Vereda da Ilha (PR 1.1): Pico Ruivo to Ilha
Vereda da Ilha descends from Pico Ruivo to Ilha through Laurisilva forest. The IFCN table gives a distance of 8.2 km. Entry costs €4.50 per person with an online booking through SIMplifica.
- Status
- OpenOpen. IFCN table dated 2 October 2026 · checked by islandmadeira.com 13 October 2026 at 16:54, 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.
- Length
- 8.2 kmIFCN table, Pico Ruivo to Ilha.
- Time on the board
- 3hAs printed on the panel at the start. The IFCN table lists the return separately where a route is walked both ways.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,764 m and 490 m
- Start and finish
- Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo to IlhaFrom the route board at the start.
- Fee
- €4.50 per person, booked onlineBooking on the SIMplifica portal, fees as of 2 June 2026. Free for children aged 12 or under, for Madeira residents with their resident card and citizen card, and for anyone with a disability of 60% or more together with one legal guardian walking with them, on proof of the disability. All of them still need a booking.
- At the start
- information board, leisure area, shelter, café, toilets at Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo
- Coordinates
- Start 32.76021, -16.94158
Finish 32.80595, -16.91166From the IFCN route board, decimal degrees - Weather now
- 11.0 °C at Pico do Areeiro, 1,799 mThe IPMA station we show for this route, observed 13 October 2026 at 15:00, Madeira time
Warnings come from IPMA by zone, not by trail. A yellow warning for fog, wind or thunderstorms is a reason to check the route status and the sky before you set off, and the forest service closes paths on its own schedule. Station readings.
The route down to Ilha
The route board gives 8.2 km from Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo to Ilha. Allow 3 hours one way. Its description includes a climb to the summit before the descent towards Ilha.
The board records a drop of 1,274 m. It asks you to take the climb or descent slowly. The highest point shown is 1,764 m. The lowest is 490 m.
From mountain vegetation to Laurisilva
The walk crosses the central mountain massif and Laurisilva forest. Both belong to the Natura 2000 network. Higher up are heather plants hundreds of years old. Heather was once used to make charcoal.
Lower down you enter Laurisilva forest. Mist condenses on its leaves and feeds water into the ground. Beyond the Vale da Lapa tunnel the path meets PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde.
Weather and footing
Take warm clothing for frequent changes in the weather. Wear non-slip footwear. The board warns that the path may be slippery.
The weather panel shows readings from Pico do Areeiro at 1,799 m. Check the live route status here before setting off. A weather warning alone doesn't close a route. IFCN's status decides access.
What the board marks at each end
At Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo the board marks a leisure area and shelter. It also marks a café and toilets. Check opening arrangements before relying on those facilities.
Information boards are marked at the shelter and at Ilha. For a taxi enquiry, the board gives Santana taxis on +351 291 572 540.
Booking PR 1.1
Register on SIMplifica and choose an entry slot online. IFCN offices don't take bookings or payments. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain. Allow about 15 minutes of leeway either side of your slot.
Children aged 12 or under go free. Madeira residents need their resident card and citizen card for free entry. People with a disability of 60% or more go free with one legal guardian walking with them, on proof of the disability. Everyone still needs to register and book.
Planning another route
PR 1.2 links Achada do Teixeira with Pico Ruivo. It is 2.8 km each way. If you're adding another route, I'd check its own live status before booking.
For two or more routes, the day fee is €9 per person. Three days cost €22.50. Seven days cost €52.50. These fees exclude PR 1. Book each route separately. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically.
What the route board asks
- Weather subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing.
- The path maybe slippery so wear non-slip footwear.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Santana taxis +351 291 572 540.
Routes next door
Vereda do Areeiro PR 1
open6.1 km, Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
Vereda do Pico Ruivo PR 1.2
open2.8 km (+ 2.8 km back), Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo
Vereda da Encumeada PR 1.3
partly open11.2 km, Pico Ruivo to Encumeada
Status from the IFCN table, re-read at every build and again in your browser.
Questions before you go
How long does Vereda da Ilha take?
Allow 3 hours one way using the route board's timing. Its 8.2 km runs from Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo to Ilha. The IFCN table gives 8.2 km from Pico Ruivo to Ilha.
Is PR 1.1 open?
Use the live status panel on this page before travelling. Check its timestamp and any access restrictions. If your plan includes a neighbouring route, check that route separately too. A weather warning doesn't automatically close a path.
Does PR 1.1 cost the same as PR 1?
PR 1.1 costs €4.50 per person, the fee for most classified routes. The full PR 1 route costs €10.50, and the fee table lists PR 1.1 inside PR 1: with that ticket there is nothing more to pay here. PR 1 is excluded from the day, three-day and seven-day fees. Book online through SIMplifica.
Do I need a guide?
A guide isn't compulsory on PR 1.1. You still need an entry booking through SIMplifica. Follow the board's advice to take the climb or descent slowly. Bring warm clothing and wear non-slip footwear.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone doesn't qualify. Refunds or rescheduling apply only when the competent authorities or IFCN close or restrict the route on your booked date. Email IFCN within 10 working days of the booked date. A change of mind or illness means losing the fee. So does a missed flight.
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 1.1 at the start of the route: distance, time, heights, description and cautions, read 20 September 2026.
- IFCN, fees and bookings FAQ, updated 2 June 2026, read 14 September 2026.
- The fees in law: Portaria 801/2025 and Portaria 48/2026, read 24 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.