Hiking on the Island of Madeira, Portugal, III (4K)

Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain on the island of Madeira is with 1861m (6105 ft.) also the third highest point in all of Portugal. An easy hike on a well maintained footpath leads to the summit, offering spectacular 360 degree views. Subsequently, the footpath leading to the second highest peak, Pico do Arieiro, was hiked to the halfway point after wich I decided to head back to the parking lot at Achada do Teixeira..
Trail# PR 1.2. Parking Area at Achada do Teixeira (Mountain Spot Cafe) at the end of paved road and beginning of the hiking trail at 1580m altitude. PR 1.2 is also the shortest hike to the summit of Pico Ruivo - the distance from the parking area to summit is less than 3 km and the walk to the summit takes roughly 2 hours. Since the mountain is exposed in all directions it can, at times, be extremely windy (and cold) in the summit region.