Hike Pico do Areeiro: PR1 Madeira is Partly Closed
Hiking above the clouds along PR1 at Pico do Areeiro is one of the most iconic experiences in Madeira!
If it’s on your list, you should be aware of a few key changes, which continue catching visitors by surprise at Pico do Areeiro (also spelled ‘Arieiro’):
- The famous “Stairway to Heaven” from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo is closed.
- Tourists who climb through the barrier daily risk fines.
- Part of Madeira’s PR1 at Pico do Areeiro remains open.
PR1 links Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest point, following a ridgeline offering jaw-dropping panoramic views.
Only part of PR1 remains open, due to a recent wildfire. Still, you can enjoy the sunrise from above the clouds and hike the portion that’s still accessible. Â
A few key factors for Pico do Areeiro:
- The PR1 is challenging but safe, with handrails, clear signs, and stone staircases.
- It’s not a great fit for hikers with vertigo or severe height issues.
- Bad weather (fog and rain) can move in quickly and spoil the views.
The 3 Sites I Use for Every Trip
– For tours: Viator
-For travel insurance: Travel Guard
– For rental cars: Discover Cars
Tours of Pico do Areeiro
It’s easy to rent a car and drive around Madeira on your own. In Europe, I use Discover Cars for my rentals, since their search includes big international rental brands, plus local companies in each country.
If you’d rather stay in Funchal and have someone else do the navigating, I’d recommend these two tours, which will pick you up right at your hotel and take you to Pico do Areeiro:
🌅 Click to Book: Pico do Areeiro
🌅 Click to Book: Pico do Areeiro
Parking at the Trailhead
My biggest advice is to get to the parking lots well before sunrise. The lots are large, but fill quickly each day.  If you’re on a Madeira road trip, make sure this is your first stop of the day.
You may have to pay the 20 Euro parking fee, and then walk to the trailhead.
Depending on which lot you end up in, it can be quite a walk to the top of the hill!
Costs and Fees to Hike
There is a 3 Euro entrance fee, which you can pay on site with cash or credit card.
Chances are, no one will be staffing the entrance if you get there early enough. At that point, it operates on the “honor system,” with a QR code to scan at the trailhead.
Otherwise, someone will be at the trailhead making sure you’ve paid.
Bathroom facilities are on site, and cost 1 Euro to enter. Bring coins!
The PR1 Trail at Pico do Areeiro
The stretch of PR1 that’s still open runs about one mile. The sign still says the distance to Pico Ruivo, but again- it’s closed.
The trail is clearly marked, and changes from rocks to steps to just an unpaved dirt path. It’ll be very crowded to start.
It narrows at times, with dopoffs on either side.
You’ll follow switchbacks around the peaks to different viewpoints.
You’ll undoubtedly be up there with a crowd. It’ll thin out the farther you travel down the trail.
Views & Highlights
You’ll be hiking above a sea of clouds, with 360-degree panoramas across central Madeira.
You’ll see Madeira’s two tallest peaks nearby: Pico Ruivo and Pico das Torres. Each rises more than 6,000 feet above sea level. Pico do Areeiro is just under 6,000 feet.
Plus, of course: sunrises are legendary at Pico do Areeiro!
The Best Times to Hike
If you’re looking for the best views and best visibility, you should hike in the morning.
Skies are clearer (usually) in the morning. Clouds can often roll in by mid-afternoon and obscure views.
Avoiding the Crowds at Pico do Areeiro
Is it possible? Not really. Still, there are a few pieces of advice to follow if avoiding crowds is important to you:
- Start early! Again, arrive before sunrise. Tour buses arrive by 8:00 or 9:00am.
- Weekdays, Tuesday through Thursday, are least busy.
- Avoid cruise ship days in Funchal (your hotel can help you check)
- Off-season months: March, April, October, and November see fewer visitors. It’s why “shoulder season months” (like spring and fall) are great times to visit Madeira.
Gear to Bring on Your Hike
- Hiking sneakers or boots with a good grip for the rocky paths.
- Layers! Temperatures change quickly, rain moves in, and winds pick up.
- SPF : UV levels are high.
- Water and snacks. I’ve seen people bring full picnics and coffee thermoses.
- Trekking poles (if you find them helpful for steep ascents and descents).
The wind might be whipping as you reach these ridgelines!
Some people will bring picnic lunches and even portable coffee makers to relax and enjoy the views.
Weather Considerations
It bears repeating: weather in central Madeira’s mountains is unpredictable. It could be sunny and warm in Funchal, but Pico do Areeiro could be hit by a storm.
Also, remember:
- You’re above the crowds, or *in* the clouds, so visibility could be limited at times.
- Temperatures are 10-20 degrees cooler than coastal areas. The wind makes it feel much colder!
- In the winter months (December through February) snow and frost are possible.
Why the Stairway to Heaven is Closed
I went to Madeira, eager to hike the Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo trail, also known as the “Stairway to Heaven.” It closed due to a wildfire in 2024, and hasn’t reopened. Along other hiking trails, you’ll see the charred trees and new regrowth.
I spoke to a variety of people both working at the site and in the tourism industry, and they think it’s likely to stay closed for quite some time.
Even before the fire, guides say the trail was unsafe, with parts of it crumbling.
Rescue crews are routinely called to the path when tourists fall. Many of the falls prove to be fatal.
Plus, traffic congestion from big crowds took away from the visitor experience.
Until the government and forest service figure out a way to improve safety, reduce crowds and preserve the environment, it’s likely the complete trail from Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo will remain closed.
With that said, I’ve witnessed many hikers squeeze through the fence that’s up in the trail to continue hiking on the closed pathway.
Alternative Hike: Pico Grande
If you’re looking for another “above the clouds” experience in Madeira, check out Pico Grande! It’s far less crowded, and delivers jaw-dropping views!
Photos of the Pico do Areeiro Hike
Here are a few more photos from the hiking trail and the drone.
Wrap: Hiking Madeira’s PR1
Try not to be too disappointed that the full PR1 “Stairway to Heaven” route on Madeira is closed indefinitely. It’s still worth going to Pico do Areeiro for a sunrise you’ll never forget!
A couple of final pieces of advice for your visit:
- Ask the staff at your hotel if the weather’s looking good for that area.
- Check webcams, depending on the time of day you head up: IPMA Webcam.
- Bundle up, because it can be pretty cold and windy at dawn.
- Get there early, because while the parking lots are spacious, it gets very crowded.
You’ll find equally stunning views at other places around Madeira, like Sao Lourenco on the eastern tip of the island or Pico Grande farther inland. If you’re taking a break from hiking, there are plenty of quaint towns on Madeira, along with waterfalls and coastal pools to swim in, and different kinds of island-made wine to taste!
