Sunset at Pico do Arieiro with Optional Stairway to Heaven Hike
Overview
Watch the sunset from Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak, at 1,818 metres above sea level. Enjoy the changing colours above the clouds and surrounding mountains in a shared small-group experience.
SUNSET STAIRWAY + MEETING POINT
Lower-cost option with pickup and drop-off from one of 5 fixed meeting points across Funchal and Garajau.
SUNSET STAIRWAY + HOTEL PICKUP
Includes pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in Funchal and Caniço. At checkout, select “I’ll decide later” and add your hotel name/address in Special Requirements.
Both options include the same sunset experience and the optional self-guided Stairway to Heaven walk of around 2.4 km round trip, subject to trail access and conditions.
Sunset views depend on weather and visibility and cannot be guaranteed. If Pico do Arieiro conditions are unsuitable, another appropriate viewpoint may be used. Warm clothing and suitable footwear are recommended.
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation
- Pickup/drop-off according to the option selected
- Driver / local host
- Shared sunset experience at Pico do Arieiro
- Optional self-guided Stairway to Heaven walk, subject to trail access and conditions
- Official trail/access fees, if applicable-
- Hotel pickup when the Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point option is selected
- Pickup and drop-off outside Funchal and Caniço
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Pico do Arieiro
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
20 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Miradouro Pedra Rija
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Funchal
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point: pickup and drop-off from one of 5 fixed meeting points across Funchal and Garajau.
- Sunset Stairway + Hotel Pickup: pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in Funchal and Caniço. For hotel pickup, select “I’ll decide later” at checkout and enter your hotel name and address in Special Requirements.
- Mountain weather can change quickly, and clear views, sunset colours or visibility cannot be guaranteed. The tour normally operates when access is open and conditions are safe. If conditions at Pico do Arieiro are not favourable, an alternative viewpoint such as Palheiro or another suitable location may be used.
- Weather, limited visibility, or use of an alternative viewpoint do not automatically qualify for a refund if the main tour operates.
- The optional Stairway to Heaven walk is self-guided and subject to official access, trail conditions, weather and availability on the day. Any required official trail/access fees are not included.
- This walk is not guaranteed and is not required in order to enjoy the sunset visit. Inability to complete the optional walk does not automatically qualify for a refund if the main tour operates.
- Return departure is normally around 30 minutes after sunset. If you choose the optional self-guided walk, the recommended turnaround point is the Stairway to Heaven / Miradouro da Pedra Rija viewpoint. Please do not continue further along the trail, as this may make it impossible to return to the vehicle on time.
- If you realise you may be late, please contact the driver or our team immediately by phone or message. The vehicle cannot wait indefinitely for late guests, as this would affect other travellers. Guests who are not back at the agreed return time may need to arrange their own return.
- Please bring warm clothing and suitable footwear. Mountain temperatures can be much lower than in Funchal.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Sunset at Pico do Arieiro with Optional Stairway to Heaven Hike?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-340292P5
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.57 out of 5 stars based on 89 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (WET).
- Round-trip transportation.
- Pickup/drop-off according to the option selected.
- Driver / local host.
- Shared sunset experience at Pico do Arieiro.
- Optional self-guided Stairway to Heaven walk, subject to trail access and conditions.
- Official trail/access fees, if applicable-.
- Hotel pickup when the Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point option is selected.
- Pickup and drop-off outside Funchal and Caniço.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Sunset at Pico do Arieiro with Optional Stairway to Heaven Hike is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Sunset at Pico do Arieiro with Optional Stairway to Heaven Hike will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Round-trip transportation
- Pickup/drop-off according to the option selected
- Driver / local host
- Shared sunset experience at Pico do Arieiro
- Optional self-guided Stairway to Heaven walk, subject to trail access and conditions
- Official trail/access fees, if applicable-
- Hotel pickup when the Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point option is selected
- Pickup and drop-off outside Funchal and Caniço
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Sunset Stairway + Meeting Point: pickup and drop-off from one of 5 fixed meeting points across Funchal and Garajau.
- Sunset Stairway + Hotel Pickup: pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in Funchal and Caniço. For hotel pickup, select “I’ll decide later” at checkout and enter your hotel name and address in Special Requirements.
- Mountain weather can change quickly, and clear views, sunset colours or visibility cannot be guaranteed. The tour normally operates when access is open and conditions are safe. If conditions at Pico do Arieiro are not favourable, an alternative viewpoint such as Palheiro or another suitable location may be used.
- Weather, limited visibility, or use of an alternative viewpoint do not automatically qualify for a refund if the main tour operates.
- The optional Stairway to Heaven walk is self-guided and subject to official access, trail conditions, weather and availability on the day. Any required official trail/access fees are not included.
- This walk is not guaranteed and is not required in order to enjoy the sunset visit. Inability to complete the optional walk does not automatically qualify for a refund if the main tour operates.
- Return departure is normally around 30 minutes after sunset. If you choose the optional self-guided walk, the recommended turnaround point is the Stairway to Heaven / Miradouro da Pedra Rija viewpoint. Please do not continue further along the trail, as this may make it impossible to return to the vehicle on time.
- If you realise you may be late, please contact the driver or our team immediately by phone or message. The vehicle cannot wait indefinitely for late guests, as this would affect other travellers. Guests who are not back at the agreed return time may need to arrange their own return.
- Please bring warm clothing and suitable footwear. Mountain temperatures can be much lower than in Funchal.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
