Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro Stairway To Heaven and PR3 Self Guided
Overview
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Begin your day above the clouds with a breathtaking sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak. As the sky turns shades of gold and violet, you’ll witness one of the island’s most unforgettable views. After sunrise, follow a stunning section of the PR1 trail toward the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” — a dramatic ridge walk with epic photo opportunities. Then, continue your adventure on the PR3 – Vereda do Burro, a quieter trail that leads you through wide mountain scenery, peaceful paths, and open skies. The full hike takes around 5 hours and offers the perfect balance of beauty, challenge, and serenity. At the end, relax with a coffee or local treat before your comfortable return. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, with early and late start times available. Whether you’re chasing sunrises or unforgettable hikes, this is a true Madeira highlight.
We will inform you the exact pickup time the day before, and keep you updated via WhatsApp.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travelers with vertigo
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro - Watch the first light of day break above the clouds, painting the horizon in golden and pink tones – a breathtaking start to your adventure. PR1: Ninho da Manta & Stairway to Heaven - Walk a scenic section of the famous PR1 trail. Admire sweeping views from Ninho da Manta viewpoint and experience the dramatic Stairway to Heaven. PR3: Vereda do Burro - Continue your journey along PR3, a gentler trail through mountain ridges, pine forests, and high-altitude landscapes — perfect for a balanced hike. Return in Comfort - After the walk, relax as we drive you back to your hotel. A smooth and comfortable ride to end a day full of unforgettable memories.
What‘s Included
Driver
Briefing before the hike
Pickup and Drop off on your accommodation
Bottled water
Meals
You can paid on the moment of the hike or use the official website
Guide ( it is a Self-Guide Walk but we´ll provide all the instructions you need
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro Stairway To Heaven and PR3 Self Guided
Pickup included
Reviews
23 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our guide Luís was on...
Imogen B,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Luís was on time, fun and had answers to all of our questions about the hike and Madeira. Would highly recommend as it makes your journey to/from your hike much more enjoyable 😁
Brilliant guide, superb trip
chrishZ4354WM,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Seeing sunrise on the peak was a phenomenal experience! The walk down PR3 was very quiet with brilliant scenery. Luis was a fantastic guide and went out of his way to organise the trip for us, even with some disruption from route closures and limited tickets to access the trails, he planned the day so we got to do it all. He’s very knowledgable about Madeira, answering all the questions we could throw at him, and even gave some great recommendations for restaurants in the city.
Amazing trip, very helpful guide
nicoledU3729RS,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Would 100% recommend. The trip was easy to book, our guide was super helpful tailoring the trip for the best options for the group. Sunrise and the views were incredible! We also enjoyed PR3 as a less busy walk to appreciate the area. Would definitely do again :)
It’s beautiful! My guide...
Jinal B,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s beautiful! My guide Luis was really funny and very kind and helpful. Highly recommended, magical sunrise
The most beautiful sunrise in pico do Arieiro
X2856UB ,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was the most picturesque hike i had it Madeira. The driver Luis was so sweet and kind. He explained everything, showed the best place to meet sunrise, told plenty of stories about Madeira. Then i had the part of challenging hike pr1 and the relaxing hike pr3. Highly recommend to have a transfer with this guy!
Brilliant hike down the mountain
Virginia H,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A wonderful way to start the day! Luis even prepared us for the unexpected, he was extremely helpful. I highly recommend using his transfer for this hike and others. He was prompt, gave us food and shopping suggestions, and even checked in on us partway through. No sunrise this morning but the little flashes of light trying to make it through made it wonderful anyways.
Best driver
E8968HPlaureng,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00BEST DRIVER EVER. I cannot recommend Luis more. He was SO knowledgeable, kind, and funny. He explained everything perfectly about the hikes. We didn’t get to see the sunrise but Luis took us to two lookout spots. I also told him I was vegatarian and he sent so many restaurants for me. He is absolutely the best!!
Sunrise trip to Pico do Arieiro
caroline w,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We’ve had such a fabulous day. Luis was extremely friendly and helpful with lots of tips and recommendations for our trip. We did the sunrise hike PR1 and PR3, we all really enjoyed it. Communication from Luis was excellent he was very friendly and made us feel comfortable . We would definitely recommend him and will contact him for future trips to Madeira .
Wonderful adventure
allianar2025,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a hiking tour in Madeira for PR1 and PR3, and the whole experience was excellent from start to finish. The organization was smooth and everything worked perfectly. Luis was responsible for the transfer and the introduction before the hike. He picked us up on time and drove us safely to the starting point. Before we began, he explained everything clearly — the routes, important safety information, timing, and what to expect during the hikes. His instructions were helpful and made us feel well prepared and confident to do the trails on our own. The hikes themselves were self-guided, and Luis waited for us while we were on the trails. It was very reassuring to know that he was there and available if needed. He was extremely friendly, funny, and kind, which created a very relaxed and positive atmosphere right from the beginning. After we finished, he even gave us extra time to enjoy some food and drinks at a café, which we really appreciated. It showed that he truly cares about his guests and wants them to have a great overall experience, not just complete the tour. We would definitely book more tours with him again and highly recommend him to anyone visiting Madeira. Thank you for a wonderful day 🥰.
Perfect
aurorapU9696IG,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent driver! Punctual and very professional, made the transfer really enjoyable. Always nice, attentive during the trip and available to give useful tips and recommendations on what to see and do in the area. Impeccable service and great friendliness: I absolutely recommend it to those looking for a reliable and pleasant transfer.
From €30.00
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