Pico do Areeiro - Pico Ruivo (Vereda do Areeiro)

Access to the starting point:
The starting point of the route is the parking lot just below the second highest peak of Madeira, Pico do Areeiro. The starting point can be reached from several directions: 1. Funchal (38 min / 19. 2 km): from the centre of Funchal, follow the road to Monte, then the ER103 road to the Poiso Pass, where you turn left onto the road to Pico do Areeiro. 2. Aeroporto da Madeira (35 min / 23. 8 km): from the airport, follow the expressway VR1 to Santa Cruz, where you join the ER202 road to the Poiso Pass and continue in the direction of Pico do Areeiro. 3. Faial (35 min / 23. 6 km): follow the ER103 road in the direction of Funchal to the Poiso Pass, where you turn right to follow the road to Pico do Areeiro.

Path description:
The trailhead is just below the Pico do Areeiro peak, near the parking lot, restaurant and souvenir shop. The trail is well marked and well protected.
From the top of Pico do Areeiro we start descending towards the top of Pico dos Torres. The trail is, at least in the initial part, cobbled and stepped. After a 15-minute walk, you descend to the first viewpoint (Ninho da Manta) and after another 10 minutes to the second viewpoint (Mirador de Pedra Rija), where there is also a stone table. The path then descends steeply and leads under a stone arch. Immediately afterwards, you will come across the first tunnel under the summit of Pico do Gato (Tunel do Pico do Gato). In the tunnel, which is also cobbled, you can help yourself with a torch. After exiting the tunnel, it descends to a grassy slope where the trail splits (2. 1 km). The left (west) option is shorter, less demanding and leads through several tunnels. The right (eastern) variant is longer (4. 8 km) and more physically demanding due to the higher altitude difference. Description of the eastern route: the trail descends to the lowest point (1542 m), where you can witness lush vegetation. The trail then begins to climb steeply. The steps are carved into the ground to help you. The path climbs to 1720 m and then descends again. After passing through a short tunnel, you reach the junction with the western route. Description of the western route: this option is shorter (3. 4 km) and physically less strenuous. It leads along a rather precipitous but protected path. After passing through 3 tunnels, you will reach the junction with the eastern route. Here the path climbs again until you reach the hut (Casa de Abrigo do Ruivo) at 1769 m. The last 90 metres of ascent are followed to the top of Pico Ruivo, where there are 3 viewing platforms. The middle platform is also the highest point of the mountain. We return to the starting point, of course, by a different route. The eastern route takes between three and three and a half hours, while the western route takes just under three hours.

On the way: Pico do Areeiro (1817m), Tunel do Pico do Gato (1680m), Casa de Abrigo do Ruivo (1769m), Pico Ruivo (1862m)

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