PR 1 · Madeira
Vereda do Areeiro
Pico do Areeiro to Miradouro da Pedra Rija
Open in both directions between Pico do Areeiro and Miradouro da Pedra Rija.
The first stretch of the Areeiro ridge, out to the Pedra Rija viewpoint and back.
- Distance 1.2 km
- Walking time 1 h
- Highest point 1,857 m
- Difficulty Moderate
- Route There and back
Official figures. Walking times are moving times: they assume you never stop.
The route
The walk
The cheap ticket, and for a lot of people the right one.
You walk out along the ridge from the Areeiro car park to the Pedra Rija viewpoint, a bit over a kilometre, then come back. About an hour. You get the view people come for without committing the whole day.
Read this bit carefully: this licence does not let you continue to Pico Ruivo. It is checked on the trail, and people do get turned back. If the summit is the point of the day, buy the other one.
This licence stops at Pedra Rija. It is checked, and people are turned back.
Before you go
Where to park
Same car park as the full route, at the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint.
Getting back
Back the way you came, to the same car park.
By bus
One bus a day, run by Horários do Funchal from the cable car terminus stop in Funchal: up at 06:00 and 13:30, down at 12:15 and 19:00 (18:00 in the winter timetable), €3 on board. For an out-and-back it works; otherwise a taxi, a transfer or your own car.
When to go
An hour, taking it slowly.
Toilets, water and food
Café and toilets at the viewpoint.
In the app
Everything for the day you walk PR 1
- You, on the line The whole trail on the map with your position on it, from the car park to the end.
- No signal needed Kept on your phone for the valleys and tunnels where the network goes.
- Today's free slots Every half hour of the day, live from SIMplifica, and booking in a tap.
- A timer for the walk Private, it counts from the trailhead and stops by itself at the end.
- To do, and done Mark the walks you want to do and the ones you have walked.
- Open or closed, every morning The IFCN status on every trail, read again each day.
Questions people ask
Is PR 1 open today?
Yes. The IFCN lists PR 1 (Vereda do Areeiro) as open. Open in both directions between Pico do Areeiro and Miradouro da Pedra Rija.
Do I need a licence for PR 1?
Yes. Every visitor over twelve books an entry slot on SIMplifica, the regional government's portal, before walking, and pays €4.50. Madeira residents, children aged twelve and under and people with a disability of 60% or more do not pay, but still register.
How long does PR 1 take?
The official walking time is 1 h for 1.2 km. It is a moving time that assumes you never stop, so allow more for photographs, food and rests.
Where do I park for PR 1?
Same car park as the full route, at the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint.
How do I get back after PR 1?
Back the way you came, to the same car park.
Can I get to PR 1 by bus?
One bus a day, run by Horários do Funchal from the cable car terminus stop in Funchal: up at 06:00 and 13:30, down at 12:15 and 19:00 (18:00 in the winter timetable), €3 on board. For an out-and-back it works; otherwise a taxi, a transfer or your own car.
Checked against
- IFCN / SIMplifica (route definition, licence and fee)
Status as the IFCN publishes it. This page was last rebuilt on 15 October at 07:00, Madeira time. Trails close without warning after storms: check again on the morning you walk.
Guides that mention this trail
Trails nearby
All 43 trails
PR 1 Open Vereda do Areeiro
Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
The high ridge walk between the island's two tallest peaks, through tunnels and along staircases cut into the rock.
- 6.1 km
- 3 h
- Moderate
- One way
Vereda do Burro
Down from the Pico do Areeiro car park to Ribeira das Cales, mostly through heather and then laurel forest. A descent, not a climb.
- 7.2 km
- Easy
- One way
Levada do Barreiro
A high levada from Poço da Neve, near the Areeiro road, down to the Casa do Barreiro. Partly passable at the moment; check the IFCN.
- 6.7 km
- Easy
- One way