The present invention is directed to improvements in a perpendicular magnetic recording-reproducing head. One of the improvements comprises the use of a magneto-resistive effect element to form the main pole of the magnetic head. This feature of the invention enables a stable and faithful reproduction of information recorded in a magnetic recording medium up to the shortest wavelength and to obtain a sufficiently large reproducing output signal. Another improvement comprises the use of such magneto-resistive effect elements in layers. The multilayer structure permits production of a large reproducing output and also an optimum S/N ratio even if the width of track is small.