Arieiro and Ilha are visited by car. The crossing from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1, 6.1 km, one way) and the descent to Ilha on the PR1.1 (8.2 km) aren’t part of this tour.
Tell us the day: we confirm the trail entry time and your booking on WhatsApp.
With us or on your own
The same day, organised two ways. The figures are the official ones.
| What | On your own | With GoTraveltastic |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Hire car and mountain roads to drive yourself | Driver and private vehicle, with pick-up at your accommodation |
| PR1.2 entry time | Booked by you on SIMplifica, for each person | We book it |
| Trail fee | €4.50 per person (non-residents over 12) | Included in the price |
| Parking at Pico do Areeiro | €4 an hour, first 30 minutes free | Not needed |
| Guide | No guide | Experienced mountain guide |
| If the weather turns | You decide alone | The guide adjusts the day for safety |
Before you go: booking and rules
- Booked entry time. Since 1 January 2026, classified trails such as the PR1.2 need an entry time booked on SIMplifica. We book it for you, and the fee is included in the price.
- Fitness. The climb to Pico Ruivo has steps and ascents above 1,500 metres: it’s a moderate trail, for people who can walk for about 3 hours with breaks.
- Lunch. It isn’t included: bring water and a hearty snack for the walk.
- Confirmation. The tour is confirmed subject to entry times and the guide being available on your day.
What to bring
- Walking shoes with a good grip
- Windproof and waterproof jacket
- Water and a hearty snack
- Sun cream and a cap
- Phone or camera
What if the weather changes?
The day depends on the weather, on the trails being open and on the official entry times. With thick fog, strong wind or a weather warning, the guide adjusts the day for safety, and we never enter a trail the IFCN has closed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this tour the full PR1?
- No. The walk is the PR1.2, from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo and back (5.6 km), and Pico do Arieiro is visited by car. The crossing from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1) is one way only and has its own guide on this site.
- How much does the Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo tour cost?
- €400 for the group, up to 3 people, with guide, driver, pick-up at your accommodation in Funchal, the booked entry time and the PR1.2 fee. Lunch is extra.
- Is the Pico Ruivo hike from Achada do Teixeira hard?
- It’s a moderate mountain walk: 2.8 km each way, with steps and climbs, and about 2 hrs 45 on foot with breaks. It’s the shortest way to Pico Ruivo.
- What if there are more than 3 of us?
- The fixed price is for up to 3 people. For larger groups, ask us for a proposal on WhatsApp.
- Where is the pick-up?
- At your accommodation in Funchal, at around 8:00. If you’re staying elsewhere on the island, tell us where and we’ll adjust the time.
- What if the weather is bad?
- The guide adjusts the day for safety and we never enter a trail the IFCN has closed. Up there the weather changes fast, so the plan depends on the conditions on the day.
- Do I need to book the trail?
- Yes. Since 2026, classified trails need an entry time booked on SIMplifica. We do it for you, and the fee (€4.50 per person, non-residents over 12) is included.
Shall we arrange it all? Just tell us the day.
We arrange it all: pick-up at your accommodation, driver, guide, the PR1.2 entry time and the fee. Just tell us the day and how many you are.
€400 for the group, up to 3 people
Tell us the day: we confirm the trail entry time and your booking on WhatsApp.
The stops on this day
Each stop has its own guide, with costs, hours and how to get there.
Pico do Arieiro
Sunrise by bus, parking, the cold and the webcam
Viewpoint free, bus €3
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