Hiking to a Beautiful Sunrise at Pico Ruivo in Madeira, Portugal

Note to my fellow wanderers: This guide was written from my first-hand experiences. I try my best not to over-glamorize any location I travel to because I want HappyWander’s content to be as authentic as possible. My goal is to provide you real information so that you can have the best possible adventures wandering the world. Enjoy!

Are you searching for one of the best sunrises in Madeira? Insert Pico Ruivo via PR1.2, Madeira’s tallest mountain. Witnessing a breathtaking sunrise at Pico Ruivo is an unforgettable adventure that will take you to the highest point on the island. This iconic destination offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, bathed in the golden hues. Starting your day at Pico Ruivo promises a magical encounter with adventure, especially when the weather is iffy at best. In this guide, I review everything you need to know about hiking at PR1.2 to get to a beautiful sunrise at Pico Ruivo, as well as my overall rating. Ready to experience the best Madeira has to offer? Let’s climb this adventure together!

About Pico Ruivo

Standing at an impressive 1,862 meters (6109 feet), Pico Ruivo is the highest peak in Madeira and a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. This iconic destination rewards visitors with unparalleled panoramic views of the island’s lush valleys, dramatic cliffs, and the vast Atlantic Ocean. As you ascend, you’ll experience Madeira’s diverse landscapes, from lush forests to rocky paths, making the journey as memorable as the destination.

Pico Ruivo is especially magical at sunrise or sunset, when the sky transforms into a canvas of warm hues and the surrounding peaks emerge from a sea of clouds. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply seeking a serene escape, Pico Ruivo offers a truly unforgettable experience. Be sure to pack warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and plenty of water to make the most of your adventure to this breathtaking summit.

All of these reasons make Pico Ruivo one of the best spots for a sunrise in Madeira, Portugal.

Planning Your Sunrise Adventure FAQs

In this section I will answer some common FAQs you may have about planning your next sunrise adventure at Pico Ruivo in Madeira, Portugal.

Where Should I Park?

Parking at Pico Ruivo was simple. In December when I went, it was practically empty an hour before sunrise.

Here is the address: Achada do Teixeira, 9230-097, Portugal

When I arrived at 6:15 AM, the parking lot was nearly empty, I was one of the first cars in the lot. It was a particularly sketchy weather day, but it was my second attempt to catch the sunrise here so I had to go with it.

How Much Does It Cost?

If you get to the parking lot before sunrise starts (I got there 1.5 hours before at around 6:15 AM), you won’t have to pay the 3 Euro fee. I noticed they started collecting at around 8 AM on some other hikes I was on, and I believe it’s roughly the same for this one too. If you do come to Pico Ruivo at other times of the day after 8 AM, expect to pay 3 Euros to a person stationed at the entrance of the trail in the parking lot.

What Time of the Year Should I Go to See the Sunrise?

There is really no right answer here. I visited in December and it was certainly different from a usual sunrise I’ve experienced. You should check the local Portugal weather website to get the most accurate weather. There is a weather station at Pico do Arieiro that should give somewhat accurate weather forecasts at ipma.pt.

Is Pico Ruivo Cold at Sunrise?

So is it cold at sunrise at Pico Ruivo? If you go in the winter, the short answer is YES! I’d highly recommend wearing warm clothes and layers, you probably won’t take any of them off. When I went it was right at the freezing point, windy, and started raining on my way back. Sitting at the top of Pico Ruivo was brutal waiting for the sunrise. It was super cold and I did not bring very warm clothes on this trip.

Difficulty

If you exercise regularly, this hike is not too bad. It’s paved all the way from the parking lot to the top of Pico Ruivo, which makes it very easy on your feet. You’ll definitely get your heart beat up the last portion of the hike closest to the top.

Overall, I’d give this hike a 5.5 / 10 in difficulty.

What Clothing Should I Wear While Catching a Sunrise at Pico Ruivo?

