Sunrise Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira
By Pico Transfers · listed in sunrise tours and guided hikes at Pico do Arieiro
I'd consider this for a walk between the peaks at your own pace. It's a sunrise transfer with a walk on your own. Choose a guided hike if you want someone leading the walk.
You arrive at Pico do Arieiro before sunrise. The 11 km walk goes via Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira. It includes tunnels and stairs. The return drive passes Santana's houses without stopping.
Pickup and return transport in Funchal and Caniço are included. You can also meet at Parque 2000 in Funchal. Agree the return pickup time before starting the walk. Government fees cost extra.
- Trip type
- Shared tour with stops
- Departure
- FunchalMeeting point and check-in below
- Duration
- 7 hours 30 minutes
- Listed group limit
- up to 8 people
- Price
- from €50 per adultLowest price the operator lists. Your date may cost more.
- Rating
- 4.79/5 from 249 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.7 from 119 reviews
- Languages
- English
- Details as of
- 13 September 2026
Before you book
- Travellers must be aged 14 to 80.
- You need moderate fitness.
- Pickup covers Funchal and Caniço only. You can also meet at Parque 2000.
- Your pickup time arrives by WhatsApp or email the evening before.
- Agree the return pickup time before starting the walk.
- Give this one a miss if you're pregnant, or if you have a back or spine injury or a heart condition.
- At least one adult (14+) per booking, up to 8 people per booking.
Options
Pick the option on the booking page. Prices are the lowest for each option.
| Option | What it is | From | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Transfer | Arieiro - Ruivo - Teixeira: From Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo To Achada Do Teixeira (11 km = 4:30 hours in total). Level: Medium-Hard. Pickup included | €50 per adult | English |
Book through Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Programme
- Pickup in Funchal and Caniço, about 30 minutes
- Start walking without a guide at Pico do Arieiro around sunrise, about 3 hours for this stage
- Continue via Pico Ruivo to Achada do Teixeira, about 2 hours for this stage
- Drive back to Funchal or Caniço past Santana's houses without stopping
What the operator writes about each stop
- Funchal
Pick-up of all travelers (máx. 8) in Funchal and Caniço.
- Pico do Arieiro
We will arrive at Pico Do Arieiro just before the sunrise so that you appreciate this unforgettable landscape at the beginning of your hike. It is popular for being the path in Madeira with the most breathtaking views because of the weather diversity along the hike. You will feel that you walk “above the clouds” and on the challenging path you will find a few tunnel-walks and the famous “stairs to heaven”.
- Pico Ruivo
Pico Ruivo, with 1862 meters of altitude is the highest mountain in Madeira Island, it is also the third highest mountain in all Portugal. To access the peak you must arrive walking. The absolute best way is from Pico do Arieiro (the 3rd highest mountain on the island with 1810 meters of altitude). From Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo To Achada Do Teixeira (11 km = 4:30 hours in total). Level: Medium-Hard.
- Santana
At the end of the hike, in the drive from Achada Do Teixeira to Funchal/Caniço, we will pass by without stopping in front of the triangle Santana houses.
Photos
Photos from the tour listing on Viator.
Included
- Taxes
Paid separately
- Government fees
Meeting point, pickup and return
Hotel pickup or meet at the start point. Pickup 30 minutes before departure. 102 pickup points listed by the operator.
We pick-up customers in all type of accommodations in Funchal and Caniço (hotel, hostel, Airbnb, apartments, etc.) We will notify your exact time of pick-up 1 day before your transfer in the evening, via WhatsApp or email. Please provide your phone number with country code, email, name of your accommodation, address, and a reference point. You can also find in our profile: "Morning Hike from Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo".
For customers coming by car to Funchal from other parts of the island outside our pick-up areas (Funchal and Caniço) we recommend to park at Parque 2000 as it is the cheapest and most comfortable parking of Funchal center. We will pick you and drop you there. Show in Google Maps
You come back to the same place.
Schedule and confirmation
Usual timetable: daily, at 05:30, 05:45, 06:00, 06:15, 06:30. Check your date when you book.
The operator confirms after you book. Book at least 1 hour ahead. Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
Cancellation, weather and limits
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 100% refund when cancelled 1 day or more before
- 0% refund when cancelled less than 1 day before
Bad weather can cancel the trip. The trip can also be cancelled if too few people book.
The operator's conditions, as written
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Adult rate: ages 14 to 80
Ratings by source
4.79/5 from 249 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.7 from 119 reviews.
| Source | Average | Reviews | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | 4.7 | 119 | 103 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Tripadvisor | 4.8 | 130 | 120 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Counts and averages as shown on Viator on 13 September 2026. We don't have the review texts.
From the operator
In Pico Transfers's own words, from the Viator listing.
Shared budget transfers to enjoy this amazing hike in your own rhythm! Designed for travelers that are looking for freedom! Pick-up and drop-off are included in Funchal and Caniço.
After we pick all guests (up to 8) in their accommodation in Funchal or Caniço (only), we will go to Pico Do Arieiro 20-45 min. before sunrise and you can enjoy the amazing hike to Pico Ruivo, the highest point of the island! Prepare yourself for stunning landscapes!
You will walk on your own rhythm through this famous trail and find the challenging "stairs to heaven" and walk "above the clouds" or with the other guests if you choose to. We will pick you all at the ending point to take you back to your accommodation.
The path to do this hike is from Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo To Achada Do Teixeira (11 km = 4:45 hours in total). Level: Medium-Hard.
PICO TRANSFERS... enjoy nature in your own rhythm!
Travel Agent & Tourism Licence: RNAVT N° 9866
Insurance: Allianz
COPYRIGHTS RESERVED © 2019 - 2023
Alternatives in the same collection
- Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group€10 dearer · 1 hour 30 minutes shorter · from €60 per adult
- Sunrise in Areeiro Peak€10 dearer · 3 hours 30 minutes shorter · 7 people at most · from €60 per adult
- Sunrise Tour @ Pico Do Areiro | Half Day 4x4 Tour€26 dearer · 2 hours 30 minutes shorter · 6 people at most · from €76 per adult
Who checked this
Edited by Roman Antonov. I love Madeira and keep going back. Every detail on this page comes from the operator's own listing on Viator, as of 13 September 2026.
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