Are you looking for some inspiration to discover some of the wilder spots in Madeira? Read on for a comprehensive guide to hiking in Madeira Portugal, everything you need to know about booking a hiking trip and our 7 favorite Madeira hiking trails.
Tip: See our Madeira Travel Page for a complete overview of all our travel guides about Madeira!
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Madeira experiences & travel resources
Top outdoor experiences
- Sunrise hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
- Walking Tours in Madeira
- Whale watching & Sunset sailing tour
- Canyoning Adventures in Madeira
Madeira Travel Resources
Why hiking in Madeira Portugal?
Madeira’s skyline of vibrant jagged peaks and its web of walking paths makes the island a hiker’s dream destination. From calm coastal rambles to challenging mountain scrambles, there are routes for every walker.
The island’s trails are clearly established and widely available on navigation maps. This energized me to create routes that linked the heavily-trodden tourist ones to peaceful wild paths.
The island’s features also provide endless activities to pack your day with. You can hike high up to Pico do Arieiro in the morning and be down basking on a beach in Caniçal by sunset. It’s the same for the style of route too… you can plot a simple stroll or complete a multi-day hike from one end of Madeira to the other!
Pico Ariero, one of Madeira’s highest peaks
Can I go hiking in Madeira without a car?
It’s really hard to go hiking in Madeira without a car. Many of the trailhead starting points are remote and public transport isn’t very established in Madeira. It’s strongly recommended you rent a car while you’re out there.
If you’re really stuck, you could use the taxi app Bolt to get you to places, but there aren’t many cars in operation and you could be waiting an awfully long time. A timetable of bus services can be found here.
What are levadas and veradas?
When you start plotting your hiking trip in Madeira, you’ll come across many trails characterized by levadas and veradas.
Levada, meaning to carry, is an irrigation system that collects water and transports it across the island. The routes often start perched up high in the mountains and snake their way down into villages, towns and cities.
The island’s web of waterways span about 3,100km and are some of the longest irrigation systems in the world. Some of the channels are about 600-years-old and the structures are synonymous with Madeira.
Nowadays, the channels are used for human consumption, electrical energy and agricultural uses. However, they are also a brilliant source of inspiration for hikes because the systems wind into some seriously beautiful and remote places on the island! They are known as levada walks.
The word verada translates to path. Madeira’s veradas can widely vary from a simple route in the forest to a trickier mountainous path.
In the mountainous region, the trails are named by PR. This is useful to find trailheads and plot your distance/difficulty.
What month is best for hiking in Madeira?
There’s a lot out there online about average temperatures on the island but in a nutshell, Madeira has warm weather in every season. The reason for this is because Madeira has diverse microclimates.
In the southern town of Ponta Do Sol, you’ll score some sun all-year round. The east of Madeira, which was the first to thrust up out of the Atlantic as a shield volcano, is the driest. Meanwhile the central mountainous part gets more cloudy and wet weather.
We headed to the island in January to escape from the gray gloom of the UK and Belgium. We stayed in Ponta Do Sol and had sunshine everyday. On average, we had temps of 22°C which was ideal for hiking up mountains.
Madeira’s sub-tropical climate means thunderstorms and bursts of rain showers do happen across the year (more frequent in winter) so ensure you’re prepared and you’ll be grand.
According to the Met Office, winter temps average from 18-20°C, spring/autumn 20-24°C and summer gets 25-27°C.
Locals told me that although Madeira is an all-year tourist destination, July and August do get really busy, especially on the trails. If you pair this with schlepping up a mountain in 25°C, I’d stick to booking your trip in winter/spring/autumn months.
Something else to consider is the sea temperature. Cynthia and I would make it a daily ritual to go jump in the sea after a long hike. Locals told us the sea was warmer than usual, at about 22°C, when it’s usually about 18°C. If you’re looking to do a lot of swimming too, arrange your trip for autumn.
Useful things to know before a hiking trip in Madeira
- You should rent a car while out there. It’s really hard to go hiking in Madeira without a car. The public transport in Madeira isn’t very regular and it’s near impossible to get to any of the trailheads without a vehicle. You could organize transfers (this service offers pick-up and drop-offs across the island for hikers) or use the taxi service Bolt, but it would total up to be a very expensive trip. You can find a full guide on how to rent a car in Madeira here.
- There is a Decathlon in Funchal if you forget any hiking essentials.
- Some trails listed as closed on Google are actually open. We found that some routes were listed as ‘temporarily closed’ but when we got to the trailhead, it was open and safe to walk on.
