Hiking to catch the sunrise on Madeira
Madeira is a second self-governing island region of Portugal, consisting of four small islands. Each island boasts a subtropical climate and breathtaking scenery, including pebble beaches, towering cliffs, and volcanic rock formations. It is obvious that Madeira is home to some of the most stunning hiking paths in all of Europe, many of which end at vantage spots with expansive views of the cliffs and ocean.
Madeira is a hiker's dream, offering everything from easy, level Levada hikes through the island's inner forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to more difficult mountain peaks that take you above the skies. The 1.5-kilometer (just under 1 mile) Pico Ruivo do Paul path is a short, leisurely trek that takes around 45 minutes to complete. The journey concludes at a 1600-meter-high signposted overlook, where you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the coastline.
Additionally, one of the best and most adventurous things to do in Portugal is to catch the sunrise on a well-known lengthy route that connects the island's two highest summits, Pico Do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo. The longer and more challenging 15.6 km (9.7 mi) track in Madeira will take you about 7-9 hours to complete.
In sum:
- Madeira is home to some of the most beautiful long-distance roads in Europe.
- Pico Ruivo Do Paul is a short trip, which takes about 45 minutes to complete, where you are rewarded with the spectacular scenery of the coast.
- You can catch the sunrise on a 15.6 km long route (9.7 m) that connects the island's two highest summits, Pico Do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo.
