PR1 | Vereda do Areeiro
This moderate difficulty trail covers a distance of 10.8 kilometers and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. It connects the highest points on the island of Madeira, including Pico Ruivo (1862m), Pico das Torres (1851m), and Pico do Areeiro (1817m). You will traverse a part of the central mountainous massif area, an integral part of the Natura 2000 Network.
Hiking Technical Sheet
- Average Duration: 3h / 3h30
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- Distance: 10.8 km
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- Elevation Gain: +1114m
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- Elevation Loss:
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- Highest Point: 1862 m
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- Lowest Point: 1542 m
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- Difficulty: Hard
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- Return to Starting Point: Yes
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- Municipality: Pico do Areeiro
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View Map
The hike starts at Pico do Areeiro, and after a few meters, you will reach the Ninho da Manta viewpoint (Kite's Nest). This location is the only place in the world where the Madeira petrel, an endemic species of the island, nests.
To reach Pico Ruivo, you must bypass Pico das Torres by taking a steep ascent, using a staircase carved into the rock, followed by a descent.
The final ascent takes you to the Pico Ruivo shelter. Near the Pico Ruivo shelter, you will find the PR 1.2 route that provides access to Achada do Teixeira, where you can observe a basaltic rock formation known as 'Homem em Pé' (the Standing Man) as you descend the slope after passing the Achada do Teixeira shelter.