You Have to Visit this Beautiful Madeira Viewpoint

The PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike is a demanding hike, not for the faint of heart. On average, it takes 3 hours from peak to peak, and offers some of the most beautiful views in Madeira. Typically, you start at one peak at sunrise, and hike to the second peak. Some people make it there and back! The sunrise at Pico do Arieiro is one of the most breathtaking views and I highly recommend this Madeira viewpoint. The good thing is: you don’t have to do a long, challenging hike to get there!

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Woman standing on a rock in front of cloud inversions during sunrise. The sunrise is orange and pink.

Pink and orange sunrise over a mountain in Madeira with cloud inversion

How to Get to the Madeira Viewpoint

You can book a sunrise tour that takes you to and from the Madeira viewpoint, provides breakfast, and then heads to an easier levada walk. If you book a tour, they’ll make sure the weather will be nice for sunrise!

If you have a car, park at the Parque de Estacionamento Pico do Arieiro and walk about 5 minutes to the viewpoint. The drive is about 40 minutes from Funchal, but give yourself some time to drive on the unfamiliar mountain roads that twist and turn!

There is a second lookout, Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, is about 15-20 minutes along narrow paths and stairs, and offers a bit more in the foreground for photographers. You could quickly catch the sunrise at the Pico do Arieiro viewpoint and then the Miradouro do Ninho da Manta.

Madeira Viewpoint overlooking cloud inversions during golden hour

Lookout platform on the side of a mountain in Madeira

What to Wear for a Sunrise Hike

Even in the summer, it can be chilly in the early morning on the top of a mountain! I always recommend wearing layers and bringing a day pack to strip layers if you need. Here are some of my favourite hiking layers:

Lululemon Down for it All Vest. My favourite part about this vest is the huge pockets on the side that easily fit your waterbottle. (Pictured above!)
Lululemon Hood Lite Jacket. A great light layer that packs up in the hood and clips on to your bag easily.
Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece. A great medium weight jacket.
Lululemon Cargo Pant or Girlfriend Collective Tights (with pockets).
Oboz Trail Shoes
Darn Tough Hiking Socks
MEC Trail Pack

PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike

Do It Madeira offers self guided hikes – i.e. provides transport to and from hikes around the island. If you’re interested in doing the 3-hour hike, you can use my discount code “passportunities5” for 5% off. Book here!

Is It Safe to do Solo?

Absolutely! The great thing about this Madeira viewpoint is it’s easily accessible, and therefore pretty busy. It’s definitely a viewpoint you can do alone.