Start: Achada do  Teixeira 
Finish: Achada do  Teixeira 
Time: 1h30     Distance: 5,6 km  
Beginning at Achada do Teixeira this trail climbs up to the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1861m). Next to the Pico Ruivo government house you can gain access to 3 other trails that take the hiker to different parts of the island: PR 1 – Pico do Areeiro footpath (5,1/6,4 Km), which takes you to Pico do Areeiro, the island’s 2nd highest peak (1816m); PR 1.3 – Encumeada Footpath (8.6 Km), goes along the central mountain range to the West; and PR 1.1- Ilha Footpath (8.2 Km), which descends to the parish of Ilha. Along the climb you will come across several shelters as the change in climate is at times sudden and the area often becomes covered in a sea of clouds or rests above it. 
This area is part of the European network of important areas –“ Natura 2000” – and is known as “the central mountain massif”. It ranges from the highest peaks to 1200m above sea level and is characterised by herbaceous and bush vegetation that is well-adapted to widely fluctuating temperatures , heavy rains and strong winds. This is also where you will find many different types of heather (Erica scoparia ssp maderensis and Erica aborea) being amongst those to be found, many years ago these were used in the production of charcoal. 
The trail climbs along the ridge that separates the cliffs of Faial and those of Santana, and in doing so allows for an excellent vista to the left of the Ribeira Seca valley, topped by Pico das Torres, and Pico do Areeiro in the background. On the right-hand side the “gables” of the Santana mountain range are visible, in the distance you can see the Queimadas Forest Park and further afield – Achada do Marques (a small hamlet known for its straw lofts and traditional fields), which appears in the centre of the Ribeira dos Arcos valley. Towards the interior we can see the Ribeira Grande valley which begins at the “mouths” of Caldeirão Verde and Caldeirão do Inferno. When visibility is good to the East you can also see the rocky outcrop of Penha d’Águia, the Funduras mountain range as well as part of the S. Lourenço Point (far eastern part of Madeira island). 
At Achada do Teixeira, after passing the government house, you will find “walking down” the cliff the “Standing Man” (“Homem em pé”), a basalt formation.