"Sunday 17th March 2019. An ascent of Pico Ruivo de Santana 1862m/1862m and Pico do Arieiro 1818m/263m. 9.0km, with 900m of ascent. 5 hours 30mins. The mountains of Madeira form an east to west spine along the island, with three main ranges. To the west lies the Paúl da Serra plateau, reaching its highest point on Pico Ruivo do Paúl da Serra 1645m/645m. To the east of the Boca da Encumeada pass is the central range, reaching its highest point on Pico Casado 1725m/280m. To the east again, on the other side of the Boca das Torrinhas pass, are the highest peaks, including Pico Ruivo da Santana 1862m/1862m, the highest mountain on Madeira. These mountains, and indeed the whole island, are composed of a suite of volcanic rocks – for an account of their formation, see at https://www.madeira-a-z.com/facts-and-essentials/geography/geology.html A trail was constructed in the 20th Century between Pico Ruivo da Santana and Pico Arieiro, winding a circuitous route along the precipitous connecting ridge and avoiding the two intervening mountains – Pico das Torres 1847m/232m and Pico do Gato 1712m/117m. This path is a feat of engineering, using a series of metal stairways, tunnel..." — marktrengove • Mar 17, 2019

"Wow, what a special place. Never have I seen such dramatic mountain beauty. The jagged volcanic peaks jut out of either the Atlantic or the clouds depending on the weather, either should be impressive. My ascent was from Achado do Texeira. I drove through dense fog until 4500 ft up, but once above the clouds it was all sun. Bring your water. I ran the hike in tennis shoes and it went by quickly. I think it took me 15-20 minutes to run down however am uncertain of the ascent time but it was relative. Beautiful beautiful hike. A must-do if you find yourself in Madeira." — zachmitch • Jun 17, 2017

"Walked to Pico Ruivo from Pico Arriero and back. Beatiful trial well maintained with cliffs and very narrow passages at times but with protection cables in all the tricky passages. " — daviddiedejean • May 1, 2016