Bus To Pico do Areeiro from 5th August

30th August, 2024: This service, which was suspended owing to ongoing fires, will resume on 2nd September. However, the majority of the PR1 trail at Pico do Areeiro will remain closed.

Following much consternation about the increasing traffic and demand for parking at Pico do Areeiro, a new, scheduled bus service is being launched from 5th August.

Horários do Funchal will be operating two return services per day from Funchal and also a shuttle service between Pico do Areeiro and the Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António.

Summer departures from Funchal are presently timetabled as follows:

06:00 | 13:30 – Praça da Autonomia - stop Rua 31 Janeiro S (9);
06:02 | 13:32 – Jardim Santa Luzia;
06:10 | 13:40 – Monte - Largo da Fonte;
06:11 | 13:41 – Entrada Corujeira de Dentro;
06:15 | 13:45 – Terreiro da Luta;
06:23 | 13:53 – Portão Norte da Herdade do Chão da Lagoa;
06:27 | 13:57 – Poiso;
06:35 | 14:05 – Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António;
06:40 | 14:10 – Car park, Pico do Areeiro;
06:45 | 14:15 – Pico do Areeiro - roundabout by Radar.

The reverse journeys are:

12:15 | 19:00 – Pico do Areeiro - roundabout by Radar;
12:20 | 19:05 – Car park, Pico do Areeiro;
12:25 | 19:10 – Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António;
12:33 | 19:18 – Poiso;
12:37 | 19:22 – Portão Norte da Herdade do Chão da Lagoa;
12:45 | 19:30 – Terreiro da Luta;
12:49 | 19:34 – Entrada Corujeira de Dentro;
12:50 | 19:35 – Monte - Largo da Fonte;
12:58 | 19:43 – Car park, Santa Luzia;
13:00 | 19:45 – Praça da Autonomia - stop Rua 31 Janeiro S (9).

Each journey costs 3 euros and tickets must be bought on board - no other tickets or passes are valid. Reservations can be made between 2 and 7 days in advance by telephoning 291 705 555 between 08:30 and 12:30 and between 14:30 and 18:00 (17:00 on Saturday) from Monday to Saturday. Reservations can only be made for journeys starting at Praça da Autonomia or Pico do Areeiro and passengers with reservations must present themselves 15 minutes before the time of departure or risk losing their seat - only 31 will be available on each journey and no standing will be permitted.

The shuttle service between  Caminho Florestal das Serras de Santo António and Pico do Areeiro will operate every 15 minutes (subject to a minimum of 4 passengers) during the hours of 06:40 to 12:15 and 14:10 to 19:00. Standing will be permitted on this service.

An information poster is available here.