Pico Ruivo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pico Ruivo |
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Pico Ruivo in Madeira island.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,862 m (6,109 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,862 m (6,109 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Madeira |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | From Achada do Teixeira. |
Pico Ruivo, which means "red peak" in Portuguese, is the highest point on the beautiful island of Madeira. It stands tall at 1,862 m (6,109 ft) (about 6,109 feet). This makes it the third highest peak in all of Portugal! The only two mountains taller are Mount Pico in the Azores and Torre on mainland Portugal.
Pico Ruivo is located in the central mountain range of Madeira. It's part of the municipality of Santana. In this same area, you'll find other impressive mountains. These include Pico das Torres, which is 1,850 m (6,070 ft) high, and Pico do Arieiro, standing at 1,818 m (5,965 ft).
Contents
Plants: Life on the Rocks
Even though Pico Ruivo isn't super high, its top is very rocky. This means that only special plants can grow there. These plants are tough enough to live on or between the rocks.
There are two main kinds of plants you'll see. One type includes heather plants, which are common all over the island. The other type has just a few herbaceous plants, which are like soft, green plants without woody stems. What's cool is that you can find small shrubs and even heather trees at this altitude!
Wildlife: Animals of Pico Ruivo
Pico Ruivo is home to several interesting birds. You might spot a common blackbird or a chaffinch. The tiny Madeira firecrest also lives here. If you're lucky, you could see a red-legged partridge or a common linnet, as they both build their nests on Pico Ruivo.
Not long ago, farmers used the slopes of Pico Ruivo to raise goats, sheep, and cows. However, to protect the amazing plants and birds in the area, like the rare freira-da-madeira bird, this practice was stopped. Now, the whole area around the peak is recovering and becoming a safe home for its unique wildlife.
Hiking Adventures
You can only reach the very top of Pico Ruivo by walking! It's a great adventure for hikers. Here are the main ways to get there:
- From Achada do Texeira (which is to the north-east, at 1,592 meters high), you can follow a clear trail.
- From Pico do Arieiro (to the south-east), which is the island's third highest mountain. This path is about 10 km (6.2 mi) long and offers amazing views.
- From the west, especially starting from a place called Curral das Freiras.
Images for kids
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The platform at the summit of Pico Ruivo.
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A shelter located just below the summit.
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The summit as seen from the viewing platform in the northwest.
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Another viewing platform, located northwest from the main summit.
See also
In Spanish: Pico Ruivo para niños
