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São Roque Do Faial

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Stairway to Heaven loop from Arieiro

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São Roque Do Faial

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Stairway to Heaven loop from Arieiro

Hard

4.5

(516)

4,027

hikers

Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Stairway to Heaven loop from Arieiro

01:33

3.35km

280m

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: July 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 1.62 km for 156 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

496 m

Trail to Pico do Areeiro

Highlight • Trail

Since the upper parking lot is full relatively early, you can take a shortcut using this path

Translated by Google •

Tip by

901 m

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

1.39 km

Stone Staircase to Pico do Arieiro

Highlight • Trail

Nice tour with great moments again and again 🤩

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Tip by

1.50 km

Stone Steps Trail

Highlight • Trail

1.58 km

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

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Tip by

1.64 km

View from Pico do Arieiro

Highlight • Viewpoint

1.66 km

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.

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Tip by

2.12 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.

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Tip by

3.35 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.20 km

1.08 km

729 m

264 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.56 km

1.21 km

325 m

234 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (1,790 m)

Lowest point (1,650 m)

Weather

Sunday 19 July

22°C

18°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Comments

July 19, 2025,PR 1 - Vereda do Areeiro

Got up at 4:30 and quickly headed to our sunrise destination. No, we weren't first, but there was plenty of parking. At the observatory, the route turns left. It was a short 2km total to a beautiful sunrise spot. The entire PR1 route is still closed until the end of 2025. It was wonderful, a nice way to end a …

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September 30, 2024,Een spontane hike op Pico do Arieiro

From Santana we let the navigation show us the way to Pico do Arieiro. As the crow flies it's a short distance, but via all the mountain roads the distance is almost four times as long.

Jurgen confidently steered the car into the mountains. It was like a computer game, because we encountered all sorts of surprises along the way.

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September 10, 2024,Madeira - Vom Pico Arieiro zum Miradouro Pedra Rija

This hike is the highlight of every Madeira trip - if you could do it in its entirety! Unfortunately, the PR 1 was currently only accessible from the Pico do Arieiro to the Miradouro Pedra Rija. But even this short section offers fantastic views of the mountains of Madeira, the valleys and the peaks - as long as the clouds …

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June 8, 2025,"Fake Side of the Moon" Gipfeltour Pico do Arieiro Funchal (Madeira)

A very cool hike to the summit of Pico do Arieiro. Park in the parking lot about 800 meters below the summit. Once there, you can continue on to various other peaks, depending on your mood and fitness. Lots of steps and significant climbs per meter.

But magnificent views, and always above the clouds.

Showing Translation

November 10, 2025,Tour ab Arieiro Richtung Puig Ruivo

Parking costs €5 per day. Further up, it's €25 per day. Unfortunately, the path to the Riuvo was closed after 1.5 km. It's supposed to reopen at the end of November 2025, so please check beforehand. The path is fantastic even without it! 😊

Showing Translation

May 25, 2025,Sonnenaufgang über den Wolken l

We got up early and climbed the mountain in the dark, so we were at the top at 7:00 a.m. sharp and could admire the magnificent sunrise above the clouds. Then we climbed the ladder to heaven to the barrier sign, because the path further on is closed. The views were worth it. Simply magnificent.😍

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March 29, 2026,🇵🇹 Madeira PR1 - Vereda do Areeiro / Pico do Arieiro - Pedra Rija

Before we leave tomorrow, we're doing another "mountain tour" today - from Pico do Arieiro to Pedra Rija. Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 meters, is one of the highest mountains on Madeira.
There are plenty of parking spaces in the lower, inexpensive parking lot for "hikers" - parking for 24 hours costs €5; correspondingly less for shorter parking times. Our …

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June 19, 2025,Pico do Areeiro

Very short, but wonderfully beautiful walk at the Pico do Areeiro.

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Ninho da Manta Viewpoint – Stairway to Heaven loop from Arieiro

Trail to Pico do Areeiro

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

Stairway to Heaven

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