{"id":2372,"date":"2026-05-23T17:28:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T16:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/your-madeira.com\/?p=2372"},"modified":"2026-05-23T18:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T17:02:18","slug":"pr1-madeira-reopened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/your-madeira.com\/de\/2026\/05\/23\/pr1-madeira-reopened\/","title":{"rendered":"PR1 Madeira wieder ge\u00f6ffnet: Alles, was du \u00fcber den ber\u00fchmten Peak to Peak Trail wissen musst"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After almost two years, Madeira\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And wow\u2026 it\u2019s still one of the most spectacular hikes on the island. Since PR1 is on almost everyone\u2019s Madeira itinerary, here\u2019s everything you need to know before hiking it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find my content useful and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee (or Poncha) here: https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/your_madeira<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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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\u2019re unfamiliar with the area or unsure about your abilities, it\u2019s best to go with a local guide. Always check the current trail conditions and weather before starting, and never underestimate Madeira\u2019s changing terrain and climate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where is PR1 Located?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The PR1 Peak to Peak Trail connects two of Madeira\u2019s highest mountains right through the center of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hike starts at Pico do Arieiro at 1810m and crosses dramatic mountain ridges all the way to Pico Ruivo, Madeira\u2019s highest peak at 1862m. This is the iconic trail you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pico Arieiro (Stairway to heaven)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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How to Get There<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s mountain roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is parking directly at the summit, but it fills up very quickly and parking time is limited. If you\u2019re doing the full hike, I highly recommend parking at the lower parking lot instead. It\u2019s much larger and you can pay easily by card when arriving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parking location: https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/SkPtzwyfAowhMaMc9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, it\u2019s about a 15 minute uphill walk to the summit. There\u2019s also a shuttle for \u20ac1.20 but let\u2019s be honest\u2026 we\u2019re here to hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a car, there is also a bus service from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro that currently runs twice daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bus information: https:\/\/www.horariosdofunchal.pt\/index.php\/viajar\/pico-do-areeiro<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another surprisingly affordable option is Bolt. Depending on demand, rides from Funchal are usually around \u20ac25 to \u20ac30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail Reservations and Limitations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now for the less fun part. As you may already know, Madeira PR trails now require reservations. Since PR1 is by far the island\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

More details about trail reservations in my blog here: How the new Madeira trail booking system works<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro, there are currently two ticket options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PR1 Partial Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Price: \u20ac4.50<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PR1 Full Route<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u20ac10.50<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes the full one way trail to Pico Ruivo plus the PR1.2 descent to Achada do Teixeira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the reservation system can definitely feel annoying, it\u2019s honestly understandable considering how overcrowded the trail became in previous years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Trail Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now for the fun part. PR1 is famous for a reason. The landscapes are absolutely unreal. You\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail Stats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Length<\/strong>: 6km from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, plus 2.8km on PR1.2 down to Achada do Teixeira<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation<\/strong>: Around 500m total elevation gain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/strong>: 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)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty<\/strong>: Challenging<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I absolutely love the dramatic exposure and cliff edges, but if you\u2019re 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\u2019t ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Bring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what I highly recommend packing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n