Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo

Madeira, rising from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoys a remarkably mild climate throughout the year, earning it the nickname "the Island of Eternal Spring." Yet its greatest surprise is not its climate but its extraordinary topography: volcanic peaks soaring above deep valleys, ancient laurel forests cloaking the slopes, and clouds drifting silently beneath the summits.

The Madeira - Picos and Levadas Tour takes you deep into the emerald heart of the island to conquer its picos (peaks) and walk on its old irrigation canals (levadas) now converted into a stunning network of trails.

Walk the spectacular ridge linking Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) and Pico Ruivo (1,862 m), Madeira's two highest summits, and feel as though you're walking across nature's grandest stage.The route crosses the island's central volcanic spine on a path that weaves between tunnels cut through solid basalt, exposed rocky ridges, and viewpoints where the Atlantic stretches to the horizon in every direction.

Journey through the island's serrated peaks, deep ravines, and witness a surreal white ocean of clouds filling the valleys below while the peaks float in brilliant sunshine above.

The sunrise walk from Arieiro is a Madeira institution: departing at dawn to watch the sun emerge from the Atlantic and bathe the basalt towers in orange and pink light before the tourist crowds arrive — a genuinely unforgettable mountain experience that requires no technical skill, only an early alarm.

Madeira's beauty extends far beyond its mountains. Dramatic sea cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, secluded coves dot the coastline, and the surrounding waters support an extraordinary diversity of marine life. A whale- and dolphin-watching excursion offers the opportunity to encounter some of the Atlantic's most remarkable wildlife.

Here, west of the European mainland, is where the adventure of a lifetime truly begins.