PR 1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: the rules since the 2026 reopening

Edited by Roman Antonov · route details as of 14 September 2026

PR 1 closes between Pedra Rija and Pico Ruivo for works from 14 to 17 September and from 21 to 22 September 2026. The €4.50 walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pedra Rija and back stays open. The full route opens daily outside these dates.

The PR 1 path on the ridge between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo
Photo: Krzysztof Popławski, CC BY 4.0
Status
Partly openPartly open. Two-way between Pico do Areeiro and the Miradouro da Pedra Rija; the one-way section from the Miradouro da Pedra Rija to Pico Ruivo is listed as closed. The east path over Pico das Torres is also closed. IFCN table dated 14 September 2026 · checked by islandmadeira.com at 18:21 Madeira time.Fetch the current trail status from the IFCN page; one live request per 30 minutes for the whole site, otherwise the last check is shown.IFCN notice: the section between the Pedra Rija viewpoint and Pico Ruivo is closed from 14 to 17 September and from 21 to 22 September 2026 for scheduled works on the path (a boardwalk is being installed); no bookings for those days. The two-way section from Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija stays open on those days. IFCN notice.
Length
6.1 km6,1 km by the west path (tunnels); 7 km by the east path over Pico das Torres, which the table lists as closed.
Time on the route board
3 h (west path), 3 h 30 (east path)
Highest and lowest point
1,857 m and 1,491 m
Start and finish
Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
Fee
€10.50 for the full route, €4.50 to the Pedra Rija viewpoint and backBooking on the SIMplifica portal, fees as of 2 June 2026. Free for children aged 12 or under and for residents, with a booking.
At the start
parking, café, toilets, information board (Pico do Arieiro)
Weather now
25.0 °C at Pico do Areeiro, 1,818 mThe nearest IPMA station, observed 14 September 2026 at 17:00, Madeira time

Walking from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

Start at the Pico do Arieiro viewpoint. This is a mountain walk through the Central Mountain Massif. The area forms part of the Natura 2000 network. The path has steep climbs and descents between the island's highest peaks.

A short way from the start is Ninho da Manta. This viewpoint looks across the Fajã da Nogueira valley and São Roque do Faial. The area is the world's only known breeding site for Zino's petrel.

Your route continues along the west path through tunnels. You start at about 1,800 m. The path drops to about 1,500 m near the middle. There's still a climb to Pico Ruivo ahead of you.

At Pico Ruivo you'll find a shelter and viewpoints. The peak reaches 1,862 m. PR 1.2 branches off near the shelter towards Achada do Teixeira. Reaching Pico Ruivo still leaves the walk to your chosen exit.

The board allows 3 h (west path), 3 h 30 (east path). That board dates from 2021. The east path is now closed. Follow the direction and exit rules below when planning your walk.

The one-way section and your exit

From 14 to 17 September and from 21 to 22 September 2026 the section from Pedra Rija to Pico Ruivo is closed. A boardwalk is being installed. You can't book this section on those dates.

The section from Pico do Arieiro to the Pedra Rija viewpoint stays open during the works. You can walk it in both directions. The walk to Pedra Rija and back costs €4.50.

The full route reopened on 1 May 2026. It began opening every day on 26 June 2026. Outside the works dates it opens daily.

Beyond Pedra Rija the route normally runs one way towards Pico Ruivo. You leave Pico Ruivo by PR 1.2 to Achada do Teixeira or PR 1.1 to Ilha. IFCN doesn't bring you back to Pico do Arieiro. Arrange your own return transport for a full-route walk.

The east path over Pico das Torres is also closed. PR 1.3 to Encumeada remains closed between Boca das Torrinhas and Encumeada. Leave that exit out of your plans until it reopens.

Check the live status line at the top of the page before travelling. The route status determines access. A weather warning doesn't automatically close the trail.

Preparing for the mountain walk

This walk needs some physical preparation. I'd choose another walk if you aren't ready for steep climbs and descents. Save enough energy for the ascent to Pico Ruivo. You still have the walk down to your exit after the summit.

Pack warm clothing for weather that changes often in the mountains. Carry a torch for the tunnels. Bring drinking water for the walk.

The live reading here comes from the Pico do Areeiro IPMA station. It's the nearest weather station to this route. Check the weather page before setting off.

Booking Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

The full route costs €10.50 per person. That fee also covers your exit by PR 1.1 or PR 1.2. It will cover PR 1.3 when that route reopens. The €4.50 ticket only covers Pico do Arieiro to Pedra Rija and back.

PR 1 is separate from the day and multi-day fees. A €9.00 day fee won't cover this walk. The €22.50 three-day fee and €52.50 seven-day fee exclude it too. Choose the PR 1 ticket for the route you intend to walk.

Booking is only online through SIMplifica. You need to register before making the booking. There are no bookings or payments at IFCN offices. Choose an entry slot with places still available.

Your slot applies when you enter the Pico do Arieiro area. Start there at your booked time. Don't treat it as your arrival time at the Pedra Rija gate.

