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Most people see Pico do Arieiro at dawn, shoulder to shoulder in a car park. We go at the other end of the day.
We start in the centre of the island: Pico dos Barcelos, then Eira do Serrado at 1,095 metres looking down into Nun's Valley, and Curral das Freiras, one of the few villages on Madeira that cannot be seen from the sea. At Ribeiro Frio we walk the Levada dos Balcões, three kilometres out and back, where the Madeiran firecrest usually shows itself, a bird found nowhere else on earth.
Then we climb for sunset. Three kilometres on the PR1 trail, past Ninho da Manta, usually above the clouds, to the Stairs of Heaven. The same view people queue for at dawn, in warmer light, in near silence.
One car, four guests at most. I drive, I park, and I walk the trail with you. I take no commission from anything I recommend.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please not that if the pickup location is more than 20km away from Funchal I'll surcharge a fee.
Itinerary
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1Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos
A 360-degree view over Funchal and the bay, before the day turns inland.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Miradouro Eira do Serrado
A viewpoint at 1,095 metres looking straight down into Nun's Valley.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Curral das Freiras
A village ringed by peaks, one of the few on Madeira that cannot be seen from the sea.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Miradouros Do Paredao
Facing Pico Grande, the island's sixth highest peak. Quieter than the famous viewpoints, and better.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Ribeiro Frio
A 3 km walk out and back along the levada to a valley viewpoint, where the Madeiran firecrest usually shows itself.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
6Pico do Arieiro
Sunset from the PR1 trail, past Ninho da Manta and usually above the clouds, to the Stairs of Heaven. The same view people queue for at dawn, in warmer light.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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