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Madeira: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro & Hike Larano trail

Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Funchal, Portugal
Great choice
10+ bookings last month.
  • 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket

Why travelers loved this

4.8
·
· Simon_L ·
Oct 2025
A great option for a solo person (me), couple or even a group who don't have their own transport. Convenient pick up and drop off service, with helpful and interesting information from our friendly driver. 7 of us shared a mini-bus to visit Stairway as well as the excellent Loredo coastal walk.
· Heena_R ·
Mar 2026
Great experience. Ross is a lovely driver who was very professional. We didn't get to see sunrise due to the weather, but we were ware this could happen before we booked. The Larano hike was perfect, not too difficult and we were lucky ro get great weather. Ross gave us great directions to make sure we could easily find him at the end. I would recommend this excursion.

Overview

    What's Included

    • Hotel pick up and drop-off between Funchal and Caniço
    • ***PICK UP TIME SENT BY 8:30PM, DAY BEFORE ACTIVITY***
    • lunch and drinks
    • Admission Fee - PR1 "Stairs of Heaven" Optional HIKE - (€3 Fee On-Site)
      €3.00 per person
    • Private transportation
      Pickups outside Funchal

    Meeting and Pickup

    Pickup points

    Select a pickup point

    Pickup details

    Please for pickups outside Funchal add extra pick up fee.

    Operating hours
    .6:00 am

    Itinerary

    1

    Pico do Arieiro

    1 hour Admission Ticket Not Included

    2

    Miradouro do guindaste

    15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

    3

    Vereda Do Larano

    2 hours Admission Ticket Included

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • ***PICK UP TIME SENT BY 8:30PM, THE DAY BEFORE ACTIVITY***
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Reviews

    4.8
    based on 60 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Brilliant tour and nice coastal path hike!!!

    Craig_A, Mar 2026
    I went on this trip solo and this trip was so accommodating. The driver was full of knowledge and took time to answer any questions. He waited for us after we stopped for sunrise (the van was lovely and warm) - a lot of other drivers of other tours didnt wait so this is why you should book this one. The time at each stop was reasonable, there was plenty of time to capture pictures, ask questions and enjoy each location. The hike was awesome, socialised with others on the tour while we all soaked in the beauty of Madeira. I would 100% recommend this excursion with your trip to Madeira to make it an awesome holiday :) - Craig

    Excellent trip, would recommend

    Heena_R, Mar 2026
    Great experience. Ross is a lovely driver who was very professional. We didn't get to see sunrise due to the weather, but we were ware this could happen before we booked. The Larano hike was perfect, not too difficult and we were lucky ro get great weather. Ross gave us great directions to make sure we could easily find him at the end. I would recommend this excursion.

    This excursion really...

    Anzhela_T, Feb 2026
    This excursion really shows how beautiful Madeira is; it's worth the money. Despite the strong wind and rain, we reached the mountain and saw the sunrise. We drank delicious coffee at a local bar, relaxed, and had a snack with a wonderful view.

    This over renting a car any day!

    Anna_F, Dec 2025
    So glad I didn’t rent a car and booked this tour instead. The inclines are no joke, but our driver made them look like child’s play. The sunrise was amazing, and the hike afterwards was great as well. The sea platform was underwhelming, especially because the glass floor is hard to see through. It’s important to note that the driver stays in the van the whole time so the hikes are not guided. Might be something to consider for solo travelers though the hiking routes were well maintained and visited.

    Nice experience; small...

    Sofia_L, Oct 2025
    Nice experience; small group and lovely hike with great views. The guide was helpful and the instructions were clear

    Convenient and fairly priced transport option.

    Simon_L, Oct 2025
    A great option for a solo person (me), couple or even a group who don't have their own transport. Convenient pick up and drop off service, with helpful and interesting information from our friendly driver. 7 of us shared a mini-bus to visit Stairway as well as the excellent Loredo coastal walk.

    Recommend as really nice experience

    Dmitrij_v, May 2025
    At first it was slightly disappointing because the route from pick to pick been not available due to previous heavy fires and sunrise not get seen because of very heavy clouds, but our guide man Rosbert been a top guy and get us on another trail with a beautiful ocean views and filled the trip with lots of information about Madeira and it's history. So he was the person who make this trip absolutely enjoying and interesting. Our big thanks to him and best wishes.

    Although the Stairway to...

    Maggie_M, May 2025
    Although the Stairway to Heaven trail was partially closed due to recent weather, our guide was ready with another guided hike for us to enjoy. We still enjoyed the hike to Pico Arieiro. Along the way to the next hiking destination, we were given informative details about the Island’s history, nature and landscape. Our guide even stopped for coffee and snacks for the group.