- Use Gaia to plot your hiking routes. While a lot of people use AllTrails to plan their hikes, it is not a good navigational tool and not accurate for plotting ascent/descent. If you need some inspiration, use AllTrails to source a hike, but stick to Gaia for when you’re in the mountains. Through Gaia, you can plot your route, navigate offline and it has a GPS function. You can also record your hike which is incredibly useful for monitoring time, distance and elevation.
- If you’ve picked a popular hiking route, it will get busy.
Madeira attracts tourists all year round, so people will flock to the known popular trails. If you want to avoid this, get up early and try to make small variations off the main routes.
- Create your own hiking trails. Madeira is pretty unique in that its trails are clearly marked. This means it’s really easy to shorten/lengthen versions of routes to what you like. You can plan this in the Gaia app.
- Try the poncha! Poncha is Madeira’s signature boozy drink. It’s made up from rum, lemon and honey. The strength will hit you like a sack of spuds but it’s delicious. Our advice: drink it after the hike tho, not before, or you might get lost 😉
What to pack for a hiking trip in Madeira
- Waterproof jacket and rain pants. Madeira has a whole range of microclimates and the thunderstorms here are whoppers. It’s best to bring a lightweight coat that will battle a heavy, but short, shower.
- Trail runners/walking boots. This completely depends on what you prefer on your feet. I prefer trail runners that aren’t waterproof so they can drain and dry quickly. It also helps me move faster. Other people prefer better ankle support and waterproof boots. Keep in mind it is hot and you’re only really likely to get your feet wet if it rains or if you’re heading on some of the levada walks.
- Small ankle gaiters. I didn’t need to use these but brought them out with me just in case. Small lightweight gaiters help prevent dust/small rocks/mud from getting in your shoes. If you accidentally get caught in rain, they’re a pretty useful item to have.
- Head torch. On average, Madeira gets about eight daily hours of sunshine, so you’ll probably grasp as much of the day as you can. If you’re out hiking and you haven’t made it down to a village in time for dusk, it will get dark awfully quick. Also on some of the levada trails, there are long tunnels so a head torch is an essential piece of kit.
- Hiking poles. Granted, you probably won’t need these on the shorter hiking routes, but Madeira does have some steep trails. Poles are like an extra pair of legs and are so useful for boosting you up high ascents, preventing falls and stabilizing you across streams.
- Lightweight t-shirt. If you’re hiking on the island, you’re likely to sweat a lot. Don’t wear cotton because it absorbs moisture and is a nightmare to dry out. Stick to polyester.
- Shorts/skort. Cynthia and I didn’t anticipate how hot the island would be, even in January. We had to head to Decathlon and pick up some skimpier clothes to hike in…
- Longer leggings/midlayers. In the evening, temperatures can get cooler and it’s always smart to pack warmer bottoms and a fleece.
- Battery pack and cords for phone/camera. Always an essential if you’re heading out for a long day.
- European plug adapter. Madeira uses TYPE C, like many other EU countries.
- Swimwear. It became a daily ritual for Cynthia and I to go swimming in the sea after a long day of hiking. Even when we went in January, the water temperatures were 22 degrees. Bliss.
- Beach shoes. The island is essentially a whole plate of volcanic rock so many of the coastlines are pebbled beaches or rocky outcrops. Beach shoes are super useful to stick on your feet to get into the sea with ease or to explore the waterfalls.
- Mosquito repellent. Sadly, yes you need this. Madeira has a sub-tropical climate meaning it has hot summers and mild winters.
- Water bottle. Hiking in hot temps means it’s essential to keep hydrated.
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Do I need a guide to hike in Madeira?
No, you don’t need a guide to hike the trails in Madeira. Ensure you’re prepared, pack the correct gear with you and plot your route through a reliable GPS navigation app.
If you prefer to hike in a small group and/or with a private guide, you can find plenty of amazing walking tours:
If you’re wanting to do more of a challenging mountaineering/scramble in the mountains read Climbing in Madeira: The full guide for rock climbing on the island.
What area to stay for hiking in Madeira
There’s no hard and fast rule about which area is best to stay in Madeira. As heads up, it’s not cheap to find accommodation on the island and you’ll likely be based around what can fit your budget. Your location doesn’t matter too much because most places in Madeira take one hour or less to drive to.
We stayed in the beautiful southern town Ponta do Sol (point of the sun) which is the sunniest place on the island. It was a fantastic base for us to explore Madeira.
If you’re more drawn towards the mountains, you’ll likely want to base yourself in the north/south, ideally below and above the mountainous region. The west is known for surfing, while the east has some of the best swimming spots.
