Pico do Arieiro

We watched the sunrise at Pico do Arieiro. We arrived at 7:30 and there were a lot of people already. The sunrise was at around 8 am. After that we did hiking to Pico Ruivo. The board said it would take 3 to 3 and a half hours, but it took us around 2 and a half hours. We did not continue to Achada Do Teixeira, which needs another hour, because we came with rented car and we needed to go back to Pico do Arieiro to pick up our car. We found out later most people arranged a pick up at Achada Do Teixeira, so they did not need to go back to Pico do Arieiro. Although it was not an easy hike, the view was amazing. Most people wear proper hiking clothes and shoes and bring food and water. There is a small cafe close to the top of Pico Ruivo.

Located on the west coast of Africa, the Madeira Islands are beautiful but little known. The islands are formed by volcanic eruptions and have a large ups and downs, resulting in many classic hiking routes. It is a paradise for outdoor hiking lovers. Pico do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo, numbered PR1 & PR1.2 in the local hiking route, 10 kilometers long, connecting the two highest peaks of Madeira Pico do Arieiro (1817m) and Pico Ruivo (1862m), known for the large drop and the sea of clouds. The day of hiking coincided with the wind and rain, plus the relatively high altitude, the body temperature is only single digits Celsius, in the absence of jackets or waterproof equipment, climbing is still a bit hard. Walking through the cliff narrow roads in the wind and rain, and through the laurel ancient forest that was scorched to the torso in the previous massive wildfire, it feels a bit magical and a bit scary, but walking in the clouds in bad weather has its own wonderfulness.

Madeira officially recommended 25 hiking routes, PR1 ranked first. Today, the route of PR1 and PR1.2 is connected to the second peak in the middle of Pico Do Arreeiro and the first peak Pico Ruivo. The weather is clear, the air is fresh, the temperature is suitable, and the eyes are full of rolling mountains. The peak circuit turns and moves the scenery. The road is about half a meter wide. It is quite difficult. Sometimes there is no end in sight. Sometimes it is narrow and sometimes it is ups and downs. On the way, today Team11 (11 people) all personnel over the mountains and through the tunnels. Sometimes they see the sea of clouds and clouds. Sometimes they see the vast sea of smoke and waves. Sometimes they see the steep rock bank and conquer one after another. Although this route is not the hardest, it must be the most beautiful. Today, the 10 km hike conquered the highest peak of the island, 1862 meters. On the top of the mountain, you can see the sea and mountains in the distance.