The hike from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo offers one of the most spectacular experiences in Madeira, offering panoramic views of the island’s mountainous terrain and rich landscapes. Pico Ruivo is the highest peak in Madeira, standing at 1,862 meters (6,106 feet) above sea level.
During our visit to Madeira in March we actually experienced a really rough storm. One where you had to stay inside and close the shutters. The day after the mayhem was pretty clear and it was announced that all roads leading to either Pico Ruivo or Pico do Arieiro were closed off. A couple of days went by and I feared we wouldn’t be able to hike Madeia’s most iconic trails.
One morning we ventured on another levada but after 30 minutes we also came across a barricade. By this time I was getting pretty damn frustrated. When we got back to our house I checked the weather app once more and to my disbelief the road to Pico Ruivo had opened up!
We jumped in our car and immediately drove up to Achada do Teixeira! It kinda felt surreal. a tropical island and there was snow on the ground! To say our experience was unique is definitely an understatement!
In this guide I will tell you everything you need to know about the Achada do Teixeira To Pico Ruivo Hike! Why it’s the easiest and fastest way to reach Madeira’s highest peak and the best time to visit to see cloud inversions.
Achada do Teixeira To Pico Ruivo Hiking Stats
Hiking Distance – 6km (3.5 miles)
Average time – 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how long you stay at the top or if you sit down for a drink at the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo.
Inclination – There’s only a couple of hundred meters of incline which makes this hike a lot easier than its bigger sister the Vereda do Arieiro. For most parts the trail is made of stairs which makes it a little less strenuous on your calves.
Difficulty – Easy. This is a hike that is suitable for everyone: families, kids, dogs, you name it. the hike is well sign posted and the hiking trail is wide enough and there are no dangerous drop offs.
Parking Lot – Achada do Teixeira
Starting Point: The car park at Achada do Teixeira, which is well-equipped with facilities including restrooms. The area also features a statue of Madeira’s famous historical figure, Rei Dom Carlos I.
How to reach Achada do Teixeira
Reaching Achada do Teixeira, the starting point for the popular hike to Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak, is straightforward. Here’s how to get there from Funchal, the capital of Madeira:
By Car
Driving is the most convenient way to access Achada do Teixeira:
- Route: From Funchal, take the VR1 highway towards Santana. Follow signs for Santana and then continue towards the village of Ilha. From Ilha, you will find signs directing you to Achada do Teixeira. The roads near the end of the route can be quite steep and narrow, so drive carefully.
- Travel Time: The drive from Funchal to Achada do Teixeira takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and road conditions.
- Parking: There is a parking area at Achada do Teixeira, which serves as the trailhead for the hike to Pico Ruivo. Parking is usually ample but can fill up quickly on weekends and public holidays.
🚗 You can grab your rental car from SunnyCars for the best experience. The biggest tip I can give you is to choose an automatic cause the roads on Madeira can be very steep!
By Bus
Public transportation to Achada do Teixeira is limited and may not be the most convenient option for reaching the trailhead:
- Bus Routes: There are no direct bus routes to Achada do Teixeira. The closest you can get by bus is Santana, and from there, you would need to arrange a taxi to take you to Achada do Teixeira.
- Bus Companies: Horários do Funchal operates buses to Santana. Check their schedule for the latest times and routes.
By Taxi or Ride-Sharing
- Direct Route: For convenience, especially if you are not renting a car, consider taking a taxi or a ride-sharing service directly from your location in Funchal or other parts of Madeira to Achada do Teixeira.
- Cost-Effective: While more expensive than public transport, sharing a taxi with other hikers can be a cost-effective and time-saving option.
Achada do Teixeira To Pico Ruivo Hike – A step by step guide
The trail starts at Achada do Teixeira in Santana, a well-known starting point that provides easy access thanks to its high altitude. People also like to refer to this hike as the PR1.2 or the easy way to reach Pico Ruivo!
The drive up to Achada do Texeira is pretty straight forward and here you’ll find a large parking lot. There are also facilities such as toilets and a restaurant called Abrigo da Heidi.
