Pico Ruivo e Boca da Encumeada — percurso PR1.3 na Ilha da Madeira

Stairs, stairs, stairs, spectacular sunsets and freezing cold mountain huts ☀️

The tour begins with the ascent to Pico Ruivo. There are a number of steps to overcome. I can't get enough of the many orchids along the way. Along the mountain ridge it goes up and down again and again. If the clouds allow it, there are already magnificent views. The final sprint is the ascent to Pico Ruivo. Once at the top, there is an impressive view of the mountains and valleys. Before going to the Achada do Teixeira, there is a stop at a hut.

The weather just didn't want the way we wanted it to be ☀️☀️☀️ Fog and rain no distant view just a pity 😥 The mystical fog also had its face and as a reward it really poured out of buckets today, so that we got wet down to our underpants became. We didn't see much but that Refreshments at the pass were worthwhile. The poncha tasted particularly good here. We enjoy Madeira's national drink made of honey, lemon and sugar cane schnapps and we continued to our today's destination.

Today we had a wonderful hike, the queen stage - "Achada do Teiseira". An island crossing on a ridge hike over the highest mountain in Madaira, the Pico Ruivo 1812 with Hm. The views over the mountain range were beautiful. . The paths demanded our full attention, with roots, stones and thousands of steps it was a real challenge. There was a stop at the Encumeada pass, our thirst had to be quenched.!!!! There was so much variety again today, really great 😘

Decent uphill hike on the Encumeada Pass ridge trail. The path changes the ridge side several times and thus allows versatile insights into the different valleys. The condition of the trail is excellent and the hassle of getting there is definitely worth the effort. 😊

Beautiful, but strenuous, sparsely signposted route, which is only recommended in good weather and organizational skills. You cannot get to the Achada Do Teixeira car park by public transport. Suggested solutions: rental car, taxi or joining a group. For just under the first hour, to Pico Ruivo de Santana at 1862 m, it is heavily frequented, wide and well-developed. Then it finally gets lonely. You can expect stony mountain paths, some of which are heavily mossy and slippery, even icy. Steep, often muddy descents and counter-climbs on the north side challenge the stamina and leg muscles. Since trade fog, wind or rain can quickly gather up here, you should have sturdy shoes, sun, rain and cold protection with you, as well as sufficient water and possibly provisions. Every now and then paths cross with no signposts. Halfway through the route, depending on the weather or tiredness, you have the option of descending into the valley via Lombo Do Urzal or Curral das Freiras.

I can only recommend this tour... After Pico Ruivo it was a bit alpine and at the end there were at least 3000 steps down... Surefootedness required

We started with a bus transfer to the parking lot below Casa da Heidi. From here we went along the Vereda da Encumeada hiking trail. It was an up and down in the best weather with a great mountain backdrop. It was totally worth it. Great tour. But it can get a bit slippery when it rains.