pico ruivo

pico ruivo印象

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  Mark_Dornoch

  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.

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  TanjaH776

  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!

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  mikaelbos

  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.

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  eMVeeBelguim

  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.

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  Miekemuis

  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.

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  Zdzislav

  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 :)

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  richard2112

  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.

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  186aidasm

  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

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  DanC581

  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').

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  fjane84

  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!