Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

Name: Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 73.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.94 (427 reviews)

4.9 (427 verified reviews)

About This Experience

The highest-rated departure on this site, and the only one that puts a guide beside you in the dark. Pickup comes directly from your accommodation, followed by an hour's drive to Achada do Teixeira, where the trek begins while the sky is still full of stars.

The climb is about 260 m of ascent over roughly 2.5 km on the PR1.2 path — a broad, well-made route rather than the exposed ridge scrambling of the full PR1. That makes it the most approachable way to stand on the summit of Pico Ruivo at around 1,862 m, and the guide takes time on the way up to point out the Milky Way before first light washes it out.

At the top you get a warm cup of tea and a granola bar while the sun comes up and the island below turns gold. A head torch is provided, which removes the one piece of kit most visitors have not packed.

Five hours door to door including the transfer. A €4.50 trail maintenance fee per person is collected by the ranger at the end of the trail and can be paid by card — it is not built into the ticket price.

Highlights

Begin your day with an invigorating guided trek up to Madeira's highest peak
Set out in the dark and gaze at the starry night sky while you make your ascent
Hike with a local guide and slowly make your way to the very top of Ruivo Peak
See the sunrise and watch as the world below is bathed in a warm golden glow
Sip on a warming cup of tea and refuel by snacking on a healthy granola bar

What's Included

✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✓ Early-morning hike
✓ Guide
✓ Head torch
✓ Granola bar
✓ Tea

Not Included

Water bottle
Hiking boots and waterproofs

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes
Warm clothing
Hiking shoes
Water
Rain gear

Good to Know & Caveats

This tour involves a climb of 260 meters over 2.5km to reach the top of Ruivo Peak. 4,5 eur per person for the trail maintenance to deliver to the Ranger, will be demand at the end of the trail, which you can pay by card.

Not Suitable For

People who have dived in the past 24 hours
People over 230lbs
People with heart problems
People with respiratory issues
Wheelchair users
Pregnant women
Low fitness level

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup and drop-off included, driving to the Achada do Teixeira trailhead on the Pico Ruivo side.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.9/5 by 427 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Super impressive tour with starry sky and sunrise. Thanks to Carlos and Adrian for the great guidance and organization. Highly recommended!!!
— Peter, August

The excursion was incredibly beautiful! The two guides, Adrian and Carlos, were very nice. They shared their knowledge, and you felt very safe during the hike. With regular stops, we then reached the destination with perfect timing, and a breathtaking sight awaited us. There was tea and a snack. Communication on site as well as before the tour via chat worked smoothly and quickly, so that we had all the important information about the tour, the weather, the pickup, and the things to bring. I can only highly recommend this tour and the team to everyone! Thank you for everything!
— Natalie, August

The punctuality and helpfulness of the guide
— Robert, August

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a guide included?

Yes. This is a genuinely guided hike, not a self-guided transfer, and it is one of the few departures here that walks with you in the dark.

How hard is the climb?

About 260 m of ascent over roughly 2.5 km on the PR1.2 path from Achada do Teixeira. It is a broad, maintained route — far gentler than the exposed PR1 ridge, and manageable for most reasonably fit walkers.

What is included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, a head torch, a granola bar and tea at the summit. Bring your own water, hiking boots and waterproofs.

Is the trail fee included?

No. A €4.50 per-person trail maintenance fee is collected by the ranger at the end of the trail, payable by card.

Why start in the dark?

So you reach the summit for sunrise. The walk up under a clear sky is part of the appeal — the guide stops to show you the Milky Way before the light comes.