| Pico Ruivo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,861 m (6,106 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,861 m (6,106 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Ultra Ribu |
| Coordinates | 32°45′31″N16°56′32″W / 32.75861°N 16.94222°W /32.75861; -16.94222[1] |
| Geography | |
  Pico Ruivo Location of Pico Ruivo in Madeira | |
| Location | Madeira |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | FromAchada do Teixeira |
Pico Ruivo (European Portuguese pronunciation:[ˈpikuˈʁujvu]) is the highest peak onMadeira Island and the third highest inPortugal, standing at 1,861 metres (6,106 ft) in theSantana municipality.[1][2] Accessible only by foot, it can be reached from eitherPico do Areeiro or via a shorter, easier trail fromAchada do Teixeira. The summit provides panoramic views of the island, from the green mountains surroundingCurral das Freiras to the Ribeira Grande andSão Jorge valleys. On days with clear visibility, Pico Ruivo also offers sweeping views ofPorto Santo Island and theDesertas Islands.[2]
While the breathtaking vistas are a highlight, the unpredictable weather can make the hike challenging and at times dangerous.[citation needed] North of the peak, a shelter, renovated in 2019, offers essential amenities such as running water, restrooms, and meal services for hikers.[3]
As the highest point in the archipelago, Pico Ruivo is primarily surrounded by high-altitudeheath. The area is also marked by monumental rock formations, which often rise above the clouds, dominating the landscape. The region is home to several bird species, including theMadeira firecrest, thechaffinch, and thelinnet.[2]
Pico Ruivo is accessible through a network of marked trails, all of which traverseNatura 2000 areas and unique ecosystems like the Central Mountain Massif andLaurel forest. Of these routes, PR1 and PR1.2 are the only ones reaching the mountain's peak, with an entry fee of €3 for visitors over the age of 12. The other two paths, PR1.1 and PR1.3, begin at Pico Ruivo's shelter and lead to other parts of the island.[4][5][6][7]
This 7 kilometres (4 mi) trail connects three of Madeira's highest peaks: Pico do Areeiro,Pico das Torres, and Pico Ruivo. Classified as moderately challenging, the hike takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete. Beginning at Pico do Areeiro's viewpoint at 1,818 metres (5,965 ft), it features volcanic tunnels, steep staircases, and dramatic slopes. The highest point of the route is 1,857 metres (6,093 ft), with the lowest at 1,491 metres (4,892 ft). The final segment includes a steep climb to Pico Ruivo's shelter, with the option to continue towardAchada do Teixeira via the "Standing Man" (Homem em pé) rock formation (PR1.2).[4]
This 8.2 kilometres (5 mi) trail descends from Pico Ruivo's shelter at 1,764 metres (5,787 ft) to the village of Ilha at 490 metres (1,608 ft). With a total elevation drop of 1,376 metres (4,514 ft), it is moderately difficult and typically completed in about three hours. The route traverses two distinct ecosystems: the herbaceous and shrubby vegetation of the Central Mountain Massif and the lush Laurel forest, renowned for its water retention and biodiversity. Endemic birds, such as the chaffinch and the Madeira firecrest, are commonly seen along the trail.
The shortest and most direct route to Pico Ruivo starts at Achada do Teixeira. At 2.8 kilometres (2 mi) each way, the trail takes about 1.5 hours for a round trip and is moderately challenging. This route offers panoramic views of the Central Mountain Massif and passes by shelters built to protect hikers from Madeira's unpredictable weather. Altitude variation on this trail is minimal, ranging only by 5 metres (16 ft).[6]
Currently closed (as of November 2024, likely due to fire damage)[8] this trail stretches westward from Pico Ruivo's shelter to Encumeada, covering 11.2 kilometres (7 mi). With an estimated hiking time of six hours, the moderately difficult route passes through dug out caves like Furna da Lapa da Cadela. Historically, these caves provided shelter for those harvestingheather, which was used for stakes,firewood, orcharcoal production. The trail concludes with panoramic views near Encumeada, in a more central position of the island.[7]
Media related toPico Ruivo at Wikimedia Commons