PR1 Vereda do Areeiro Up to 6 people

Service Description

This 7km walk has a duration of about 3.30 hours and connects two of the highest peaks of Madeira Islands, this is a stunning walk, involves tunnels, and some steep ascents and descents, with fabulous views of the central core of the mountains. This trail connects two of the highest peaks of Madeira Island, Pico Ruivo (1862 m) and Pico do Areeiro (1817 m), crossing part of the Central Mountain Massif, an area integrated in the Natura 2000 Network. Starting at Pico do Areeiro, within a short distance we come upon the Ninho da Manta (Buzzard’s Nest) belvedere. From this platform where this bird of prey is supposed to have bred, one can see the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, where some Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinnus) breed, São Roque do Faial and a large part of the Central Mountain Range. This is the only known breeding site in the world of Zino’s petrel (Pterodroma madeira), an endemic species considered to be the most endangered seabird of Europe. To reach Pico Ruivo, we must go around Pico das Torres up a steep incline of steps carved in the rock and then descend, the most difficult part of this trail being the final climb to the Shelter at Pico Ruivo. But the thought of reaching the highest point of the island is a driving force. Along the way, we find various caves dug out of the volcanic tuff where the cattle took refuge and which served as shelter for the shepherds; we can also see various birds, some of the more important ones being species restricted to Maca

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