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PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo

PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo — the trail guide

The PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo is a 5.4 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in Half day, with 362 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (67 m of gain per km, topping out at 1834 m).

Madeira's shortest way to its highest point: a 2.7 km cobbled and stepped path from the Achada do Teixeira car park (1,592 m) up to the 1,862 m summit of Pico Ruivo. It traverses the island's volcanic spine past the Casa de Abrigo shelter, with the crumbling ridges of the Central Massif falling away on both sides and, on good mornings, a sea of cloud below. It is walked out and back in two to three hours; a paid IFCN trail ticket is required.

Quick facts

Distance5.4 km
Total ascent362 m
Typical durationHalf day
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness67 m gain per km
High point1834 m
CountryPortugal
RegionPortugal

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 1580 m · high point 1834 m · 362 m total ascent over 5.4 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1571 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan97 mm
Feb91 mm
Mar94 mm
Apr10°70 mm
May12°48 mm
Jun14°72 mm
Jul16°17 mm
Aug18°10°22 mm
Sep16°10°49 mm
Oct14°99 mm
Nov11°104 mm
Dec10°117 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo?

The PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo is 5.4 km, and most hikers complete it in Half day. Total elevation gain is 362 m.

How difficult is the PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 67 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1834 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the PR 1.2 — Vereda do Pico Ruivo?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.765, -16.921 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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