After almost two years, Madeira’s most famous hike is finally back. The PR1 Vereda do Areeiro trail was heavily affected by the wildfires in summer 2024 and closed for a long period of restoration work. Since the reopening at the beginning of May, getting a reservation has honestly felt harder than getting concert tickets. Yesterday, I finally managed to hike it again and I was so excited to be back on the trail.

And wow… it’s still one of the most spectacular hikes on the island. Since PR1 is on almost everyone’s Madeira itinerary, here’s everything you need to know before hiking it.

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Please note: This hike is recommended only for those who are physically fit and experienced with mountain or levada trails. If you’re unfamiliar with the area or unsure about your abilities, it’s best to go with a local guide. Always check the current trail conditions and weather before starting, and never underestimate Madeira’s changing terrain and climate.

Where is PR1 Located?

The PR1 Peak to Peak Trail connects two of Madeira’s highest mountains right through the center of the island.

The hike starts at Pico do Arieiro at 1810m and crosses dramatic mountain ridges all the way to Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak at 1862m. This is the iconic trail you’ve probably seen all over social media with endless staircases, tunnels, sharp ridgelines, and clouds flowing through the mountains. And yes, it really does look like that in real life.

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How to Get There

You can drive all the way up to Pico do Arieiro. From Funchal, it takes around 35 to 40 minutes depending on how comfortable you are with Madeira’s mountain roads.

There is parking directly at the summit, but it fills up very quickly and parking time is limited. If you’re doing the full hike, I highly recommend parking at the lower parking lot instead. It’s much larger and you can pay easily by card when arriving.

Parking location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SkPtzwyfAowhMaMc9

From there, it’s about a 15 minute uphill walk to the summit. There’s also a shuttle for €1.20 but let’s be honest… we’re here to hike.

If you don’t have a car, there is also a bus service from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro that currently runs twice daily.

Bus information: https://www.horariosdofunchal.pt/index.php/viajar/pico-do-areeiro

Another surprisingly affordable option is Bolt. Depending on demand, rides from Funchal are usually around €25 to €30.

Trail Reservations and Limitations

Now for the less fun part. As you may already know, Madeira PR trails now require reservations. Since PR1 is by far the island’s most popular hike, tickets often sell out weeks or even months in advance. Reservations are made through the Simplifica portal under: https://simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/services/78-82-259

More details about trail reservations in my blog here: How the new Madeira trail booking system works

For PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro, there are currently two ticket options:

PR1 Partial Route

Price: €4.50

This allows access from Pico do Arieiro to Miradouro Pedra Rija and back. It covers only the first 1.2km of the trail, but yes, this section already includes the famous Stairway to Heaven viewpoint.

PR1 Full Route

€10.50

This includes the full one way trail to Pico Ruivo plus the PR1.2 descent to Achada do Teixeira.

At the moment, the full trail is only open Friday through Sunday because restoration works are still ongoing during the week. Important: The trail is currently one way only.

You start at Pico do Arieiro, finish at Pico Ruivo, then descend via PR1.2. There is no return hiking route back to Pico do Arieiro unless you hike the entire trail again in reverse which is currently not allowed.

Also worth noting: If you book through a tour provider, you may still need to book your own trail ticket separately through Simplifica. Double check before assuming it’s included.

While the reservation system can definitely feel annoying, it’s honestly understandable considering how overcrowded the trail became in previous years.

The Trail Experience

Now for the fun part. PR1 is famous for a reason. The landscapes are absolutely unreal. You’ll cross dramatic mountain ridges, walk through tunnels carved into the rock, and spend hours surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery on Madeira. Make sure your phone storage is empty because you will take way too many photos.

Trail Stats

Length: 6km from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, plus 2.8km on PR1.2 down to Achada do Teixeira

Elevation: Around 500m total elevation gain

Time: 2 to 3 hours one way, plus another 1 to 1.5 hours for PR1.2 (Realistically though, hiking times vary a lot here depending on photo stops, fitness level, and how much the endless staircases destroy your legs)

Difficulty: Challenging

The trail itself has been beautifully restored and is in very good condition. But this is still a serious mountain hike. Expect narrow passages, steep drops, exposed sections, and countless stairs. Some staircases are extremely steep and go straight down before climbing back up again. Take your time and watch your knees.

