Pico do Arieiro sunrise & Larano trail hike from Funchal

Sunrise at the summit, then a coastal hike through Madeira's wildest terrain

A full-day hiking tour from Funchal that starts before dawn at Pico do Arieiro for sunrise, includes an optional 1.2 km ascent of the "Stairs of Heaven" trail, a stop at the Glass Platform viewpoint, and ends with a self-guided 7 km hike along the Larano trail between Machico and Porto da Cruz. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The tour suits hikers with moderate fitness who want mountain and coastal scenery in one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunrise and coastal hike in Madeira

• Hotel pick-up before sunrise
• Watch sunrise at Pico do Arieiro
• Optional hike on Stairs of Heaven trail
• Visit Glass Platform at Guindaste Viewpoint
• Hike 7 km Larano coastal trail
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup about 1.5 hours before sunrise. The exact time arrives by email or WhatsApp by 8:30 PM the night before. Dress in layers. Mountain weather at Pico do Arieiro bears no resemblance to Funchal's coast. You'll reach the peak in time to watch the sunrise (weather permitting, clouds sometimes block the view, and refunds are not offered in such cases). From there, you can choose to hike the optional PR1 "Stairs of Heaven" trail, a 1.2 km ascent that takes about 45 minutes round-trip and costs €3 on-site.

After Pico do Arieiro, the tour moves to the Glass Platform at Guindaste Viewpoint, where you stand on a transparent floor and look straight down at the ocean. Then comes the main event: the Larano Trail, a 7 km self-guided coastal hike that takes roughly 2.5 hours. This is a moderate-difficulty walk between Machico and Porto da Cruz, skirting Madeira's dramatic cliffs and revealing the raw, wild side of the island. You hike at your own pace. The guide does not lead this section.

Once you finish the Larano Trail, you're driven back to your hotel. The whole day runs about 7.5 hours from pickup to drop-off. Bring water and snacks. Lunch and drinks are not included. A moderate level of physical fitness is expected. This is not a stroll, but the Larano section is self-paced, so you control the intensity.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off between Funchal and Caniço.
• sunrise viewing at Pico do Arieiro.
• access to the Glass Platform at Guindaste Viewpoint.
• the self-guided 7 km Larano Trail hike with coastal views between Machico and Porto da Cruz.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 3

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Wildermadeira

Is this one for you?You hike the Larano Trail at your own pace on a self-guided section, which suits anyone who wants to control the rhythm without a group keeping time: the mountain sunrise and coastal cliffs are arranged and timed for you, so the day holds together without building it yourself.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the hotel pickup happen?

Hotel pickup occurs about 1.5 hours before sunrise, with the exact time sent by email or WhatsApp by 8:30 PM the day before your tour.

Can I skip the Larano Trail hike if I'm not feeling up to it?

The Larano Trail is the core of the day, but since it's self-guided and moderate in difficulty, you set your own pace. The optional "Stairs of Heaven" hike at Pico do Arieiro is separate and costs €3 on-site if you choose it.

What happens if clouds block the sunrise at Pico do Arieiro?

Pico do Arieiro sunrise is weather-dependent, and clouds sometimes obscure the view. No refunds are offered if weather prevents visibility on the day of your tour.

Is the Larano Trail guided, or do I hike it on my own?

The Larano Trail is self-guided. You hike the 7 km coastal route at your own pace between Machico and Porto da Cruz, taking roughly 2.5 hours.

What should I bring for this tour?

Wear warm layers and sturdy hiking shoes. Mountain weather differs greatly from Funchal's coast. Bring water and snacks, as lunch and drinks are not included. The Glass Platform viewpoint requires no special gear.