The clothing you wear at sunrise is dependent on the time of year, but I’d dress warmer than you think you need. In winter, I’d wear a heavy coat that is waterproof and wind proof. Definitely wear a few warm shirts underneath, and warm pants. While the terrain is mostly fabricated (concrete and rock path), I’d also recommend hiking shoes as it can be wet and muddy in some areas.

I did see a few guys wearing shorts at the top of Pico Ruivo. They did not last long up there and headed down after a few minutes.

What Time Do I Need To Get to the Sunrise Location?

I’d recommend getting to your sunrise location of choice at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before the scheduled sunrise. That’s because it takes quite a bit of time to hike your way to the top of Pico Ruivo. I believe it was a bit under 1 hour, and I was moving quickly too.

How Long Does It Take to Get To Pico Ruivo?

As mentioned above, it takes a little under 1 hour to get to the top of Pico Ruivo, if you’re moving quickly. Alltrails.com says the hike is 1.85 miles each way, which seemed about right. The hike is mostly uphill and get’s harder as you get closer to the top of Pico Ruivo. In total, this hike is roughly 3.7 miles in length roundtrip.

Can I Use My Phone to Take Photos?

Yes, you can use your phone! I used my Samsung Galaxy 24 Ultra to capture these shots. Professional cameras will further enhance the quality of your photos, but taking photos and videos with a nice phone will certainly do the job.

What’s the Best Sunrise Spot at Pico Ruivo?

This is a great question. This is definitely not a spot you can get out of your car and start taking photos of the sunrise. This sunrise spot requires a bit of a hike. When I went in the early morning, it was pitch black the entire hike. It was also foggy all the way up until the peak.

I believe the peak of Pico Ruivo will offer the most unique views of the sunrise, and there are a few sections up there you can take photos from.

The Play By Play: Watching the Sunrise at Pico Ruivo

In this section, I’ll highlight my experience watching the sunrise at Pico Ruivo.

On my first attempt to hike up Pico Ruivo, it was crazy foggy so I turned around after speaking with a few hikers. On my second attempt, I went for a sunrise. The ipma.pt weather site said it was going to clear up and then rain after. I was taking a chance to hike up Pico Ruivo and hopefully experience a magical sunrise. There was also a good chance it would be completely foggy, but I decided to take the chance and started my adventure up Pico Ruivo.

Parking

Before even getting to the parking lot, it’s quite an adventure of a drive winding up the mountain for what seems like hours. In reality it takes about 55 minutes to get from Funchal to Pico Ruivo. I was staying in Porto da Cruz and it still took about 30 minutes.

The parking lot itself is fairly large and mostly empty. I imagine this would not be the case in peak season.

This photo of the Pico Ruivo parking lot was taken on my way back from the sunset hike. It was quite rainy and nasty at this point.

PR1.2 Going Up

The PR1.2 trail starts immediately after the parking lot. I could not see anything on my way up. It was very foggy, and pitch black for most of the almost 1 hour long trek towards the top of Pico Ruivo.

What I can tell you is that it’s mostly uphill. There are quite a few steps. In fact, alltrails.com says that you’ll be climbing over 1500 feet, which is a good amount for how short of a distance it is to the top from the parking lot (1.85 miles each way).

Sunrise Spot

The best sunrise spot is at the top of Pico Ruivo. On this particular day, it was super foggy and rainy, but I had hope that it was going to clear up. You can imagine how arriving at the top and it looking like it did in the below video would be rather disheartening!

In the video above, you’ll notice 3 girls huddled together to the right of the screen under a blanket. It was very cold and windy at the top! Here was the vibe at the top after about 30 minutes of waiting:

I believe most of the people were German, and some were wearing shorts! Let’s just say that they didn’t last long up there and left way before the sun came out.

Before the Sunrise

If you in find yourself waiting for the sunrise at Pico Ruivo and it looks like this, wait a little bit!

