The Most Beautiful Places of Madeira, Part 3 - The High Mountains

Oh yes, the high mountains in Madeira are definitely its most beautiful part. The volcanic rocks of amazing colors and shapes (similarly to the ones on Sao Lourenço Pennisula) in many places drop several hundred meters into the narrow gorges below. Even in the High Tatras there are only few such high cliffs. Therefore, for me, Madeira is simply a vertical island!

Pico Grande and Pico Casado

At the top of Pico Grande with Pico Casado, Pico Ruivo, Pico das Torres, Pico do Cidrão i Pico do Arieiro in the background

Pico Grande is probably the prettiest viewpoint on the island, nicer even than Pico do Arieiro or Pico Ruivo (more about them below). And it's not easy to climb - even the easiest route from Boca da Corrida it means a few hundred meters of vertical ascent. On the other hand, thanks to this, there are usually only few people there, and if you decide to extend your excursion towards Pico Casado, there is a good chance that you will not meet anyone there. It is a pity that to get to the top of Pico Casado, for the last 300 meters you have to wade through bushes often taller than a man (who tried to wade through the mountain pine in the Tatras, knows what I'm writing about). The reward for this is a great satisfaction and a wonderful and original view of the Madeira mountains from the top.

Quite common view in the high mountains: clear sky above and clouds over the coast

Sunrise at the Pico Grande

Pico de Serradinho seen from Pico Grande

At the top of Pico Grande

Daybreak at the top of Pico Casado with Pico Grande in the background

View from Pico Casado in the direction of Pico do Arieiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo

Pico Grande (in the background) and Pico do Jorge seen from Pico Casado

Pico do Cerco (left) and Pico Grande (right) seen from Pico Casado

View from Pico Casado in the direction of Pico Grande

View from Pico Casado

View from Pico Casado

View from Pico Casado

Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo

View from Pico do Arieiro, Pico do Cidrão on the left

The path connecting these two peaks is the most famous trail in Madeira and it is not surprising - in many places it follows a ridge (especially near Pico do Arieiro) or traverses vertical rock walls, in one place it even passes through a rock hewn tunnel (headlamp recommended, but a flashlight in a cellphone will work too). For the most of the time, the views are simply breathtaking.

Miraduoro do Ninho da Manta

Beginning of Pico do Arieiro-Pico Ruivo trail

Sunrise at the top of Pico do Cidrão

Pico do Arieiro seen from Pico do Cidrão

Madeira mountains panorama from Pico do Cidrão

The high mountains of Madeira

Interestingly, you can get to the top of Pico do Arieiro by car, which has its advantages and disadvantages (this is an ideal spot for sunrise and for sunset, but it is a pity that there is always a huge crowd there). Oh, of course, you should not forget that these are high mountains and what can happen in such area, it also happens in Madeira, even in the middle of summer (temperatures from 0 to 30 degrees Celsius, gusty wind, horrible heat, fog, rain falling horizontally and few other similar pleasures).

Daybreak at Pico do Arieiro

View from Miraduoro do Juncal

Madera before the sunrise, Pico das Torres on the rigt in the background

Miraduoro do Ninho da Manta, Pico das Torres in the background

Miraduoro do Ninho da Manta

Miraduoro do Ninho da Manta