How to Hike PR1 in 2026: Updated Guide & Important Changes

Everyone is obsessed with doing the full PR1 hike.

And technically, yes — after the reopening in 2026 on May 1st, there is now only one official direction to complete the trail: from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo.

But there’s one important detail most people completely overlook:

The full PR1 crossing is currently only open from Friday to Sunday, as sections of the trail still require ongoing restoration work during the rest of the week. However, according to the latest official announcement, the trail is scheduled to reopen daily from 26 June 2026, once the most significant recovery works are completed.

And because of this limited availability, tour companies and shuttle services operate almost identically: they bring hundreds of people to Pico do Areeiro early in the morning — often at sunrise — and everyone starts the hike together like a giant caravan.

As a result:

• PR1 gets fully booked weeks in advance

• shuttle tickets regularly sell out

• the trail becomes overcrowded

• and what should feel like one of Madeira’s most epic adventures turns into a slow-moving line of tourists.

  NOTE! While availability is expected to improve after 26 June when the trail reopens every day, demand for PR1 remains extremely high and advance booking will still be strongly recommended.

  NOTE 2! Please note that Full PR1 will also be temporarily closed on:

  • 14–17 September
  • 21–22 September

  due to the installation of a new boardwalk.

But honestly?

For 95% of travelers, doing the entire PR1 is unnecessary.

Because the most spectacular parts of the trail are actually the beginning and the end.

Here’s the Smarter Way to Experience PR1

Before the full crossing reopened, only the section from Pico do Areeiro to the famous “Stairway to Heaven” viewpoint was accessible.

And guess what?

That section alone already contains some of the most iconic scenery on the entire hike.

• Dramatic ridgelines.

• The famous stairs.

• Cloud inversions.

• Volcanic landscapes.

• The most epic viewpoint.

You still experience the legendary atmosphere of PR1 —
without sacrificing your entire day or exhausting yourself physically.

Then, if you want even more, combine it with PR1.2 — the trail leading to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on Madeira.

That way, you still experience the major highlights of the legendary PR1 route while skipping the long central section, which is far less scenic and significantly more physically demanding.

And here’s another major advantage most people don’t realize:

Both PR1.2 and the short PR1 section toward Stairway to Heaven remain open every day of the week.

This gives you far more flexibility with your itinerary and allows you to adapt your plans based on weather conditions — something extremely important in Madeira’s mountains, where forecasts can change quickly.

In many cases, afternoon time slots are easier to secure than the popular morning slots, giving you more flexibility when planning around weather conditions.

The Biggest PR1 Hack Nobody Talks About

Never start this hike in the morning.

That’s when all the buses, tours, and transfers arrive.

Instead:

1. Start with PR1.2 in the afternoon. Do the Pico Ruivo hike first.

It takes around 2–3 hours round trip and gives you incredible mountain scenery without the massive crowds.

1. After that, drive to Pico do Areeiro and do the short PR1 section toward the Stairway to Heaven viewpoint.

By late afternoon and sunset, the trail becomes dramatically quieter.

And the experience feels completely different.

Why This Approach Is Better

You:

• avoid the huge crowds

• don’t depend on shuttle schedules

• gain flexibility with weather conditions

• save money on transfers

• spend less energy

• and still experience the best parts of PR1

Instead of paying:

• €10.50 PR1 entrance

• €35–150 for transfers

• plus dealing with complicated logistics

You only pay:

• €4.50 PR1.2 entrance

• €4.50 PR1 entrance

• around €2.50 parking at Pico do Areeiro

And that’s it.

The Best Part?

You still have time left in your day.

While driving between PR1.2 and Pico do Areeiro, you can also visit:

• Miradouro do Pico Redondo

• Restaurante Quinta do Furão

• Rocha do Navio viewpoint

• Miradouro do Guindaste

• The scenic Faial road and Wild Viewpoint of Faial

• A ponte velha

• and PR11 Levada dos Balcões

Imagine how much more of Madeira you can experience in one day instead of spending the whole day stuck in a human convoy on PR1.

That’s why most people hike PR1 the wrong way.

And honestly, this is probably one of the most valuable Madeira travel tips I can give you right now.

Below, I’ve attached a list of useful links that will help you properly plan and book this legendary hike — so you can experience its best highlights without stressing about shuttle transfers, sold-out time slots, parking, or unnecessary logistics.

First of all, using the this link, you can check the complete list of Madeira’s official hiking trails and see whether any of them currently have restrictions, closures, or temporary limitations.

This is the best source for up-to-date official trail information before planning your hikes on the island.

Second, you’ll need to book the hike using the official reservation link.

To book the short PR1 section toward Stairway to Heaven, make sure to select:
“PR1 Segment to Pedra Rija Viewpoint” (PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro – bidirecional entre o Pico do Areeiro e o Miradouro da Pedra Rija, ao km 1,2. Não permite aceder ao Pico Ruivo)

Before planning your hike, don’t forget to check the weather forecast.

For this, I recommend using the MadeiraWeather app (iOS | Android). It’s simple, intuitive, and gives a good overview of Madeira’s highly diverse microclimates across the island.

You can also combine it with Windy App (iOS | Android) — a more advanced weather app that is especially useful for checking cloud coverage, wind conditions, and mountain forecasts.

Using both apps together usually provides a fairly accurate forecast for the next few days.

And of course, I highly recommend checking the live webcams before heading into the mountains.

The webcams at Pico do Areeiro and Achada do Teixeira allow you to see real-time cloud conditions directly from the hiking areas.

I truly hope this guide helps you plan a smoother and more enjoyable experience on Madeira.

Thank you for choosing my guide for your trip.

Travel smart, don’t waste your valuable time on the island, and make the most of every day here.

And most importantly — I hope Madeira leaves you with unforgettable memories for a lifetime.

* - If you still can’t resist the urge to hike the full PR1 trail, there is still a way to do it — even when regular tickets are sold out.

Licensed tour operators on Madeira receive additional access quotas for PR1 because the local authorities consider guided hikes to be a safer and more responsible way of managing the trail. Guided groups are supervised, follow proper timing, respect trail regulations, and help reduce issues caused by unmanaged tourist traffic.

As a licensed tour operator on Madeira, I’m also able to provide this service. In many cases, access to the trail can still be arranged even the day before the hike.

That said, I personally wouldn’t recommend doing PR1 in the morning anyway. The best experience is starting later in the day and reaching Pico Ruivo around sunset, when the crowds are gone and the scenery becomes truly unforgettable.

This option includes both a private guide and a dedicated transfer service. If you’d like more details about pricing and availability, feel free to message me on Instagram with the words “Private Tour”.