Madeira Private Central Peaks Day Sunset at Pico do Arieiro

Most people see Pico do Arieiro at dawn, shoulder to shoulder in a car park. We go at the other end of the day. We start in the centre of the island: Pico dos Barcelos, then Eira do Serrado at 1,095 metres looking down into Nun's Valley, and Curral das Freiras, one of the few villages on Madeira that cannot be seen from the sea. At Ribeiro Frio we walk the Levada dos Balcões, three kilometres out and back, where the Madeiran firecrest usually shows itself, a bird found nowhere else on earth. Then we climb for sunset. Three kilometres on the PR1 trail, past Ninho da Manta, usually above the clouds, to the Stairs of Heaven. The same view people queue for at dawn, in warmer light, in near silence. One car, four guests at most. I drive, I park, and I walk the trail with you. I take no commission from anything I recommend.

1. 1

   Miradouro Pico Dos Barcelos

   20 min

   A 360-degree view over Funchal and the bay, before the day turns inland.

2. 2

   Miradouro Eira do Serrado

   30 min

   A viewpoint at 1,095 metres looking straight down into Nun's Valley.

3. 3

   Curral das Freiras

   30 min

   A village ringed by peaks, one of the few on Madeira that cannot be seen from the sea.

4. 4

   Miradouros Do Paredao

   20 min

   Facing Pico Grande, the island's sixth highest peak. Quieter than the famous viewpoints, and better.

5. 5

   Ribeiro Frio

   2 hours

   A 3 km walk out and back along the levada to a valley viewpoint, where the Madeiran firecrest usually shows itself.

6. 6

   Pico do Arieiro

   2 hours

   Sunset from the PR1 trail, past Ninho da Manta and usually above the clouds, to the Stairs of Heaven. The same view people queue for at dawn, in warmer light.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.