Experience a different perspective on hiking: at your own rythym. With pick up and drop at your accommodation, enjoy a Self.Guided hike and visit the most famous walk in Madeira: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. This hike is located between the highest mountains in Madeira (up to 1862 meters) and incorporates the most incredible lanndscapes and scenaries.

The guests can get picked up at their accommodation to join a shared transfer (up to 8 guests per van), in direction to the 2nd highest mountain - Pico do Arieiro - where the begining takes place. The hosts provide hike instructions and map explanation, with schedules so that everyone that arrive in time for the pick up (5 hours). The ending point is at Achada do Teixeira (1600 metres), a little further down from Pico Ruivo (1862 metres).

The sunrise hike in Pico do Arieiro, followed by the hike to Pico Ruivo and then to Achada do Teixeira, is a must to while you are visiting Madeira. The sunrise in Pico do Arieiro is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have and you can’t miss it for anything! Its possible to experience being above the clouds and you can take the most incredible pictures. It crosses a part of the Central Mountain Massif, an area integrated in the Natura 2000.

Right after the first 30-45 minutes, you will find an amazing viewpoint called “Ninho da Manta” (Buzzard’s Nest). You are able to see from here the “Manx shearwater” (Puffinus puffinnus) breed - the only known breeding site in the world of Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira), an endemic species considered to be the most endangered seabird of Europe.

Pico das Torres (1850 meters) is where you start your way to Pico Ruivo and it is considered to be the most difficult part of the trail, there you will encounter carved steps in the mountain. During the way, you will encounter with some caves, that was originally dug out to shelter the cattle and where you can see a few birds species, such has the Canary (Serinus canaria), Berthelot’s pipit (Anthus berthelottii madeirensis) and the Plain Swift (Apus unicolor). Also, some other species restrited only to Madeira Island, such has Madeira Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia madeirensis), Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs madeirensis), and the Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis).

For the plant and herbs lovers, this area is known for the presence of various endemism’s in Madeira, which include the Madeira Violet (Viola paradoxa), Madeira Grey Heather (Erica madeirensis), the Rock Orchid (Orchis scopolorum), and the Madeira Kidney (Anthyllis lemanniana).