La Palma’s Roque de los Muchachos was cool, but now I’m all about Pico Ruivo in Madeira, Portugal. This peak is the island’s highest, with ultra-prominence and nearly 450 km of isolation. It’s clearly captured my interest. After a bumpy landing, a good dinner, and a comfortable night’s sleep, I had a hearty breakfast before heading to the Pico Ruivo east parking lot. It’s about a 45-minute drive along small, winding roads from Santa Cruz.
There are a few cars in the parking lot, but it’s not crowded. I change into my hiking shoes and start heading up the trail. I’m the only one wearing shorts and a T-shirt—it’s about 10 degrees Celsius, and I’m moving, so it feels fine. I don’t understand why some folks are bundled up in winter clothes, with hats, scarves, and gloves. It’s not like we’re trekking through a blizzard.
The trail is gradual and paved— even better maintained than the one at Jiri-san. I count climbers in tens: ten, twenty, thirty. I probably passed 200 people on the trail. There are a few small descents and ascents, but I finally reach the hut. I keep walking, and ten minutes later, I’m at the summit.
It’s hard to take a photo without other people getting in the frame, but I finally manage to get a clear shot. After a quick detour to some scenic viewpoints, I head back down the same path I took to the summit. But then, at coordinates 32.76137, -16.93472, I spot a trail that leads to the Pico Ruivo East Summit. Given that it’s a new path to explore, of course, I decide to check it out.
After the surprise of Pico Ruivo East Summit, I head back to the parking lot. Pico Ruivo was my last Spanish-Portuguese ultra-prominent peak, which feels like a milestone. But I’m not done yet. My next goal is to visit one of the few remaining Portuguese P600 peaks—Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra. However, before I get there, I have another unexpected detour in mind—Pico do Remal.
