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São Roque Do Faial

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Pedra Rija Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

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Mountain hikes & routes

São Roque Do Faial

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Pedra Rija Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

Hard

4.8

(11)

hikers

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Pedra Rija Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

01:35

3.75km

250m

Mountaineering

Hard mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 1.55 km for 745 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

726 m

PR1 Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo Trail)

Highlight • Trail

The PR1 Vereda do Areeiro is one of the most spectacular hikes in Madeira and leads through the island's central mountain range. It connects Madeira's three highest peaks:
Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m)
Pico das Torres (1,851 m)
Pico Ruivo (1,862 m)

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Elevation gain: Between 1,491 m and 1,857 m

The route includes tunnels, steep stairs, and narrow paths along rock faces. It requires surefootedness, a head for heights, and a good level of fitness. The ascent to Pico Ruivo is particularly challenging, but the views of the surrounding mountain landscape are breathtaking.

Note (as of May 2025)
Due to forest fires in August 2024, the hiking trail is currently only partially open. Currently, only the section between Pico do Areeiro and the Pedra Rija viewpoint (approx. 1.2 km) is accessible. There is no information yet as to when the entire path will be reopened.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

820 m

Radar station on Pico do Areeiro

Highlight • Monument

Immediately next to the summit is a radar station of the Portuguese Air Force that can be seen from afar.

Translated by Google •

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849 m

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m)

Highlight • Summit

The Pico do Arieiro is one of the must-see natural sites on the island of Madeira. At 1,818 meters above sea level, it is the third highest peak on the island. It offers spectacular views of the steep cliffs it dominates as well as an infinite horizon over the ocean.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

946 m

Stairway to Heaven – PR1 Vereda do Areeiro

Highlight • Trail

The path is something for the eye, it leads directly over the narrow ridge and is secured with steel cables.

Translated by Google •

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1.35 km

Pedra Rija Stairway

Highlight • Trail

On the first third of the trail is the Petra Rija viewpoint. Directly behind it, the stairway leads to nothingness on a narrow fore-summit. Especially when the summit is shrouded in fog, the trail looks incredibly spectacular. In reality it is not as steep as it appears in the photos.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.53 km

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Ninho da Manta viewpoint is located just a few meters from the start of the Vereda do Areeiro route (PR1), one of the most famous hikes in Madeira. It has therefore become an obligatory stop, both for hikers setting off from here to the island's highest peak and for visitors to Pico do Areeiro.
This observation point next to the Pousada do Pico do Areeiro was called Ninho da Manta because a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a bird of prey, supposedly nested there. You can see the municipality of São Roque do Faial and the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, the preferred nesting site of the shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).
Likewise, from the Ninho da Manta viewpoint you can see part of the central mountain range of Madeira. The landscape is dominated by impressive rock formations that often rise above the clouds. The endemic species of the Madeira petrel (Pterodroma madeira), which is considered the most threatened lake, also nests here

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.90 km

Pedra Rija Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

Coming from Pico do Areeiro, you reach this vantage point after about one kilometer. Shortly before is the often photographed staircase with steep precipices on both sides.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.65 km

Hiking Car Park Below Pico do Areeiro

Highlight • Parking

Below the peak of Pico do Arieiro there is a parking lot, which is the starting point of the hike.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.75 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.66 km

1.19 km

565 m

264 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.60 km

1.58 km

325 m

232 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,780 m)

Lowest point (1,630 m)

Weather

Friday 26 June

21°C

17°C

-- %

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Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Pedra Rija Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

PR1 Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo Trail)

Radar station on Pico do Areeiro

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m)

Stairway to Heaven – PR1 Vereda do Areeiro

Pedra Rija Stairway

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint

Pedra Rija Viewpoint

Hiking Car Park Below Pico do Areeiro

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