PR 1.2 · Vereda do Pico Ruivo

The whole central range above 1,400 m, about 8,200 hectares classified a Natural Monument. Two blocks make it up: to the east the island's highest peaks, Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) and Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m); to the west the high points of Paul da Serra, Pico Ruivo do Paul (1,640 m) and Bica da Cana (1,620 m). The ragged relief comes from the differential erosion of water on pyroclastic rock. It is also a geological and high-altitude vegetation reserve, and the only known nesting place of Zino's petrel.

The highest point of the archipelago, 1,862 m, Portugal's third-highest summit, and the island's widest panorama: the Curral das Freiras valley and Câmara de Lobos, the villages of Santana, the Ribeira Grande and Ribeira de São Jorge valleys, Ponta de São Lourenço, Paul da Serra and, with good visibility, Porto Santo and the Desertas. It is reached only on foot, by PR 1 from Pico do Areeiro (one-way from Pedra Rija, €10.50 ticket) or by PR 1.2 from Achada do Teixeira (2.8 km, €4.50) — SIMplifica booking compulsory in both cases. High-altitude heath and monumental rock formations that often pierce the cloud layer; it is also the nesting ground of Zino's petrel. The lookout itself has no fee.

On the road climbing to Achada do Teixeira, just past Picarouto, at the forks of the Santana mountains. The view runs along much of the east coast, from the parish of São Jorge to Ponta de São Lourenço, the island's eastern tip; on clear days Porto Santo shows up to the north-east. The access road is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Inside the Pico das Pedras Forest Park, on the Estrada Regional 218 linking the city of Santana to the Achada do Teixeira plateau. The panorama stretches from São Jorge to Ponta de São Lourenço, with Penha d'Águia (about 600 m) marking the boundary between Santana and Machico; on the other side stands the central mountain massif, part of the Region's Network of Natural Monuments. The road is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.