There's about 15 minutes of tolerance before or after the slot. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain. A full slot closes automatically.

Children aged 12 or under enter free. Madeira residents need their resident card and citizen card for free entry. If you have a disability of 60% or more, you and one companion enter free. Everyone still needs a reservation.

You can reschedule or request a refund only if IFCN closes or restricts the route. Rain alone doesn't qualify. Neither does a change of mind or illness. A missed flight also means losing the fee.

Email IFCN within 10 working days to request the change or refund. Check the route status before making that request.

Getting to the start and back

There's parking at Pico do Arieiro. You can use the café and toilets before starting. The information board is here too. Sort out your return journey before leaving a car at the start.

IFCN doesn't provide transport back to Pico do Arieiro. Arrange pickup at Achada do Teixeira or Ilha to match your exit route. Your entry slot needs to fit your journey to the start.

For a taxi, contact Táxis Funchal on +351 291 764 476. Táxis Santana is on +351 291 572 540. Give the driver your chosen exit when arranging the journey. Mention the car at Pico do Arieiro if you need to get back to it.

With a guide or on your own

A guide is optional on PR 1. I'd pick the guided sunrise hike if you want a guide and a small group on the trail. For transport at either end, the sunrise transfer takes you to Pico do Arieiro for sunrise. It brings you back from Achada do Teixeira after the hike to Pico Ruivo.

Other routes to and from Pico Ruivo

For a shorter approach to Pico Ruivo, start PR 1.2 at Achada do Teixeira. It's 2.8 km to the summit and the same back. PR 1.1 is the 8.2 km route from Pico Ruivo to Ilha. Check the other routes and their status before choosing a different walk.

Vereda do Areeiro, PR 1
Photo: Krzysztof Popławski, CC BY 4.0
Vereda do Areeiro, PR 1
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Vereda do Areeiro, PR 1
Photo: Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (Lmbuga), CC BY-SA 4.0
Vereda do Areeiro, PR 1
Photo: The Kopf System, CC BY-SA 2.0

What the route board asks

  • A mountain hike with steep climbs and descents: it asks for some physical preparation.
  • The weather changes often: take warm clothing.
  • Tunnels on the route: carry a torch.
  • Carry drinking water.

From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Táxis Funchal +351 291 764 476; Táxis Santana +351 291 572 540.

Guided walks on this route

Prices and ratings as of 13 September 2026. All sunrise tours and guided hikes at Pico do Arieiro → · All guided levada walks in Madeira →

Routes next door

Questions before you go

Is PR 1 open?

The full route normally opens daily. The section from Pedra Rija to Pico Ruivo closes for boardwalk works from 14 to 17 September and from 21 to 22 September 2026. You can't book that section on those dates. The €4.50 walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pedra Rija and back stays open. Check the live status before travelling.

How long does the walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo take?

The 2021 board allows 3 h for the west path. It's 6.1 km from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. You'll then need to leave by PR 1.2 towards Achada do Teixeira or PR 1.1 towards Ilha. Make time for the journey back to your start too.

How hard is the PR 1 walk?

PR 1 has steep climbs and descents. You need some physical preparation for the walk. The middle of the trail drops to about 1,500 m. Pico Ruivo is at 1,862 m. Pack warm clothes and drinking water. Have a torch with you for the tunnels.

Should I visit Pico do Arieiro or Pico Ruivo?

For a viewpoint with a café and toilets, try Pico do Arieiro. You can walk from there to Pedra Rija and back. For a walk up to Pico Ruivo, take PR 1.2 from Achada do Teixeira. That route is 2.8 km each way.

Can I walk back to Pico do Arieiro along PR 1?

You can walk back from Pedra Rija. Past the viewpoint you must head towards Pico Ruivo. Choose an exit to Achada do Teixeira or Ilha. Arrange a lift or taxi back to Pico do Arieiro.

How much does it cost to walk PR 1?

Entry for the full route is €10.50 per person. That includes PR 1.1 and PR 1.2 as exit routes. The €4.50 ticket is for Pedra Rija and back only. Day and multi-day fees don't cover PR 1. Children aged 12 or under pay nothing. Free entry still needs an online booking.

Where does my PR 1 entry slot apply?

Your entry time applies to the Pico do Arieiro area. The gate at Pedra Rija comes later in the walk. Register on SIMplifica to book your slot online. You have about 15 minutes either side of that time.

Sources

  • IFCN, table of classified routes: status and length. IFCN table dated · checked by islandmadeira.com ; re-read every few hours.
  • IFCN, route board PR 1 at the start of the route: distance, time, heights, description and cautions, read 14 September 2026.
  • IFCN, fees and bookings FAQ, updated 2 June 2026, read 14 September 2026.
  • Viator, tour prices, ratings and programmes, as of 13 September 2026.

Who checked this

Roman Antonov, editor. The status comes from the forest service table, the figures from the board at the start of the route and the fee rules from the IFCN FAQ, each with its date above. If something on the ground has changed, tell me.

Tour links go to Viator, where we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It does not change which walks are listed. How we earn.