The other way to reach the top of Madeira is to start hiking from Pico do Arieiro, which will take a lot longer and requires a lot more elevation!
The hike to Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira is only 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) round trip and requires an elevation gain of only 260 meters.
The path is well-maintained and marked, consisting of paved and dirt sections with some steep stairs and inclines. But nothing too strenuous.
The fabulous thing about starting at Achada do Teixeira is that you’ll be immediately above the clouds! This also means that when you’re starting out on the trail you can be completely surrounded by them. This was the case with us but it shouldn’t dishearten you! After all, you still have to climb up 260 meters.
So by the time we had made it to Pico Ruivo the sun was shining and the clouds that were first covering the surrounding mountain peaks had dissapeared.
But before you reach the top you’ll bump into a mountain hut where you can freshen up, grab something to drink or eat.
From here there’s about 500 meters of climbing left to reach the top.
To be fair, the conditions weren’t ideal. Especially not for photography. The sun was shining bright and there were patches of snow on the ground. Not the ideal photography conditions. But at this point I really could care less! We were able to admire this spot after days of having its road closed to us!
After admiring the views from the top it was time to head back down to the parking lot. The hike back down takes about 45 minutes and goes a lot faster. But don’t forget to stop again now and then to take in the views.
Cause that’s the beauty of Pico Ruivo. Here you have unmatched 360° views over the island of Madeira.
The best time to hike to Pico Ruivo
The best times to hike to Pico Ruivo are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) months. During these periods, the weather is generally clear, and the temperatures are comfortable for hiking. The route can be cloudier in the winter and hotter in the summer, though it remains a popular year-round destination for those prepared for its conditions.
Now the hike from Achada do Texeira to Pico Ruivo is also one of the best ways to visit Pico Ruivo for sunset. Since the trail is so short you’ll only have to hike back down in the dark for a very short while.
If I ever make it back to Madeira visiting Pico Ruivo for sunset is definitely on my bucket list!
Another option is to visit Pico Ruivo for sunrise but if you’re not an early riser this might not be the best option for you.
💡 TIP – We were pretty lucky to get cloud inversions in the middle of the day. Usually the highest chance to spot cloud inversions are during sunrise or sunset.
Extra tips for hiking to Pico Ruivo
Due to its high altitude the weather up here can be completely different compared to other, more lower parts of Madeira.
There are a lot of Webcams spread out over the entire island. It’s always a good idea to check these before you leave on your next hiking adventure. Madeira has a micro climate and the weather can be very different every 10km.
Before heading out it’s also a good idea to check for Road Closures. During our stay on Madeira there was a very big storm which caused some road and tunnels to close for a day or two.
If you’re hiking for sunrise or sunset make sure to bring a headlamp with you.
💡 TIP – Download the WalkMe app from Madeira. This is a very insightful app that contains a lot of information on pretty much all of the most well known trails. The app requires a one time purchase of €4.95 which is pretty cheap since you’ll have a map of all of the most beautiful hiking trails in madeira in your hand.
Where to stay on Madeira
I chose Funchal as a base the first time because of its proximity to the airport. I had a wonderful stay at Sé Boutique Hotel and you can read my full hotel review here. There is a parking lot located only 5 minutes walking from the hotel (parking is €7/day if you validate your card at the hotel reception).
Now for our second trip to Madeira I wanted to stay on the other side of the island so we stayed close to Santana at Quinta das Hortênsias.
If you have any questions about Madeira or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on Madeira
Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo Hike – PR1 On Madeira
The 14 Most Epic Hikes in Madeira (Including Map + Tips)
The 8 Most Beautiful Waterfalls In Madeira (Map Included)
Hiking The Levada do Caldeirão Verde – PR9 On Madeira
Vereda Do Larano Coastal Trail In Madeira
Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova Waterfall Hike In Madeira
The Spectacular Ponta de São Lourenço Hike – PR8 In Madeira
The Perfect 7 Days Madeira Travel Itinerary
19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira You Have To See
The 14 Best Places To Stay In Madeira
Best Tips For Driving And Renting A Car On Madeira
Where to stay on Madeira – Sé Boutique Hotel
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Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
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