PR1 Permits Sold Out? Alternative Madeira Trails
If PR1 (Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, the "Stairway to Heaven") has no permits for your dates, several other trails offer big views or an iconic Madeira walk and often still have slots.
PR1 is the most sought-after permit on the island, so it is normal for it to fill first. The good news is that Madeira has several distinct trail experiences, so an alternative is rarely a downgrade, just a different landscape.
For high-mountain scenery, PR1.2 (Vereda do Pico Ruivo) reaches the same summit by a shorter, less exposed route. For wide ocean panoramas, PR8 (Ponta de Sao Lourenco) is completely different terrain. For the classic Madeira levada experience, PR9 (Caldeirao Verde) and PR6 (25 Fontes) are iconic and often more available.
Live availability for each alternative is shown below. Pressure reflects current scarcity, so a trail marked low or moderate is usually the quickest to book.
Current availability
- PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivolow (2.9), earliest Tue 25 Aug, open 6/7 daysThe shortest way to Madeira's highest summit (1,862 m). A steady paved climb from Achada do Teixeira, far less exposed than the Areeiro ridge.
- PR8 Vereda da Ponta de Sao Lourencohigh (7.6), earliest Sat 29 Aug, open 2/7 daysOpen, treeless coastal ridges on the far east tip. Wide ocean panoramas the whole way, and a completely different landscape to the central peaks.
- PR9 Levada do Caldeirao Verdelow (3.2), earliest Tue 25 Aug, open 6/7 daysLaurel forest, tunnels and a waterfall amphitheatre. An iconic levada walk when the high peaks are clouded in.
- PR6 Levada das 25 Fonteshigh (7.9), earliest Sun 30 Aug, open 1/7 daysThe classic Rabacal waterfalls walk. Popular and scenic, and often has availability when the summit trails do not.
Last checked 24 Aug, 20:30 (Madeira local time). Availability is a careful estimate from the official Simplifica system, not an exact spot count. Data and methodology.
Check open slots and reserve on madeira.fun