Pico do Areeiro is one of the most popular places in Madeira—and also one of the places I receive the most questions about.

Do you have to hike to see the sunrise? Where is the famous Stairway to Heaven? Which PR1 ticket do you need? And if the trail is one-way, how do you get back to your car?

Let’s clear up the confusion and answer the five questions I’m asked most frequently.

The information and prices in this article were last checked in August 2026. Access rules can change, so always check the official trail status before your visit.

---

1. Where can I watch the sunrise at Pico do Areeiro? Do I need to hike?

Let’s start with the biggest misconception: watching the sunrise at Pico do Areeiro is not necessarily a sunrise hike.

You can drive almost all the way to the summit. From Funchal, the journey normally takes around 30–40 minutes.

There is a parking area at the top, but it fills up very quickly—especially at sunrise, which is probably the busiest time of day at Pico do Areeiro. During summer, you may need to arrive around 1.5 hours before sunrise if you want a chance of parking at the top. Once it gets busy, the police may restrict further vehicle access.

Fortunately, there is a larger parking area approximately 800 metres farther down the mountain. This one has much more space and usually doesn’t fill up.

From the lower parking area, allow around 15–20 minutes to walk to the summit. You can either follow the road or use the paths running between its bends. The paths are quite uneven, so the road is usually the easier and more comfortable option in the dark.

Once you reach Pico do Areeiro, you can watch the sunrise without entering PR1.

You have two main options:

• The summit: This has fantastic views, but the area is small and can become extremely crowded.
• The eastern viewpoint: Follow the road to the roundabout immediately below the radar dome. From there, you’ll see a path on your right leading to the most popular sunrise viewpoint. It faces east and offers plenty of space to enjoy the view.

You don’t need a reservation or PR1 ticket to visit the summit or this viewpoint. You only need to pay for parking where applicable.

Make sure to bring warm clothes. Even when Funchal feels mild, Pico do Areeiro can be surprisingly cold and windy before sunrise.

Always check the mountain weather forecast before leaving—but remember that conditions can change rapidly. You can never be completely certain whether you’ll find yourself inside the clouds or watching the sunrise above them. That unpredictability is part of the Pico do Areeiro experience.

---

What if I want to watch sunrise from the trail?

If you want to combine sunrise with a short hike, you can enter PR1 and watch it from the trail.

Two particularly scenic options are:

• Miradouro Ninho da Manta, approximately 800 metres from Pico do Areeiro
• The Stairway to Heaven, approximately 1.2 kilometres from Pico do Areeiro

Neither location is accessible by car. You’ll need a valid PR1 reservation and should select the earliest available entry time.

Sunrise slots are extremely popular and may need to be booked weeks—or even months—in advance. The reward is a slightly quieter experience away from the main summit viewpoint.

2. Where is the Stairway to Heaven?

The famous Stairway to Heaven isn’t a separate attraction. It is simply one particularly photogenic section of the PR1 trail.

PR1 contains plenty of stairs, but this stretch is especially dramatic because the narrow path has steep drops on both sides. This is the place you’ll probably recognize from Instagram photos and videos.

---

To reach it, you need to walk approximately 1.2 kilometres along PR1 from Pico do Areeiro. You must have a valid ticket and reservation for the trail.

Don’t underestimate the distance just because 1.2 kilometres doesn’t sound far. The route includes a lot of stairs and elevation changes, and your return journey is uphill in places too.

Wear proper footwear, take your time and be particularly careful if you’re walking before sunrise. PR1 is narrow and exposed in many places, so it isn’t a good choice for anyone with a strong fear of heights.

This first section remains open in both directions. Leave enough room when passing other hikers, especially around exposed or narrow sections.

Once you have visited the Stairway to Heaven, you can turn around and follow the same trail back to Pico do Areeiro. This returns you to your car and means you only need the short PR1 ticket.

Just beyond this area, you’ll reach the turnstile and gate marking the beginning of the one-way section. If you continue through the gate toward Pico Ruivo, you cannot hike back to Pico do Areeiro. You’ll find the complete transport options and route logistics for your return in my blog post: How to return from Pico Ruivo after hiking PR 1

The one-way system helps reduce congestion on narrow parts of the trail, making the experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

3. Which PR1 ticket do I need?

You need to choose the correct ticket when booking through the official SIMplifica reservation portal.

Most of Madeira’s classified PR trails now require a paid ticket and reserved time slot. The system controls access and helps prevent overcrowding.

There are two PR1 ticket options:

The short PR1 ticket: €4.50

Choose this ticket if you want to hike from Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija—the area around the Stairway to Heaven—and then return along the same trail.

This section is approximately 1.2 kilometres each way and remains bidirectional. It does not allow you to continue to Pico Ruivo.

The complete PR1 ticket: €10.50

Choose this ticket if you want to hike the complete route from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo and then descend using one of the permitted exit trails.

For most visitors, the most convenient option is to descend via PR1.2 to Achada do Teixeira, the nearest road and parking area. From there, you can arrange transport back to your accommodation or car.

The complete ticket includes access to PR1 and the PR1.2 to Achada do Teixeira as the exit trail.

Both ticket types include access to the Stairway to Heaven. The difference is whether you turn around there or continue through the one-way gate toward Pico Ruivo.

---

Ticket checks are frequent on PR1. If you have the wrong ticket—or no ticket—you won’t be allowed to continue. Book carefully, because the short ticket cannot simply be converted into a complete ticket at the gate.

If you’re beginning the complete hike around sunrise, be aware that the gate leading into the one-way section may remain closed overnight and generally opens in the morning. You may need to wait near Pedra Rija before continuing. Check the current operating information when making your reservation.

You can find a detailed explanation of the reservation process in my post: How the new Madeira trail booking system works

4. How do I get to Pico do Areeiro?

By rental car

Driving is the easiest and most flexible option. From Funchal, the journey normally takes approximately 30–40 minutes.

At busy times, you may need to leave your car at the lower parking area and walk the final 800 metres. Parking is paid and the machine accepts card payments.

Driving works particularly well if you’re only visiting the sunrise viewpoints or doing the short out-and-back hike.

By taxi, Bolt or Uber

A Bolt or Uber from Funchal generally costs around €20–€30, although prices vary according to demand and your pickup location.

For sunrise, reserve your journey in advance. During the day, cars are usually easier to find, but availability is never guaranteed in the mountains.

A prearranged taxi or transfer can be more reliable for an early-morning start.

By public bus

Horários do Funchal currently operates a service between central Funchal and Pico do Areeiro twice per day.

The timetable changes seasonally and the service may be affected by weather or road closures. Check the latest departure and return times directly on the Horários do Funchal Pico do Areeiro page.

The bus can be an affordable option, but its fixed schedule offers less flexibility than driving or booking a transfer.

Still sounds too complicated?

PR1 is beautiful, but reservations, crowds, parking, one-way restrictions and return transport can make a simple sunrise plan feel unnecessarily complicated.

If you would rather experience a quieter side of Madeira’s mountains, join me for a sunrise hiking tour away from the PR1 madness. I’ll take care of the planning so you can simply enjoy the walk and the sunrise: Book your hiking tour