Sunrise hike Pico do Areeiro Madeira: watch from 3rd peak

Feel the fresh morning calm as daylight breaks over Madeira’s peaks

A guided sunrise hike on Pico do Areeiro in Madeira starts before dawn, climbing to 1,818 meters to watch the sun rise over the island, then descends through the Laurisilva Forest and remote villages with a driver-guide, pickup from your hotel, and bottled water included. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunrise and scenic hikes in Madeira

• Climb to Pico do Areeiro via Camacha
• Watch sunrise at Pico do Areeiro
• Descend through Santo da Serra village
• Final descent to Santa Cruz city
• Hike flat trail in Laurisilva Forest
• Visit glasswalk viewpoint in Faial

The Experience

The hike begins in darkness. You climb toward Pico do Areeiro, Madeira's third-highest peak, passing through Camacha—a mountain village known for its wicker crafts—and then Poiso, where a shelter house turned bar marks the 1,500-meter mark. By the time you reach the summit at 1,818 meters, the sky is beginning to lighten. The sunrise from that elevation, with the island still mostly dark below, is the reason people wake before dawn for this tour.

After watching the light spread across Madeira, the descent takes a different route. You walk through the Laurisilva Forest along a flat viewpoint trail—a UNESCO-protected laurel forest that feels remote despite being on a small island—and stop at a glasswork viewpoint in Santana's Faial district, where you can see the north coast laid out below. The final stretch uses narrow, winding roads that locals know, dropping down toward Santa Cruz. A guide who speaks English or Portuguese leads the whole day and handles the route; pickup from your hotel and bottled water are included.

The tour suits people who can hike uphill in the dark and don't mind an early start. Families with infants are welcome—children can sit on a parent's lap during the drive portions. The pace is steady but not rushed, and the operator notes the hike is suitable for all fitness levels, though the altitude and the pre-dawn timing are the real factors that shape the day.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• a driver-guide speaking English or Portuguese.
• bottled water.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hugo Renato Escórcio Melim

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling with others and want to catch the sunrise from Madeira's highest point—the shared van departs early and returns by mid-morning, so you're back at your hotel for breakfast.

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Top questions

What time does the sunrise hike on Pico do Areeiro start?

The tour starts before dawn so you reach the 1,818-meter summit in time to watch the sunrise. Your guide picks you up from your hotel and drives to the trailhead; the exact departure depends on the season and when sunrise occurs that day.

How long is the hike up Pico do Areeiro?

The full tour, including the drive, the climb, the descent through the forest and villages, and the return to your hotel, takes 4 to 5 hours. Most of that time is spent hiking and walking the viewpoint trails rather than sitting in the vehicle.

What is the Laurisilva Forest viewpoint like?

The Laurisilva Forest is a UNESCO-protected laurel forest in Madeira. The viewpoint walk is flat and easy, and it sits in the middle of the forest along a trail where you can see the raw landscape and views that the operator describes as remarkable.

Can I bring my young child on this sunrise hike?

Yes, children are welcome from age 1. Infants can sit on an adult's lap during the vehicle portions. The hike itself is steep and happens in darkness, so you'll need to decide whether your child can manage the climb or if you'd prefer to take turns with another adult.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel, a driver-guide who speaks English or Portuguese, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before the tour starts or bring snacks for the descent.

Are there viewpoints besides the summit?

Yes. After the sunrise, you descend through Santo da Serra, a village surrounded by raw nature, and stop at a glasswork viewpoint in Santana's Faial district on the north coast. The descent also uses remote, narrow roads that offer views the operator calls "amazing postcard pictures."