Vereda do Areeiro (PR 1)

On a good day the cloud lies below you, and valleys and peaks open all around almost the whole way. The trail links the island's highest peaks: it starts at 1818 m, finishes at 1862 m, and between the two falls to 1491 m before climbing all of it back. Tunnels dug through volcanic tuff, which once sheltered cattle and shepherds, cut through the mountain, and a staircase carved into the rock carries you around Pico das Torres.

Cloud can take the views away altogether. What stays is the ground at close range: mist, tunnels, stairways and wind. High-altitude heath covers the slopes, and some of the birds in it live only in Macaronesia or the archipelago.

At the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint (1818 m) the trail sets off along the high ground, clearly marked and railed for most of its length. It runs both ways as far as Pedra Rija Viewpoint, 1.2 km out, where walkers on the lower fee turn round.

Past Pedra Rija the trail is one-way towards Pico Ruivo, with no return along the same path. Tunnels through the volcanic tuff and steep slopes follow.

At Pico das Torres (1851 m) a steep staircase carved into the rock takes you around the peak.

On the last stretch comes the hardest climb, up to the Pico Ruivo shelter (Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo).

At Pico Ruivo (1862 m) PR 1 ends. Leave on PR 1.1 – Vereda da Ilha towards Ilha, or on PR 1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo towards Achada do Teixeira; a rock formation called the Standing Man (Homem em Pé) marks that trail.

• Walk-out: The 3 hours stop at Pico Ruivo. The exit on PR 1.1 or PR 1.2 comes on top, so leave time for it.
• Refunds: Rain or a change of plan forfeits the fee. Only an official closure or restriction earns a refund or a new date.
• Water and toilets: No drinking water near the start, so fill up before you come. Paid toilets stand about 50 m away.
• Kit: The tops turn cold and windy, so carry a warm layer, and bring a torch for the dark tunnels.
• Status: IFCN posts each trail's open or closed status on its official page. Check it before you set out.

You arrive at Pico do Areeiro by car or taxi. Public transport comes no closer than the Pico Furão stops, about 3.4 km away in a straight line. A free car park lies about 60 m away and a paid one about 130 m away, with paid toilets and an information office (Centro da Freira da Madeira) about 50 m away.

Turn back at Pedra Rija Viewpoint and your car is where you left it. The full trail finishes elsewhere, and IFCN arranges no transport back to Pico do Areeiro, so settle your return before you book. One arrangement that works: leave the car at the Achada do Teixeira end of PR 1.2 and take a taxi to the start, about €20 per person. Parking there is along the road edge and can be tricky. A sunrise start is the other option: park at Pico do Areeiro and take a taxi back at the end.

Best: a clear, calm day, booked close to the date if places remain. Cloud can lift as you walk or sit on the mountains all day, and an October weekday can be quiet on the trail.

Avoid: strong wind and rain. Wind makes the exposed ridges harder going, wet rock makes the carved steps slippery, and in winter the high ground can ice over.

Sunrise is very cold at the top. Sunset is busy, and the drive down afterwards runs on curving roads in the dark.

PR 1 is a classified trail in the Central Mountain Massif, an area in the Natura 2000 Network. Everyone must register and book a time slot online on the SIMplifica Portal, including those who walk free; nothing is booked or paid at IFCN premises. A slot closes automatically when it fills, and the tolerance around your slot is about 15 minutes.

One-way rule: the trail runs both ways only between Pico do Areeiro and Pedra Rija Viewpoint. From there it runs one way towards Pico Ruivo, and you leave Pico Ruivo on PR 1.1 – Vereda da Ilha or PR 1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo. The full-trail fee covers both.

Who walks free: anyone aged 12 or under; residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, with resident card and citizen card; persons with a disability of 60% or more, with documentary proof, and one legal guardian accompanying them.

Combined fees: the 1-day, 3-day and 7-day rates for several trails exclude PR 1, including the section to Pedra Rija Viewpoint.