Pico Ruivo from Achada de Teixeira

Climb to the highest point of the island of Madeira, taking the easier route. Beautiful mountain scenery and a superb 360° panorama at the top.

Technical sheet

n°4098710
A Santana walk posted on 05/05/15 by LB_Neil. Last update : 03/04/24
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.38 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 362 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 358 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,847 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,589 m
  • ⚐
    District: Santana 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 32.76495° / W 16.92069°
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Description

Start & Parking: Park at Achada do Teixeira in the car park located at the end of the EN-101-5 road from Santana.

Yellow and Red waymarkers (Trail no. 1.2).

(S) From the car park (hike information on a sign), take the path that starts in a west-southwest direction. Gently climb and pass over the summit at around 1,700 m and then down again.

(1) At the junction with the trail No. 1.1, from the right, continue to the west. Head onto a ledge and climb up to reach the Poussada do Ruivo (shelter).

(2) Continue west for roughly another 250 m.

(3) Turn left (south) to climb in loops all the way to the summit.

(4) Return by the outbound route. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,592 m
  2. 1 : km 1.61 - alt. 1,705 m - Junction of trails PR1.2 and PR1.1
  3. 2 : km 2.24 - alt. 1,736 m - Poussada do Ruivo
  4. 3 : km 2.45 - alt. 1,781 m - Split in the path at the foot of Pico Ruivo
  5. 4 : km 2.69 - alt. 1,847 m - Pico Ruivo - Summit
  6. S/E : km 5.38 - alt. 1,592 m

Useful Information

Start & Parking: Park at Achada do Teixeira in the car park located at the end of the EN-101-5 road from Santana.

Waymarkers: Yellow and Red waymarkers (Trail no. 1.2).

Terrain & Gears: The trail is laid out with paving stones and, in places, cable rails on the sides. Even so, bring good hiking boots.
Despite the latitude, the climate is changeable: I recommend bringing warm clothing and starting early to avoid the fog that can fall quickly.

Facilities: Shelter at Poussada do Ruivo.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

From the top, there is a 360° view of the island of Madeira and the ocean.

On the way, the area where the high-altitude grasslands dominate, gives a pleasant mountain atmosphere.

Other walks in the area

Walking Pico do Arieiro Pico Ruivo crossing

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Pico do Arieiro Pico Ruivo crossing
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A fabulous but demanding hike that leads through exceptional panoramas and vertiginous peaks to the island's highest summit.
Although the route is completely safe, it may not be suitable for those prone to vertigo. The path is paved throughout and includes tunnels.
N.B. The altitude difference shown is obviously overestimated (which happens in very steep terrain like this): count on around 1000m.

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Walking Levada Do Furado de Ribeiro Frio

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Less busy than other levadas, the 10.5 Km walk is 4/5ths flat, with no change in altitude (very gentle slope all along the levada), except for a 200-meter drop in altitude on the last 2 Km of the walk.
Take a cab back to the starting point.

Walking Pico Ruivo from Bocca da Encumeada

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↔19.44 km ↗+2,655 m ↘-2,646 m ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Câmara de Lobos (Madeira)

Climb to the highest point of the island of Madeira, and by the road less travelled. A long and demanding hike in diverse environments. Beautiful viewpoints on the route and, at the top, a beautiful 360° view.
N.B. Due to the steep crags of Madeira, the displayed altitude difference is overestimated and, therefore, so is the estimate of the time. Expect the elevation to be more in the order of 1,200 m in both directions.

Walking La Levada do Norte and Folhadal forest

Walker
↔5.32 km ↗+364 m ↘-355 m ◔2h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Câmara de Lobos (Madeira)

Madeira Island is filled with irrigation canals, the Levadas. This short hike takes you along the Levada do Norte, one of the most significant of the island, located in an elevated part of the island. You'll find stunning viewpoints along the way and go through a beautiful forest with various species.
N.B. The altitude displayed is most probably over estimated as the trail is relatively flat along the Levada following the contour line.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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