    Easy self guided hike transfers

    Neil_T, Oct 2024
    Good communication of pick-up arrangements. Comfortable vehicle and friendly driver. The Pico to Pico path is currently (Oct 2024) closed due to the August wildfires so after sunrise we did a self guided hike on the north coast instead.

    Awesome trip

    Wioletta_J, Oct 2024
    This trip was out of our expectations, despite limited hike posibility due to goverment decision to close the road, we were given even more thrilling alternative, that we have not heard about but was beyond beautiful and we would not have seen it alone. Ros was a perfect, dedicated and engaged guide and shared really nice things about the Island or Daily life. Highly recommended.

    Stunning

    A_F, Jul 2024
    What a beautiful walk. The sights were glorious and we were driven up there in plenty of time to see the sunrise. The hotel transfer was efficient and on time.

    Beautiful and surprisingly cold

    Jakub_N, Mar 2024
    The sunrise was spectacular, we arrived about 15 minutes early to find a perfect spot for some great pictures. After that we hit the trail and walked with a rising sun. Pico Ruivo was in clouds with 3°C and condensing fog so I was very glad for a jacket, gloves, hat and even sweatshirt up there. But in the end it has left some unforgivable memories and I would recommend it to anyone.

    This hike is a must do, bring cab fare cuz you just never know.

    Elizabeth_K, Dec 2023
    The views are incredible. The trail is as advertised, difficult with lots of steep stairs and slippery places. Also be prepared to pay for a taxi in case something happens to you on the trail as the shuttle doesn’t wait past 2pm. They refused to offer a partial refund for not being able to get there in time.

    Response from Host, Mar 2025

    We waited for you for two hours after the estimated arrival time of 2 PM. Every time we called, you repeatedly lied, saying you were five minutes away from finishing or just ten meters away. You manipulated everyone around you. When we asked you to share your location, you refused because you were still far from completing the trail. Knowing that this trail is not suitable for people with medical conditions, you ignored the warnings and only mentioned on the day of the activity that you suffered from arthritis and other health issues—something that should have been disclosed before booking. Even so, we were patient and gave you an extra two hours of waiting time. You agreed that we should call a taxi , and the taxi driver told us that you only finished the hike at 6 PM. If you had been honest from the beginning, we could have offered you alternatives more suited to your physical condition.

    Amazing hike that is surprisingly accessible

    Sergio_C, Oct 2023
    It was very convenient to have someone take care of the driving part, so I could only focus on the hike. The hike is astonishing and starting with the sunrise makes it even more special. Though it's a demanding hike, it's still accessible to a great audience that has a general fitness level. I also made a friend during the car commute so I take that as a plus.

    An excellent day and hike

    ThereseMcCallum, Oct 2023
    Rosbert was on time and his instructions were very clear. Although one of the other bookings failed to show up he still got us to the sunrise on time, and again gave clear instructions throughout the day until pickup. As a bonus he was very engaging and provided interesting insight into living on Madeira and its history. A great day, would highly recommend!

    Amazing

    Sonia_S, Oct 2023
    It was tiring but amazing! You can see a wonderful sunset and then start the hike. It’s a bit hard at some point but doable. I recommend this experience

    Cool

    Lorenzo_P, Sep 2023
    Cool, nice trasport and kind person like Rosbert and his wife and their beautiful daughter. Thank you

    Pico sunrise walk

    James_H, Sep 2023
    It’s the hardest walk I have ever done but worth the trip. The sunrise was unbelievable but the walk was very hard but worth it

    Great experience

    Olivia_B, Sep 2023
    Rosbert was a brilliant guide who gave some great advice for local attractions. The hike drop off gets you there for sunrise, and I would recommend layers to watch the sunrise it can get quite cold. Even though it was overcast it was still worth going on the hike- but I’d bring a raincoat. Brilliant experience!

    Pico Ruivo

    Emily_B, Sep 2023
    The best way to go and visit the mountains, stress free of parking and worrying about taxis. Dropped off at the start and collected at the end. Rosbert Was great and gave good instructions for the route / WhatsApp group beforehand. Highly recommend this and the hike!

    Exquisite and exhilarating.

    Andrea_M, Sep 2023
    Fabulous experience. The sunrise was exquisite and the experience exhilarating. It’s a challenging climb from one peak to the other, but a great achievement in the end.