If you can’t drive, you’ll likely have to base yourself in Funchal and arrange transfers from the capital. However, I’d highly recommend renting a car for your trip. It’s near impossible to get to some of the wilder spots in nature without a hire car.
How to find accommodation for hiking in Madeira
As I mentioned earlier, accommodation in Madeira isn’t cheap but there are places for tighter budgets. I’d recommend checking out Airbnb or Booking.com for a variety of rental homes and rooms to choose from. You could also contact Facebook groups – some landlords are happy to rent out co-living spaces for a few weeks.
With the island’s vast hiking opportunities, why not combine it with a camping trip? There are campsites across the island which you can find on this useful website.
If you fancy a multi-day hiking trip, the trails provide endless wild camping spots and you’ll be guaranteed some of the most magnificent views of the island. Set up at dusk, pack away in the morning and follow the no trace rules.
How should I plan hiking routes in Madeira?
Many people head to AllTrails to search for hiking ideas. There’s a decent amount of routes on there to get some inspiration, with reviews from fellow hikers.
However, do not use this app to navigate. The map is not built for navigation purposes and it’s important you have all the information with correct map contours, especially if you’re heading into the mountains.
I use Gaia to navigate. It’s an incredibly reliable app that is built for navigating and plotting hiking routes. Through Gaia, you can set your route into the map, save it offline, see your planned distance/ascent/descent and follow it while offline. It has a GPS function and many other benefits.
Overview of our 7 favorite and recommended Madeira hiking trails in:
- Caldeirão Verde Levada Trail: 13km out-and-back, +300m -300m, about 3 hours, easy-moderate
- PR 8 – Footpath of Ponta de São Lourenço: 6km out-and-back, +500m -500m, 3 hours, easy-moderate
- Pico Grande via Caminho Real da Encumeada PR 12: 9.5km out-and-back, +1400m -1400m, 4.5 hours, moderate-hard
- PR 14 Levada dos Cedros: 10.5km circular, +370m -340m, 3 hours, easy-moderate
- Levada do Larano – Boca do Risico: 9.2 km out-and-back, +100m -100m, 3 hours, easy
- Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova: 10km circular, 3.5 hours, moderate
- Chao dos Louros to Pico Ruivo: 13km, point-to-point, +1600m -1000m, 5 hours, hard
1) PR 9 Caldeirão Verde Levada Trail
- Total distance: 13km
- Ascent/descent: +150m -150m
- Start/end point: P9 trailhead – there’s also parking near the trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Logistics: Out-and-back route. This trail gets busy so go there in the early morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 3pm).
- Guided tour: Caldeirão Verde Levada hiking tour
The Caldeirão Verde Levada trail is a relatively easy and absolultely stunning hike! The trail winds its way through the heart of Madeira’s dense Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its biodiversity and natural beauty.
You’ll hike along the levada (irrigation channel) paths, which can be very narrow, muddy and slippery, and through tunnels carve into the mountainside. You need to bring sturdy and waterproof shoes and a head torch.
During the hike, you have the most spectacural views of cascading waterfalls, vibrant flora, and towering cliffs, creating a feeling you’re walking through some fairytale forest. The trail finishes at the mesmerizing Caldeirão Verde waterfall, which plunges dramatically into a serene emerald pool below.
From the waterfall, you can return or you can continue hiking and follow the Caldeirão do Inferno trail for another 2.5 km to reach an incredible canyon and another beautiful waterfall, but when I was there in February 2024, the trail was closed.
As it gets busy on this trail during the day – meaning some waiting time at the smaller parts of the trail where only 1 person can pass – I highly recommend going early (before 10am) or in the late afternoon (after 3pm). If you park, don’t forget that you need to pay a parking fee of €5 at the office at the start of the trail.
2) PR 8 Footpath of Ponta de São Lourenço
- Total distance: 6km
- Ascent/descent: +500m -500m
- Start/end point: PR8 trailhead – parking at also at the PR8 trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Logistics: Out-and-back route. This route gets really busy so head on this walk in the morning or late afternoon!
- Guided tour: Ponta de São Lourenço Hiking Tour
Cynthia and I were a little apprehensive of this coastal walk after hearing that hoards of tourists head here, but we were both blown away by the views and loved the route.
This trail is absolutely spectacular. It follows the eastern peninsula and the trail is mostly flat, with some slights ascents and descents along the way. At the end of the trail, you can hike right up via a steep stair-like path (the most challenging part of the trail) to the most easterly tip of the island.
I was in awe of the magnificent volcanic structures which had thrusted up out of the Atlantic and the 360° panoramic sights of the ocean.
