At 1,818 metres, Pico do Aireiro (sometimes spelled Areeiro) is Madeira’s third-highest mountain andthe highest point accessible by car. 

The mountain is therefore an ideal spot for the best views of the jagged, dramatic peaks of the Madeira mountains, even for less experienced hikers. A 200-metre-long, mostly flat footpath leads from the car park to the local viewpoint, Miradouro do Juncal.

Compare car hire prices – FNC Airport

Pico do Arieiro is the most popular starting point for treks to Madeira’s highest mountain, Pico Ruivo. 

The ridge walk, marked as PR1, is 5.3 km one way, and the round trip takes around 7 hours. We provide full details, including a map of the route, in the Pico Ruivo location description.

The entry fee for the PR1 trail is 3 eur and must be booked online via the official website:simplifica.madeira.gov.pt.

How to get there

The most convenient way to reach Pico do Aireiro is by car, which can take you right up to the summit.

A new tarmac road leads to the summit, which is 19 km from Funchal – see the map. Parking at the summit is free. A larger car park is located approximately 1.5 km below the summit – see the map.

Parking costs 29 eur per day or 2 eur per hour.

A shuttle bus runs from this car park up the mountain approximately every 15 minutes from 6.40 am to 12.15 pm and from 2.10 pm to 7.00 pm. The minibus departs as soon as there are at least four people on board. A single-journey ticket costs 1,20 eur and is paid to the driver.

There is also a direct bus service from the centre of Funchal (Praça da Autonomia) which goes straight to the summit of Pico do Arieiro without any changes.

• 3 eur – one-way ticket
• It runs twice a day in the morning from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro and twice a day in the afternoon in the opposite direction
• Detailed information: horariosdofunchal.pt//PicoAreeiro

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Madeira.