Pico Ruivo, Curral das Freiras

Be sure to arrive during sunrise, you will be awarded with the amazing view and colours on the mountains. We started at Pico do Ariero and to reach Pico Ruivo but unfortunately, we did have to turn back after 1 hour because a landslide happened yesterday and it was too dangerous to cross, leading to many people returning as all. When we returned the police was about to investigate the area. But still, totally worth hiking up to that point.

We did a hike tour from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and back. It is, no doubt, a beautiful hike tour, BUT - we recommend: 1. good shoes, 2. at least a little physical condition. Of course the weather plays the main role. Most of the day, the mountains were in a mist, which leaves the route very slippery. The terrain is up and down and up and down, most of the time. You’ll go through several tunnels, where are little puddles on the floor. The hike is not dangerous or super difficult, but with the combination of the wet ground and stairs you need to stay focused. We met several older people turning back. What spoils the overall impression of the beauty of nature are bad smelling corners full of toilet paper, the biggest of them right under the Ruivo next to a little cafe mountaing cottage. At the end of the tour, we had the opportunity to see the tops of the mountains and the view is definitively worth it!