Experience Achada do Teixeira through our live webcam. Monitor weather conditions, mountain views, and the gateway to Madeira's highest peak at 1,592 metres altitude.
Live view of Achada do Teixeira plateau, offering a unique perspective of this mountain gateway to Pico Ruivo.
Achada do Teixeira is a mountain plateau at 1,592 metres above sea level, serving as the most accessible gateway to Pico Ruivo (1,862m), Madeira's highest peak. Our webcams show the plateau, the famous 'Homem em PĂŠ' (Standing Man) basalt rock formation, and current weather conditions. The PR1.2 trail to Pico Ruivo starts hereâthis is the easiest route to the summit.
Planning to hike to Pico Ruivo? The PR1.2 trail is 2.8km (1.7 miles) each way, taking approximately 1.5 hours to reach the summit. This is the most accessible route to Madeira's highest peak, with moderate difficulty and well-maintained paths. Always check our webcam for current weather conditions before starting your hikeâmountain weather changes rapidly and visibility can drop to zero.
Achada do Teixeira offers excellent facilities for hikers: free parking (spaces available even in afternoon), clean toilets, and the Abrigo da Heidi restaurant serving hot meals and drinks. The plateau is easily accessible by car via ER 218 road. This is the recommended starting point for Pico Ruivo, especially if the PR1 trail from Pico do Areeiro is closed.
Achada do Teixeira Information
- ⢠Elevation: 1,592 metres above sea level
- ⢠Located in Santana municipality
- ⢠Accessible by paved road (ER 218)
- ⢠Parking, toilets, restaurant available
- ⢠Famous 'Homem em PÊ' rock formation
- ⢠Starting point for PR1.2 trail to Pico Ruivo
đ Official Trail Status Source
Official Trail Status: Check the official IFCN (Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza) website for current trail status, closures, and recommendations: https://ifcn.madeira.gov.pt/pt/atividades-de-natureza/percursos-pedestres-recomendados/percursos-pedestres-recomendados.html. This is the authoritative source for all Madeira hiking trail information.
Check Official IFCN Trail Status âPractical Information
đ Parking
Parking: Free parking is available at Achada do Teixeira with good capacityâunlike Pico do Areeiro, spaces are usually available even in the afternoon. The parking area is well-maintained and located right at the trailhead. No parking fees or time restrictions.
đŞ Facilities
Facilities: Toilets are available on-site (may require small change). The Abrigo da Heidi restaurant offers hot meals, drinks, and snacksâperfect for post-hike refreshment. Opening hours vary by season, typically 9 AM to 6 PM. The restaurant is a great place to warm up after your hike, especially if weather turns cold.
𼞠PR1.2 Trail Information
PR1.2 Trail Details: Distance 2.8km each way (5.6km round trip), duration 1.5 hours to summit, 1 hour return. Difficulty: Moderateâeasier than the PR1 from Pico do Areeiro. The trail is well-maintained with handrails on exposed sections. Elevation gain: 270 metres from trailhead to summit. Suitable for most hikers with reasonable fitness. Less challenging than PR1, making it ideal for those who want to reach Pico Ruivo without the strenuous PR1 route. Always verify trail status with the official IFCN source before hiking.
đ¤ď¸ Weather Check
Weather Check: Always check our webcam before hiking. Mountain weather is unpredictableâconditions can change from clear to foggy within minutes. If visibility is poor at the trailhead, it will be worse at the summit. Strong winds are common and can make the exposed summit area dangerous. If weather looks questionable, consider postponing your hike.
đ What to Expect
What to Expect: The trail starts with a gentle ascent through Laurissilva forest, then becomes steeper as you approach the summit. You'll pass the iconic 'Homem em PĂŠ' rock formation near the start. The summit offers 360-degree panoramic viewsâon clear days you can see both coasts of Madeira. The trail is well-marked and maintained, with handrails on exposed sections. The return journey is easier (mostly downhill).
â ď¸ Safety Tips
Safety Tips: Wear sturdy hiking boots with good grip. Bring warm layersâtemperatures at the summit can be 10-15°C colder than at the trailhead. Carry sufficient water (at least 1L per person). The trail is exposed near the summitâuse caution in strong winds. If you encounter fog or poor visibility, turn backâthe views won't be worth the risk. Inform someone of your plans and expected return time.
Activities at Achada do Teixeira
Hiking to Pico Ruivo (PR1.2 Trail)
The PR1.2 trail is the most accessible route to Pico Ruivo (1,862m). Distance: 2.8km each way (5.6km round trip). Duration: 1.5 hours to summit, 1 hour return. Difficulty: Moderateâeasier than PR1 from Pico do Areeiro. Well-maintained path with handrails on exposed sections. Elevation gain: 270m. Always check weather conditions before startingâmountain weather changes rapidly.
Rock Formations & Views
Visit the iconic 'Homem em PĂŠ' basalt rock formation and enjoy panoramic views of Madeira's central mountain massif, including views towards the north and east coasts.
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Mountain Guide & Pico Ruivo Trail Information
Alpine Ecosystem & Endemic Species
The Pico Ruivo summit region (1,862m) hosts one of Europe's most unique alpine ecosystems. At this extreme elevation on a subtropical Atlantic island, plant and animal life displays extraordinary adaptation to challenging conditions: intense UV radiation, fierce Atlantic winds, rapid temperature fluctuations, and dramatic precipitation variations.
Laurissilva (ancient laurel forest) transitions to stunted, low-growing alpine vegetation above 1,600m. Endemic plant species like Madeira's heather, unique rockroses, and rare ferns survive through deep root systems, waxy protective coatings, and low growth profiles that minimize wind exposure.
Flora & Specialized Plant Adaptations
The Pico Ruivo summit hosts remarkable floral diversity despite harsh conditions. Madeira's endemic cushion plant (Azorina vidalii) forms dense, wind-resistant mats barely 5cm tall. Alpine roses, specific to this summit region, bloom with surprising vibrancy in spring, their low-profile growth reflecting centuries of adaptation to Atlantic alpine conditions.
Lichens and mosses carpet the rocky summit plateau, forming intricate biological communities that store water during dry seasons and provide microhabitats for numerous invertebrate species. These 'living stones' create ecological networks that support the alpine food chain despite the apparent barrenness of the rocky terrain.