May 27th-PR1 Vereda do Areeiro (Pico to Pico)

That intrusive witch, Siri, chirped at 4:45AM this morning…. Oh yes, I forgot, we asked her to wake us at this un-Godly hour so that Day 5 in Madeira could prove as physically exhilarating as it was soul-stirring.

We made it to the trailhead parking lot by 6:00AM climbing up the backbone of Pico do Areeiro in the dark, headlamp cutting through the chill. At the summit, the world opened up: a sea of clouds below, the orange sun rising like fire over a kingdom of stone. I stood there, wind in my face, and felt something ancient stir—like the mountain was reminding me what it means to be small and alive at the same time.

Up here amongst the clouds, we share in the angel’s view. Breathless and heart pounding from both the moderately difficult climb and from the sheer awesomeness of this place.

The hike starts at Pico do Areeiro which is the 3rd highest peak in Madeira, The elevation gain on the Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo trail in Madeira is roughly 900M-about 3000 feet. Check the trail guide as parts of the 7.5 mile out-and-back hike, were closed. Most of the photos below were taken just 20 minutes into the hike.

It is no wonder that part of this trail is called Stairway to Heaven.