Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Curral Das Freiras

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m) – Ninho da Manta Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Curral Das Freiras

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m) – Ninho da Manta Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

Hard

4.5

(593)

4,950

hikers

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m) – Ninho da Manta Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

01:02

2.28km

150m

Hiking

Hard hike. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 835 m for 651 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

140 m

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m)

Highlight • Summit

The Pico do Arieiro is one of the must-see natural sites on the island of Madeira. At 1,818 meters above sea level, it is the third highest peak on the island. It offers spectacular views of the steep cliffs it dominates as well as an infinite horizon over the ocean.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

630 m

Stone Staircase to Pico do Arieiro

Highlight • Trail

Nice tour with great moments again and again 🤩

Translated by Google •

Tip by

735 m

Stone Steps Trail

Highlight • Trail

822 m

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Ninho da Manta viewpoint is located just a few meters from the start of the Vereda do Areeiro route (PR1), one of the most famous hikes in Madeira. It has therefore become an obligatory stop, both for hikers setting off from here to the island's highest peak and for visitors to Pico do Areeiro.
This observation point next to the Pousada do Pico do Areeiro was called Ninho da Manta because a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a bird of prey, supposedly nested there. You can see the municipality of São Roque do Faial and the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, the preferred nesting site of the shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).
Likewise, from the Ninho da Manta viewpoint you can see part of the central mountain range of Madeira. The landscape is dominated by impressive rock formations that often rise above the clouds. The endemic species of the Madeira petrel (Pterodroma madeira), which is considered the most threatened lake, also nests here

Translated by Google •

Tip by

879 m

View from Pico do Arieiro

Highlight • Viewpoint

899 m

Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo Trail

Highlight • Trail

The PR1 hiking trail – Vereda do Areeiro, which leads from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, is one of the best-maintained high-altitude trails in Madeira – despite its alpine character.

Current situation (May 2025)
Only the first section, from Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija (~1.2 km), is currently open.
This section is in very good condition – with railings, paved steps, and a well-maintained path.
The main section over the ridge (Stairway to Heaven, Tunnel, and Torres) remains closed until further notice.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.15 km

Narrow Path (Pedra Rija Ridge)

Highlight • Trail

Great view of parts of the island and the Atlantic. Path is very well developed.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.86 km

Stairway to Heaven

Highlight • Trail

Another highlight along the route. However, immediately afterward, the path is blocked by an iron gate. The path has collapsed, and there was a forest fire. According to unconfirmed reports, it is scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2026.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.28 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.56 km

400 m

216 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.54 km

641 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,780 m)

Lowest point (1,630 m)

Weather

Friday 8 May

17°C

13°C

25 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Nearby routes

Moderate

4.8

42,234

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço — PR8 on the Island of Madeira

02:04h

6.75km

230m

Moderate

4.7

33,190

25 Fontes, Risco, and Alecrim Levadas Loop

04:37h

13.3km

560m

Moderate

4.8

25,369

Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova Trail

03:04h

8.78km

340m

Moderate

4.7

19,390

PR 1.2 - Pico Ruivo Trail

02:06h

5.56km

340m

Hard

4.7

19,199

PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde Trail

05:57h

16.4km

610m

Hard

4.9

12,374

PR1 - Vereda do Areeiro Trail

05:31h

11.0km

790m

Moderate

4.6

17,966

PR 6 - Levada das 25 Fontes Trail

02:55h

8.02km

400m

Moderate

4.7

11,172

PR18 Levada do Rei Trail

03:18h

10.2km

440m

Moderate

4.6

8,638

Fanal and PR14 Levada dos Cedros Loop

04:12h

12.0km

420m

Easy

4.5

9,028

PR11 Vereda dos Balcões Trail

00:52h

2.89km

90m

Moderate

4.6

5,022

Ribeiro Frio to Chão das Feiteiras Loop Trail

03:10h

9.47km

450m

Moderate

4.6

5,019

Vereda Lagoa do Vento e Levada do Alecrim — Circular route PR6.3 on Madeira Island

02:08h

6.52km

210m

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m) – Ninho da Manta Viewpoint loop from Arieiro

Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m)

Stone Staircase to Pico do Arieiro

Stone Steps Trail

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint

View from Pico do Arieiro

Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo Trail

Narrow Path (Pedra Rija Ridge)

Stairway to Heaven

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️