Pico Ruivo Trek: Explore Madeira's Highest Peaks & Endemic Vegetation

Embark on the Pico Ruivo Trek and discover Madeira’s highest peaks and endemic vegetation. Experience breathtaking panoramic views and witness the endangered Zino’s petrel in its only known breeding site.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Pico do Arieiro - This hike begins at Pico do Arieiro, located at 1818 meters above sea level, within a short distance we come upon the Ninho da Manta (Buzzard’s Nest) belvedere. From this platform where this bird of prey is supposed to have bred, one can see the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, where some Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinnus) breed, São Roque do Faial and a large part of the Central Mountain Range.
What's Included
  • Live commentary
  • Insurance
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Embarking at Pico do Areeiro, elevated at nearly 1818 meters, we traverse towards Madeira’s zenith, Pico Ruivo, standing tall at a rough altitude of 1861 meters.
One can savour the picturesque vistas of Madeira, spread across the central mountainous stretch, which are unquestionably awe-inspiring.
The exclusive breeding domain globally for the Zino’s…

Location
Monumental Experience
Estrada Monumental
We are located at the entrance of the Shopping Center, on the right side. Our shop is easy to find, just look for a yellow smiley face, shop sign.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(5 Ratings)
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Joanne_k
Dec 2, 2023
Breathtaking views - This was a great experience! After the hotel pickup, the group was dropped off at the starting point where we hiked for several hours along well maintained paths. The hike was moderately difficult, with some areas where you will likely work up a good sweat, and the views were amazing all around. Be sure to pack water and snacks/food, along with good hiking shoes and a small flashlight, since there are some tunnels that are pitch black. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Georgiamccann13
Jul 9, 2023
Wonderful - Jorge was an excellent tour guide whilst doing this walk, friendly funny and very knowledgable. The walk was tough but well worth the views and was an amazing experience. We used happy tours for a couple of trips when in Madeira and couldn’t recommend them enough!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luiza_p
Mar 30, 2023
Wonderful walk - Wonderful and proffessional guide, views always to remember. Shame is,am here only for a,week.......
Review provided by Viator
Connector561669
Jul 23, 2021
Worth it for aure! - Great tour! It was slightly too hot for us, probably July wasn’t the best choice, but other than that - the tour was great. The views are amazing, Happy tours did a great job organizing the whole thing and we certainly lucked out with our tour guide Gloria - very accommodating to everyone’s speed and stamina. All in all - definitely try this tour, well worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simonms5193yx
Apr 12, 2025
Sælger ture de ikke har - Unhappy tours should be the name of this company Unfortunately, I have had a really bad experience with happy tours (unhappy tours). I specifically asked about a trip to stairways of heaven, which was not a problem, however, there would be a part of the route that had been changed because part of the original route was closed. But I was promised a round trip with my specific wish. Therefore, I buy the trip. Everything looks fine until we get off the bus. There I ask the guide about the route. The guide mentions that stairways to heaven is not included in this tour and that it is a completely different tour that I am going on. The tour continues and we move slowly forward with stops every 10 minutes to get the back of the group on. That is what it is. But I had asked until how many people would be on the tour, and there I was informed that there would be a MAXIMUM of 12 on the tour. We were 18! The tour itself is okay, but not what I ordered. The next day I contact the female salesperson who sold me the tour. To begin with, she understands the problem. But her and her male colleague (who was not customer-minded at any point and constantly interfered in a negative way.) now say that they do not do tours to Stairway of Heaven at all because the route is closed. I happen to know that this is a lie, as I have been in contact with another company that does the tour. I show her the messages from the company and say she can call and get it confirmed. She does, and all the while the male colleague listens, where he almost shouts: "look I was right about the route being closed", but he is not, cf. below. The lady now hands me the phone so I can talk to the company, and they confirm that they do exactly the tour I am asking about, but say that some of the route is closed. But again, the things I am asking about are possible with them. I ask him to explain to the lady over the phone that I am right that she sold me the wrong tour. Which she now realizes, and then says that they have never done tours to Stairway of Heaven. Then I ask why she is selling me a tour, knowing full well that this is not what I am looking for. To which she replies that I have been on the tour, and the guide said I loved it, which has NEVER been mentioned. She then thinks I should not have continued the tour when I find out it is not the right one. And here we are on the other side of the island. I ask if I shouldn't expect to get what I order, and it can't be right that I have to ask the guide before I get on the bus if he can explain the tour so I'm sure it's the right one. They then think it's my fault and say there's nothing they can do. I sit there a little in frustration, where the male colleague points out that they can't do anything, so I should just leave. I'm still waiting, where shortly after he threatens to call "someone" or the police if I don't leave their office. As if all this wasn't enough, they drive their customers in buses without tire tread. See attached picture
Review provided by Tripadvisor