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.
7h 30m
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.
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.
Traveler reviews
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Top questions
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.
Pico do Arieiro sunrise & Larano trail hike from Funchal
7h 30m · at your hotel
from € 40 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.8061 reviews
