DISCLAIMER: This hike is open PARTIALLY and so the alternative program is:

Start in Pico do Arieiro +

Stairway to Heaven Hike (2.5km round trip) +

Vereda do Burro trail (7.3km)

All combined its 10km and 5 hours of hiking.

Program:

Experience the most amazing natural scenery as you walk on the PR1 Stairway to Heaven Trail, on a hike in Pico do Arieiro. Walk at your own pace with total freedom as you enjoy the fantastic views. This viewpoint is located next to Pousada do Pico do Arieiro, so-called because it is the place where the bird of prey known as buzzard (Buteo buteo) nested. From this point it is possible to see São Roque do Faial and the valley of Fajã da Nogueira, the chosen nesting place of the manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).

After Stairway to Heavens trail, enjoy the PR3 Vereda do Burro trail, from there you can enjoy the view over the valley of Ribeira do Cidrão, which flows into Ribeira dos Socorridos at Curral das Freiras, or over the Paul da Serra plateau. On this walk along Vereda do Burro, you will also have the opportunity to pass by Poço da Neve, an igloo-shaped reservoir dating back to 1813, once used to store snow and hail that fell sporadically on the highest mountains of Funchal.

Finish this amazing walk at the End of Ecological Park, where you can visit a small donkeys farm in a valley and heat up with a hot chocolate at the Restaurante Barracão.

Pick up & Drop off:

Start with pickup from your accommodation* in central areas of Funchal, or Caniço - if your locations is not located in these areas, please confirm with the organizer.

The day before the hike, receive instructions from your coordinator regarding schedules, pick up time, weather forecast, hike information, digital map.

Hike Information (as disclaimed above):

- Duration (hike): 5 hours 

- Max./Min. Altitude: 1818 m / 500m 

- Distance: 10 km (PR1 + PR3 trails)

- Starting point: Pico do Arieiro

- Finishing point: Ecological Park of Funchal