Madeira.Vacations

Ninho da Manta

The buzzard's nest — fifteen minutes along the trail from Pico do Arieiro.

Railed viewpoint balcony on a knife-edge ridge in Madeira's central mountains
Photo: José Lemos Silva · CC BY-SA 4.0

A railed balcony on the PR1 trail, reached by an easy fifteen-minute walk from the Arieiro car park. It gives you the ridge-line drama of the high hike without committing to the whole thing.

The short version of the big hike

From the Arieiro summit the path is paved and stepped, dropping gently along the ridge. After about 700 m you reach the balcony, which looks down into the Fajã da Nogueira valley with buzzards riding the updraught below you.

Turn round here and you have had the best of the view for a fraction of the effort. Continue and you are committed to a serious mountain route.

Local tips

  • — Do it as an add-on to sunrise at Arieiro rather than a separate trip.

Guided trips here

Bookable tours that include or focus on this spot.

  • Hikers on a Madeiran mountain ridge above a sea of clouds at sunrise
    7.5 hours Pico do Arieiro

    Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hike

    Pre-dawn pickup for the ridge walk from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, above a sea of cloud. Demanding, unforgettable, with transport arranged both ways.

    from €50

    Check availability
  • Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day in Madeira
    8 hours Madeira 4.9(913)

    Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day

    On this Jeep tour we have everything; Sea, Mountains, Waterfalls and Natural Pools.

    from €65

    Check availability
  • Real Life, Mountains & Sea Cliffs + Lunch + Levada walk - 6 hours in Madeira
    6 hours Madeira 5.0(72)

    Real Life, Mountains & Sea Cliffs + Lunch + Levada walk - 6 hours

    My full-day tour around the center of the island was designed for people who would like to feel the “Island daily life” and see the REAL Madeira while immersing in the local culture.

    from €385

    Check availability
  • Porto Moniz - Private Full-Day - Safari 4x4 Tour - NorthWest in Madeira
    8 hours Porto Moniz 5.0(61)

    Porto Moniz - Private Full-Day - Safari 4x4 Tour - NorthWest

    The West tour takes you to the lush northwest, full of cliffs, valleys, forests, mountains, waterfalls and cows! Always far from the beaten track. So many experiences, in just one day.

    from €436

    Check availability
  • Private Full-Day - Comfort 4x4 Tour - NorthWest in Madeira
    8 hours Madeira 5.0(30)

    Private Full-Day - Comfort 4x4 Tour - NorthWest

    The West tour takes you to the lush northwest, full of cliffs, valleys, forests, mountains, waterfalls and cows! So many experiences, in just one day: Ancient roads, Levada or walk at Fanal Forest, Swimming and Incredible landscap…

    from €425

    Check availability
  • Madeira PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self Guided Santana in Madeira
    8 hours Santana 5.0(26)

    Madeira PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self Guided Santana

    Step into a world of misty mountains, moss-covered paths, and ancient greenery on the unforgettable Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk.

    from €28

    Check availability

Stay nearby

Where to base yourself for this part of the island.

Nearby

Within a short drive, so they combine into one day.

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