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The Stairway to Heaven is a stepped ridge on PR1, 10 to 30 minutes' walk from the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, on the 1.2 km section to Pedra Rija that may be walked both ways for a €4.50 fee. Many visitors go looking for the stairway to heaven madeira photographs show and find no sign with that name: it is a nickname, not an official trail.
The full crossing to Pico Ruivo closes on some days for maintenance, while the two-way section is listed on its own; the IFCN trail table shows the state on the day.
- Trail
- PR1 Vereda do Areeiro, first section
- Two-way section
- Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija, 1.2 km
- Walk
- 10 to 30 minutes each way, stepped, uphill on the way back
- Fee
- €4.50 over 12, on SIMplifica
- From Funchal
- About 30 minutes by road
Where it is and how to get there
The usual mistake is to plan the full peak-to-peak crossing just to see this one view. You do not need to.
The stairway to heaven hike madeira walkers describe starts at Pico do Areeiro and follows PR1 towards the Pedra Rija viewpoint. The stepped ridge is about 10 to 30 minutes from the start, depending on pace and on where you stop. Either way it lies on the first 1.2 km, Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija, the section the IFCN still allows in both directions.
That section is booked on the SIMplifica portal and costs the standard €4.50 for visitors over 12, against €10.50 for PR1 in full; children 12 and under are exempt. The rules are on the IFCN's page on trail fees. The walk back to the car park is uphill, and on the way back the ridge is in front of you, which is why the famous photograph is usually taken on the return.
A stairway to heaven madeira map is simple: the start at the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, the Ninho da Manta viewpoint, then the Pedra Rija viewpoint. Pico do Areeiro is about 30 minutes from Funchal by road.
Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija
The two-way section of PR1, where the stepped ridge is.
- Pico do Arieiro viewpoint (start) the start, by the viewpoint32.7357° N, 16.9287° W · Open in Google Maps
- Ninho da Manta viewpoint Ninho da Manta viewpoint32.7392° N, 16.9336° W · Open in Google Maps
- Pedra Rija viewpoint Pedra Rija viewpoint, 1.2 km: the end of the two-way section32.7392° N, 16.9369° W · Open in Google Maps
Sunrise, photographs and drones
People expect to have the ridge to themselves at dawn and find a crowd. Sunrise transfers from Funchal are among the most reviewed tours on the island, so a madeira stairway to heaven sunrise is a shared experience. A sunset visit, which several operators also sell, is the quieter alternative.
For a stairway to heaven madeira drone shot, check the rules before you fly: the ridge lies in the central mountain massif, a Natura 2000 area, and flying rules for protected areas and for the airspace near Madeira Airport are set by the authorities, not by the trail. On foot, keep to the path: the ridge is narrow and the drops are steep.
To continue beyond Pedra Rija to Pico Ruivo, you need the full PR1 booking, and the walk becomes one way; the PR1 page explains the way down.
Transfers from Funchal to Pico do Areeiro, the road end for the ridge.
Most reviewedFunchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer
Sunrise at Pico do Areeiro and the walk to the ridge
SunriseFrom Funchal: Pico Arieiro Sunrise with Optional Breakfast
Sunrise with a breakfast option
Sunrise visits to the ridge are popular shared experiences, while sunset offers a quieter alternative.Common questions
Is the Stairway to Heaven an official trail?
No. It is a nickname for a stepped stretch of PR1 near Pico do Areeiro, on the section to the Pedra Rija viewpoint.
Do I need to walk all of PR1 to see it?
No. Pico do Areeiro to Pedra Rija and back, 1.2 km each way, may be walked both ways and costs €4.50.
How long does it take?
About 10 to 30 minutes from the start at Pico do Areeiro, depending on pace.