Personally, I absolutely love the dramatic exposure and cliff edges, but if you’re afraid of heights this trail might honestly not be enjoyable for you. The trail also passes through several tunnels. Please learn from my mistakes and bring an actual flashlight. I survived using my phone flashlight, but it definitely wasn’t ideal.

What to Bring

Here’s what I highly recommend packing:

• Proper hiking shoes with good grip
• Sun protection because you’re completely exposed most of the hike
• Rain and wind protection because mountain weather changes fast
• Plenty of snacks
• Lots of water
• Flashlight for the tunnels
• Phone or camera
• Power bank

There is a mountain hut near Pico Ruivo where you can sometimes buy extra water and snacks, but don’t fully rely on it. It occasionally closes due to low stock.

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What Changed Since the Reopening?

This was actually the biggest surprise for me. I originally assumed they had simply restored the old trail. But a section has been completely rerouted. If you’ve hiked PR1 before, you probably remember the ladder section. At one point, you can still see the old ladders in the distance, but the new route now goes through another tunnel and wraps around the side of the mountain instead.

And honestly… this new section is impressive. You walk along a very steep mountainside edge with incredible views the entire way. The reroute also removes some elevation compared to the old route, which actually makes the hike slightly easier than before.

Is PR1 Worth It?

Absolutely. Even with the reservation hassle and crowds, it’s still one of the most iconic hikes in Madeira for a reason. The scenery is unforgettable and if this is your first time visiting Madeira, I genuinely think it’s worth experiencing at least once.

That said, if you’re looking for solitude and peaceful hiking, this is probably not your trail. The first section toward Stairway to Heaven was especially crowded when I went. Lots of people stopping for photos, trying to pass each other, and managing two way traffic.

The one way system on the second half actually made the experience much nicer though. Even if I basically spent the entire hike leapfrogging the same group of hikers over and over again. We eventually started joking every time we passed each other again.

How to Get Back from Pico Ruivo

This is probably the biggest logistical challenge now that the trail is one way only.

Most Convenient Option: Taxi from Achada do Teixeira

After reaching Pico Ruivo, descend via PR1.2 to Achada do Teixeira. There’s a café and parking area there where taxis regularly pick up hikers. Many people team up with others to split the ride back to Pico do Arieiro which usually brings the cost down to around €20 per person.

Bolt or Uber may work too, but service can be unreliable in the mountains and waits can be long. If you’re finishing late in the day, I’d recommend arranging transport in advance.

Cheapest Option: Bus via Santana

There is no bus directly from Achada do Teixeira. To use public transport, you first need to get down to Santana either by taxi or hitchhiking. Honestly, hitchhiking here is more realistic than it sounds because there’s only one road down leading to Santana and lots of hikers driving back from PR1.2.

Once in Santana, you can catch the bus back to Funchal near the traditional Santana houses.

Bus schedule: https://siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios_pdf/ccsg_56.pdf

The ticket costs €2.65 and must be paid in cash on the bus.

The Adventurous Option: Hike Down via PR1.1

This is what I did. And please learn from my mistakes and leave yourself more time because I was basically sprinting downhill trying not to miss the bus. From Pico Ruivo, you can continue down the PR1.1 Vereda da Ilha trail toward the north coast.

Trail stats: 8km, 1300m descent, 3 hours

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The trail ends in the tiny village of Ilha where you can catch a bus back toward Funchal.

Bus stop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VM9d56x7s1GeM1Gr6

The tricky part: There’s only one bus per day back to Funchal around 5 to 5:15pm.

Bus schedule: https://siga.madeira.gov.pt/horarios_pdf/ccsg_56.pdf

Look for the routes marked “via Ilha”. The schedule doesn’t give you an exact time but the bus passes through Ilha in between Sao Jorge and Santana.

If you saw my social media video from yesterday… yes, this turned into a full emotional rollercoaster.

Final Thoughts

Overall, PR1 is still an absolutely incredible trail and I’m so happy it has finally reopened. Just make sure you’re properly prepared, comfortable hiking in the mountains, and realistic about the logistics involved now.

And if you don’t want to commit to the full hike, the shorter Stairway to Heaven route is still a fantastic option with incredible views.

Most importantly: Remember this is nature, not just a photo spot. Be respectful, stay safe, and enjoy one of Madeira’s most spectacular hikes.

If you’re looking for more hiking inspiration, definitely check out my complete PR Trails Guide and Ultimate Madeira Travel Guide for more Madeira hikes, hidden gems, and travel tips.