Achada do Teixeira - Pico Ruivo - Achada do Teixeira (6 Km)

Starting & Finishing point: Parking area at Achada do Teixeira, Santana

Advices on equipment: raincoat, warm sweater, walking boots/comfortable shoes, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

Just on the centre of Santana you will find the road that lead you to Achada do Teixeira, a small plateau with 1590 meters of altitude, where road ends.

From the parking place to Pico Ruivo is about 3 km. The path ground is cemented and there is also information signs that will help you to get to the highest peak of Madeira. Along this walk you will find several shelters where you can rest or take refuge from rain or fog.

If weather is clear, even before you get to the top of the peak, after the mountain shelter that exist there, you will be able to admire beautiful sceneries of valleys, water streams and mountains.

The way up to the house on Pico Ruivo, with a bar open to visitants, takes about 1 hour and here trekkers may refresh themselves before going up to the top of the peak which will take you 10 to 15 more minutes. Before you reach the 1862 meters of altitude you have to cross a small wooden area with centenary heathers that survived through time.
Arriving to the top the show is amazing! 360º of pure nature and amazing landscape where one may admire from the green mountains of Santana to the silhouette of Porto Santo Island, passing through the large plateau of Paul da Serra and the arid tip of Ponta de São Lourenço. It is simply and unforgettable landscape, if weather conditions allow it!

The way back to Achada do Teixeira is through the same path though as going down is easier than going up, you will take around 40 minutes only.

This tour can be made all year around though it is not advisable to do it on raining and/or windy days, as it can get dangerous.