To actually stand on the staircase — not just see the summit — you walk the PR1 trail. It’s ~1.2 km from the car park, moderate but exposed, and in 2026 it needs a paid permit. Here are the guided hikes that reach it, and exactly what’s involved.
The staircase sits about 1.2 km (20–30 minutes) along the PR1 "Vereda do Areeiro" from the car park, on an exposed ridge between the Ninho da Manta and Pedra Rija viewpoints. The walk is moderate but the drop-offs are real — railings and ropes line the steps. Proper footwear is essential.
In 2026 the trail needs a paid SIMplifica permit (about €4.50 for the short Areeiro–Pedra Rija section that includes the staircase) and a timed slot. Because the trail opens after sunrise, this is best done as a daytime hike — the magical "stairs at sunrise" shot is largely off the table under the current rules.
Four operators actually walk you to the staircase. The cheapest guided option is Madeira Adventure Kingdom; the cheapest overall is Beyond Madeira’s self-guided transfer.
The best value to the stairs — a guided "Stairway to Heaven" hike, ICA-certified guides, ~7 km. Reaches the staircase; the ~€4.50 trail fee is paid separately.
Long-running, hugely-reviewed. The "Between Heaven and Earth" sunrise hike does the full Areeiro→Ruivo traverse past the staircase. States a certified guide but no licence number on-site; trail fee excluded.
Certified mountain guide Paulo Jesus runs the well-reviewed small-group "Sunrise Guided Hike PR1" (full traverse). Sold via Viator ("Madeira Outdoors" is the supplier label).
A licensed agency; its self-guided sunrise PR1 transfer (from €33, permit handled) is the cheapest way onto the trail. Guided Sunrise & Balcões €50; private €160. Reseller, not the on-trail operator.
Prices are starting adult fares (June 2026) and change seasonally; confirm at booking. ✓ = tourism licence verified on the operator's own site; "agency" = an RNAVT travel-agency reselling a partner-run tour.
The full comparison — what each reaches, price, licence and rating.
Open the tour comparison →The PR1 trail reopened in phases in 2026 after the 2024 wildfire — weekends-only (Fri–Sun) from 27 April, with full daily opening targeted for late June 2026. You need a SIMplifica permit (~€4.50 short / €10.50 full); under-12s and residents are exempt but still reserve a slot. Don’t cross closure gates — fines are reported up to €2,500. Full detail on the access section.
Treat the staircase as a daytime hike with a permit, not a sunrise trip — in 2026 the trail opens after sunrise. Confirm the current status and hours on SIMplifica before you plan.
Reaching the staircase from the car park is ~1.2 km / 20–30 minutes, moderate but on an exposed, railing-lined ridge — proper shoes essential. The full PR1 traverse to Pico Ruivo is a hard 7–8 hour mountain hike.
Yes — the PR1 trail needs a paid SIMplifica permit in 2026: about €4.50 for the short section that includes the staircase, or €10.50 for the full traverse. Under-12s and Madeira residents are exempt but still reserve a slot.
In 2026, probably not legally — the trail’s earliest entry slots are after summer sunrise. You can watch sunrise free from the summit viewpoint, then hike the staircase in daylight.
Madeira Adventure Kingdom (€47), Up Mountain Madeira, Madeira Local Guide (Paulo Jesus) and Beyond Madeira’s self-guided transfer all reach the staircase. Jeep sunrise tours do not.