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How this was derived · 2 steps
- Vereda do Urzal Directions
- Levada do Barreiro 4.6 Directions
- Vereda do Burro 4.6 Directions
- Vereda do Areeiro 4.6 Directions
- Vereda do Chão dos Louros Directions
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Caldeirão do Inferno 4.6 Directions
- Short Route of Queimadas Park 4.3 Directions
- Pico das Pedras - Pico Ruivo 4.5 Directions
- Short Route through the Queimadas Forest 4.0 Directions
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Vereda do Pico Ruivo 4.8 Directions
- Queimadas - Pico Ruivo - Achada do Teixeira 4.7 Directions
- Caldeirão Verde - Caldeirão do Inferno - Lombo da Ilha Viewpoint 4.5 Directions
The route you're asking about — Queimadas → Levada do Caldeirão Verde → Pico Ruivo → Pico das Pedras — is a popular combined route that stitches together sections of two official PR trails (PR 9 and PR 1.2). It's not itself a single official trail, but a community-mapped combination on AllTrails rated 4.8★ from 86 hiker reviews. Here's how it breaks down:
"Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Vereda do Pico Ruivo" | AllTrails route page ↗
- Distance: 18.2 km (out and back)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Estimated time: 9–10 hours
- Route type: Out and back
- Rating: 4.8★ (86 reviews)
This route joins a section of PR 9 (the Levada do Caldeirão Verde) with PR 1.2 (the Vereda do Pico Ruivo). Starting at Queimadas, you follow the levada deep into the laurel forest, then climb steeply to Madeira's highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1,862 m). The large elevation gain makes it one of the most demanding walks on the island — it demands excellent physical fitness. Madeira's mountain weather can change rapidly, so go prepared.
Community route mapped on AllTrails — not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature authority), so it has no official open/closed status. Check current conditions locally before setting out.
- Route: Queimadas Forest Park → Caldeirão Verde → Caldeirão do Inferno
- Distance: 8.7 km (+ 8.7 km return)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: ~6h30
- Altitude: 872 m – 1,020 m
- Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years) via SIMplifica; parking €2.00/hour
- Highlights: Tunnels carved through rock, lush laurel forest (Laurissilva), the spectacular Caldeirão Verde waterfall
- Official page (VisitMadeira) ↗ · AllTrails ↗ · Directions ↗
- Route: Achada do Teixeira → Pico Ruivo
- Distance: 2.8 km (+ 2.8 km return)
- Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep at altitude)
- Duration: ~1h30
- Altitude: 1,852 m – 1,857 m (Madeira's highest point!)
- Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years) via SIMplifica
- Highlights: 360° panoramic summit views; the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo shelter
- Official page (VisitMadeira) ↗ · Directions ↗
- Route: Queimadas → Pico das Pedras
- Distance: 1.9 km
- Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years); parking €2.00/hour
- A short, accessible path through the Queimadas park — this is the stretch that connects to Pico das Pedras at the lower end.
- Official page ↗ · Directions ↗
If you're specifically interested in the Pico das Pedras to Pico Ruivo section (the upper part of the combined route), AllTrails has it as a separate listing:
- Distance: 9.0 km (out and back)
- Difficulty: Hard
- Estimated time: 4.5–5 hr
- Rating: 4.5★ (94 reviews)
- Starts at Pico das Pedras with spectacular panoramic views, passes the Achada do Teixeira shelter and the "Homem em Pé" basalt formation
- AllTrails ↗ · Directions ↗
This is also a community route (not an official IFCN PR trail) and has no official open/closed status.
| Full combined route | PR 9 (Caldeirão Verde) | PR 1.2 (Pico Ruivo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 18.2 km | 8.7 km + 8.7 km return | 2.8 km + 2.8 km return |
| Difficulty | Hard | Moderate | Moderate |
| Time | 9–10 hr | ~6h30 | ~1h30 |
| Altitude range | ~872 m → 1,862 m | 872–1,020 m | 1,852–1,857 m |
| Access fee | €4.50 (SIMplifica) | €4.50 (+ €2/hr parking) | €4.50 |
- The combined route is seriously demanding — you're going from levada-level (~870 m) to Madeira's summit at 1,862 m. Bring adequate fitness, water, wind/rain layers, and a head torch for the levada tunnels.
- Weather changes fast at altitude: check the mountain forecast and IPMA warnings before you go.
- The SIMplifica access fee covers the Queimadas/IFCN managed area — pay online before you arrive.
Want me to check the mountain forecast and IPMA warnings for the area, or look at how to get to Queimadas by bus from where you're staying?