    Departure of 2:48pm instead 2pm…

    Diego_d, Aug 2023
    We arrived there on time but on the way back we had a very unpleasant experience! In the morning the driver clearly mentioned to us and another couple that since we were starting at sun rise even if we were very slow we would be done around 1pm and worse scenario at 2pm max we would leave. We finished the hiking around 11:30am and we waited patiently for the first hours at the restaurant enjoying the surround. But to our surprise, the WhatsApp group that suppose to arrange the way back was joined by other people and now we would not just wait the people that went in the morning but also these new people. So at this point we had already assumed that we would not leave at 1pm despite everyone that was in the minivan from Funchal already there waiting for the driver. But to our surprise we also wouldn’t leave at 2pm… The driver was late and we actually left at 14:48pm. In the end we waited for more than 3 hours… communication could have been better and clear about the departure time and the driver could have arrived on time instead of have taken another service to do. Tip for travelers: check other company which offer cheaper price than this one, ask clear about the departure time and if extra people will join the transfer that hasn’t left Funchal in the morning.

    Response from Host, Aug 2023

    Dear Diego, Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent experience with us. We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences you faced during the return journey of the tour. We understand your frustration with the timing and the unexpected addition of other individuals to the return trip. We'd like to clarify that our tours are not PRIVATE, and the pace of each group can vary. While the estimated completion time was given in the morning, factors such as the hiking pace and overall group dynamics can influence the actual finishing time. For future travelers, we recommend inquiring about departure times and the possibility of additional passengers joining the return trip. We understand that different travelers have distinct preferences and expectations, and we are working to provide a more transparent and efficient service. Once again, we apologize for any frustration you experienced and appreciate your understanding. If you have any further concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. Warm regards, Rosbert

    Amazing!!!

    PaulalvarezRodrguez, Aug 2023
    The guide is really nice and everything was perfect. This hiking is not for pepple who do not have an active lifestyle, as it requires good cardio training. Alternatively, you may walk slow and take your time in order to complete it. Come well prepared (with proper hiking shoes and equipment) and just enjoy the amazing sighseeing. I would strongly recommend this company and guide!!

    Pico Ruivo⛰️

    Daniel_v, Aug 2023
    Wow, what an expercience this was! I went together with my girlfriend and this is definitely something you must do in Madeira! We were both not expercience hikers but made it to the top, it was very hard but totally worth every step. Our transfer guide Rosbert contacted us a day before the hike to inform us about the transfer, this was very handy. In the morning Rosbert picked us up with his van and told us on the way to Pico Arieiro al the ins and outs of the hike, he was very kind and social! When we arrived we enjoyed the sunrise in full glory, something we won’t never forget. We started our hike at 8:00 and finished and arrived at Teixeira at 13:00! We were added to a Whatsapp group to communicate about our hike status so they could pick us up at the right time. In short, we definitley recommend booking a hike via Rosbert, totally worth it!

    Loved it

    Laura_G, Jul 2023
    The ride to the hike was very pleasant with the driver Rosbert! He was very nice. Sadly, there was no sunrise due to the weather. However, we really enjoyed the hike!

    Response from Host, Jul 2023

    Dear Laura, Thank you! Despite the lack of a sunrise due to the weather, it's great to know that you still enjoyed the hike. Thank you for sharing your review with us, and I hope you have more exciting adventures in the future! If you need any recommendations for other outdoor activities, feel free to reach out. Have a wonderful day!

    Great tour

    sharon_s, Apr 2023
    Such a lovely day out, amazing views finished with lovely Madeira wine definitely recommend. The tour guide was lovely and so knowledgeable.

    Trop de brouillard pour...

    Mariefrance_G, Sep 2024
    Trop de brouillard pour voir quoi que ce soit. En plus, rejoindre le Pico Ruivo était impossible (.décision gouvernementale) Par chance, nous avions un guide merveilleux qui a su nous proposer 2 autres randonnées au choix. Merci Rosbert

    Esperienza bellissima....

    Jerzy_S, Sep 2023
    Esperienza bellissima. Tocca andarci un po’ preparati ma andando con calma si arriva alla fine. Consiglio a tutti

    Geen zon, tocht prachtig!

    Teus_E, Jul 2023
    Het weer zat helaas niet mee, we hebben regen gehad en het was erg mistig. Dit was ook de weersvoorspelling, helaas was een andere dag geen mogelijkheid meer voor ons. Toch mochten we de zonsopkomst zien. De wandeltocht was ondanks de mist alsnog een hele mooie beleving. Een echte aanrader! Waarbij Rosbert een fijne taxichauffeur was. De route wandel je zelfstandig, maar maakt het met de groep waarin je loopt enorm gezellig.

    Response from Host, Jul 2023

    Hoewel het weer geen zonsopkomst toeliet, is het geweldig om te horen dat je toch van de wandeling genoten hebt. Bedankt dat je de tijd hebt genomen om je review met ons te delen.

    Magnifique découverte

    Christine_P, Nov 2022
    Un grand merci à Rafael pour cette visite en mode VIP. Les panoramas sont magnifiques et j’ai pu découvrir le délicieux vin de Madère dans un cadre parfait Je recommande cette excursion à 100 %

    From $47.68

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 15 days in advance.

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