Madeira is a plate of a volcano that thrusted up out of the Atlantic Ocean so the island has some striking geological formations. It’s also mostly made up of black basalt rock that was formed by volcanic magma which cooled rapidly. The eastern part of Madeira is the driest part of the island because it was the first part to erupt from the sea.
It’s a great place to do wildlife watching too. Kestrels swooped above our heads, using air currents to soar above the peninsula. Meanwhile the Casa do Sardinha cafe offers whale and dolphin watching trips.
Although there are a lot of car parking spaces, these fill up incredibly quickly. A lot of coach-based tours head here too. Something else to mention is there is no shade on this hike, so it does get a lot of sun. I’d strongly recommend doing this route very early in the morning or much later in the day.
3) PR 12 Pico Grande via Caminho Real da Encumeada
Total distance: 9.5km
Ascent/descent: +1400m -1400m
Start/end point: PR 12 trailhead – parking at Boca Da Corrida viewpoint
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Logistics: Out-and-back route. There aren’t many car parking spaces available so head early in the day to ensure you can get a space.
Cynthia and I hiked this at the start of our trip and it was a brilliant way to get a feel for the mountainous part of the island.
This route leads you up into a tapestry of green vegetation and winds around various mountainous peaks. The path snakes between the striking Pico de Serradinho and Pico do Cavalo, providing numerous viewpoints along the way. The terrain eventually becomes rockier as you climb up to Pico Grande at 1654m.
The paths on this trail are well-maintained so it’s a great route for those wanting to get up high into the mountains but are a little nervous about trickier terrain. It remains a steady hike with gradual incline and decline up until the final 300m climb up to Pico Grande.
Something important to mention is the final 20m up to the peak is a Grade 1 scramble. Do not try this without scrambling/climbing experience. It’s so much easier to climb up than it is to down-climb. There is a small steel cable at the start, but for most of the scramble, you’re on your own. The mountain peak plateaus out before this scramble, so there’s space to rest if you can’t do the final 20m.
It was a semi-busy route so I’d recommend setting off early, especially to secure a parking space.
4) PR 14 Levada dos Cedros
- Total distance: 10.5km
- Ascent/descent: +370m -340m
- Start/end point: PR 14 trailhead – parking also at the trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Logistics: Circular route
- Transfer for self-guided hike: Fanal and PR14
The first part of the path is carved out like something from a fairytale. You’re led deep down into a tunnel of shrubbery which shields you from the whistling winds.
This trail is incredibly peaceful because nearly the whole of the route lies in a forest of cedar and laurel trees. The only noise you really hear is the trickling of the water beside you as you follow the levada.
You’ll finish passing through the enchanting Fanal forest which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to thousands of ancient trees, Fanal hails as one of the last remaining sites of original European ‘rainforests’. The latest Star Wars sequel was filmed here in 2023!
The Fanal forest comes alive in the fog and provides atmospheric scenery (we wanted fog but got sunbeams instead!). It’s fairly hard to predict the conditions up there because it’s higher in elevation but you have better chances of finding mist earlier in the morning.
This easy walk can be done in bad weather, and I’d actually recommend coming here in misty, rainy or foggy conditions. For most of the hike, you’re protected by a canopy of trees and shrubbery.
5) Levada do Larano – Boca do Risco
- Total distance: 9.2km (part of bigger 24 km Caniçal’s Levada Larano Footpath)
- Ascent/descent: +100m -100m
- Start/end point: Caminho do Cabo de Larano – Park here along this road. If you continue further up, the road becomes incredibly narrow and really difficult to pass oncoming cars.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Logistics: Out-and-back route. Parking is very limited so it’s important to head out early in the morning or later in the day.
- Guided tour: Larano – Boca do Risco Guided Hike
This trail is an ideal one if you’re wanting to take it easy. Not many tourists flock here and the views over the Atlantic are stunning as you follow a path carved into the cliffside.
From the parking spot, you wind your way easterly across the northern tip of the island on a clearly marked trail. It’s a quieter part of Madeira, you won’t hear much apart from the wind whistling in the trees and the waves crashing against the shore below.
I’d recommend taking a picnic and a book to enjoy at the Boca do Risco viewpoint. The terrain plateaus out with lots of green grass to sit in the sun.
If you’re wanting more time to explore this area, search for the Caniçal’s Levada Larano Footpath (24km). This is a longer out-and-back trial which covers more of the area.
6) Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova
- Total distance: 10km (this depends on your starting route from Ponta do Sol)
- Ascent/descent: +1200m -1200m (this depends on your starting route from Ponta do Sol)
- Suggested start/end point: Levada do Moino trailhead – park at Levada Lounge. I started this route from our apartment in Ponta do Sol so the distance will vary on where you start your route.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Logistics: Circular route
- Guided Tour: Levada Nova Hiking Tour
Note: The trail is not for anyone with vertigo or claustrophobia. As of time of writing in February 2024, the trail was broken in parts and had very steep drops. It also involved walking under two long tunnels.
This route is packed with winding forest trails, guided by the gushing irrigation channels perched on the mountain side. You’re steered under showering waterfalls and are taken through tunnels carved out in the cliffs.
The route begins in the village of Ponta do Sol. Banana trees cloak the village houses and as you follow the concrete levadas, you’re led further into lush vegetation.
The path was broken in parts and had steep drops but it just unlocked a feeling of being totally immersed in the wilder parts of Madeira.
The trail involves walking under two tunnels so remember to bring a head torch – do not rely on your phone.
7) Chao dos Louros to Pico Ruivo
Total distance: 13km
Ascent/descent: +1600m -1000m
Start point: PR 17 trailhead – drop off parking only at Boca Da Encumeada
End point: PR 1.2 trailhead – parking at Achada do Teixeira
Difficulty: Hard
Logistics: Point-to-point route. You will need to arrange transport for drop off and pick up. This trail can also be done as out-and-back (head back after climbing Pico Ruivo), but this is only suited for people with a very strong level of fitness.
If you’re wanting to savor Madeira’s mountain peaks but beat all the tourists, this is the route for you. The path follows parts of the Vereda da Encumeada and traverses east up to the highest mountain of Madeira, Pico Ruivo (1861m). The trail is riddled with stunning ridges and you’re rewarded with 360° views over the island.
Up until you hit the tourist path of Pico Ruivo, this route is very quiet and peaceful. When I did this in January 2024, I hardly passed any people! I loved the contrast of hiking alone to reaching the bustling Pico Ruivo. It cemented how much this route is a gem to discover.
I was able to run a lot of this trail because the paths are well-built and maintained. However you must be very careful in the steeper parts, especially near Pico Casado ou da Parteira. Here, there are steel cables to assist you but some of these are weathered. The route does not need scrambling experience, you just need to be comfortable with heights and take care on the mountainous terrain.
Other notable hikes
PR 1 Pico Arieiro – Pico Ruivo
- Total distance:11km
- Ascent/descent: +1100m -1100m
- Start point/End point: Pico Arieiro car park
- Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
- Logistics: Out-and-back route. This trail gets very busy so set off early to avoid the heat of the day and rush hour on the route!
- Guided tour: Sunrise hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
The Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo route is a hit with hikers – and for good reason. The trail snakes up and down some of the most spectacular ridges of Madeira. Many people head to Pico Arieiro at sunrise in hopes for a glowing panoramic view of the island. Even if there’s fog in the weather forecast, I’d definitely recommend it as there’ll be a good chance of a magnificent cloud inversion!
This trail sees a lot of footfall, so even at sunrise you’ll likely see fellow walkers. There are secure railings which are in condition on the steep parts and stone steps pave most of the way for the ascent and descent.
Something to mention is that if you have severe vertigo, this probably isn’t the route for you. You will come across other people, and it’s likely you’ll have to wait behind them or they will have to wait behind you on narrow paths with steep drops on either side. This could be slightly unnerving if you have a problem with heights.
With hundreds and hundreds of steps, you need to have a reasonable standard of fitness to do this trail. If you’re unsure of your fitness, set off early so you have plenty of time to take it at your pace. The path also leads under some tunnels so a head torch is a necessity.
PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes
- Total distance: 10km
- Ascent/descent: +400m -400m
- Start point/end point: Trailhead for levada das 25 Fontes and parking at this viewpoint
- Difficulty: Hard
- Logistics: Circular route. This trail gets very busy so arrive early to avoid the crowds.
- Guided tour: 25 Fontes hiking tour
This trail beckons you through enchanting forests and cascading waterfalls. The route is easy-going and isn’t physically demanding which is brilliant for walkers who want to experience the magic of Madeira’s levada systems but aren’t up for a lot of ascent.
Another draw to this route is that it can be saved for a rainy day as a lot of the path is under the canopy of trees. Its beauty has attracted a lot of tourism and this is one of the most popular routes on the island.
You can expect to see many guides leading groups. I’ve read on forums that this can be slightly irritating for solo walkers, who on narrower parts on the levadas may have to wait for groups to pass. Aim to do this walk very early, or create your own detour using a navigation map app.
I hope this travel guide was helpful and gave you some ideas to plan your hiking trip in Madeira! If you have any questions or remarks, let me and other readers know in the comments below.