Most of the people pictured here as well as a ew more ended up leaving early before the sun peaked out. That’s why before you go up, I highly recommend checking the weather and seeing if it’s supposed to clear up. And clear up it did (at least partially):

As it started to clear, I turned around and went to the observation area behind Pico Ruivo. Just at the right moment, I captured the sun peaking out above the peak of Pico Ruivo:

At Sunrise

My sunrise experience at Pico Ruivo was definitely different than many other sunrises I’ve done, including a few in Madeira. It was unique:

I absolutely loved how foggy it was because the sky turned orange:

Here’s a slightly different angle:

Sometimes you just need to have a little faith. It was a majestic experience.

Below is the last photo I took before heading back down. Most of the fog cleared:

But that was short-lived.

PR1.2 Going Down

My experience going down PR1.2 was way different than going up. Going up was pitch black. Going down turned into a foggy, windy, rainy experience. Here was my view leaving the peak:

As I continued down the mountain, it got foggier, and wetter:

And then it rained for about 1.5 miles all the way back to the parking lot:

Hiking down in the rain, I kept thinkin how fortunate I was to experience such a unique sunset where the sky lit up a bright orange through the thick fog. It’s one I won’t forget.

About My Experience Hiking Up PR1.2 to Watch a Beautiful Sunrise at Pico Ruivo

Overall, hiking PR1.2 to Pico Ruivo in Madeira, Portugal was an exciting adventure. In this section, I’ll highlight the best things about this sunrise hike as well as a few of the not so good parts.

Favorite Parts

Here are a few of my favorite parts of hiking Pico Ruivo:

Sunrise Made The Fog Glow Yellow and Orange

The sunrise at Pico Ruivo will stand out to me as being so unique. It’s not a traditional sunrise like I’m used to with the sky lighting up in a bunch of colors like it did at Pico do Arieiro. The sun was hidden in the thick clouds and fog, and then the morning sky turned bright orange. I loved this sunrise.

It Cleared Up Finally

It was a test of faith and endurance to wait when it was windy, freezing cold, and the sky looked hopeless. Most people left early, but I’m so glad I rallied and practiced patience. Nature shows us we have no control over it, we are subject to it fully. Why not just embrace it and enjoy the experience?

Least Favorite Parts

Here is my least favorite part of this hike:

Too Foggy To See Most Surrounding Mountains

While not seeing anything on the way up was expected because it was pitch black, I was hoping the fog would clear to see the surrounding mountains. There was about 20 minutes at the top when the mountain cleared of fog, but unfortunately it was still pretty strong in the surrounding areas. This fog however, was required for such a display as what transpired.

Overall Score

Waking up at 5:00 AM, 0 degrees C, hiking in pitch black: Totally worth it. The Pico Ruivo was beautiful in a different way. I was waiting at the top for about 45 minutes with about 15-20 other people. It was super cold, windy, and foggy. About 15 people ended up leaving early because they didn’t expect it to clear up. I shivered my way until the sun started coming up, and I’m so glad that I did. It was a very unique sunrise because the sun lit up the entire foggy scene, causing it to light up as a bright orange and yellow glow. My overall score for this glowing sunrise is a 8.5 / 10. It wasn’t a traditional sunrise where everything lit up with reds and purples, but that’s okay. I loved this sunrise just the way it was.

Final Thoughts on Planning For a Sunrise at Pico Ruivo

Thank you for reading about my adventure taking in the sunrise at Pico Ruivo in Madeira, Portugal! If you’ve made the decision to wake up early enough to see a sunrise at Pico Ruivo, you’re in for an exciting adventure. While the local Portugal weather app can give you a general idea the type of weather you’ll have, it is very unpredictable. You just don’t know what you’re going to get until you get near the peak of Pico Ruivo. Even then, you may get disheartened and leave just before something spectacular happens. Patience is a virtue, wait for the right time and enjoy it!

If you’re looking for the best sunrises in Madeira, I’d highly recommend giving Pico Ruivo a shot. You never know what you’ll get!

Happy wandering to you!