In a nutshell
- Hiking is a very popular activity in Madeira – whether you are a beginner or an expert. Beautiful trails await you at every turn, just waiting to be discovered.
- In this article, we show you the 10 most beautiful hikes in Madeira and give you helpful tips on difficulty, duration, how to get there and much more.
- For each hike, we will tell you whether you should do it on your own or with a guided tour.
Table of Contents
- General Information about Hiking
- Tickets For Trails
- #1 Vereda Pico Arieiro
- #2 Vereda Ponta de São Lourenço
- #3 Levada das 25 Fontes
- #4 Vereda do Fanal
- #5 Valley of the Nuns
- #6 Coastal Path Porto da Cruz - Caniçal
- #7 Vereda dos Balcões
- #8 Caminho da Entrosa
- #9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- #10 Levada do Rei
- Where to Stay?
- FAQs
General Information about Hiking in Madeira
There are countless hiking trails in Madeira. The official paths are marked with PR. This is followed by a number for the respective trail – i.e. PR1, PR2, PR3 etc.
In Madeira, a distinction is generally made between levada and vereda hikes.
Levadas are water pipes that distribute rainwater from rainy regions of Madeira to the entire island. They look like miniature canals. The trails lead along the levadas.
Vereda is a more general term for hiking routes and refers to trails that are not levada hikes.
It is also very important to know that there are hardly any circular hiking routes in Madeira. Most of the time you come out at a different place or have to walk back along the same path.
Tickets For Trails in Madeira
You have to register in advance for the popular walks in Madeira and pay 3 euros each. You do this via the Simplifica portal. You can also download it as an app.
There you have to enter the hiking route, the day and the number of people.
Our Best 10 Hikes in Madeira at a Glance
These hiking routes are definitely worthwhile:
- Vereda Pico Arieiro
- Vereda Ponta de São Lourenço
- Levada das 25 Fontes
- Vereda do Fanal
- Valley of the Nuns
- Coastal path Porto da Cruz – Caniçal
- Levada dos Balcões
- Caminho da Entrosa
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- Levada do Rei
Our tip: We always used the offline maps from the MapsMe app for orientation when hiking in Madeira. The paths are precisely marked there.
Vereda Pico Arieiro
Important note: The hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is currently closed. For the latest information on trail closures, see VisitMadeira here and here.
- Length: 10.6 or 8.1 kilometers (depends on which way you take back)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 3-7 hours
- Name: PR1
- Start/end point: Pico do Arieiro, Achada do Teixeiro
The trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is probably the most popular hike in Madeira. At 1,862 meters, Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain in Madeira and is connected to the third-highest mountain, Pico do Arieiro, via a spectacular trail.
How to get to the Pico Ruivo hike
If you are arriving by rental car, it is best to park at the Pico do Arieiro parking lot.
However, it is more practical to book a transfer or a guided hike from Funchal. Then you don’t have to walk back the same way, but can hike on to Achada do Teixeira and be picked up again there.
Book a guided Pico do Arieiro hiking tour
Book a transfer to Pico do Arieiro (return journey from Achada do Teixeira)
Vereda Ponta de São Lourenço
- Length: 7.4 kilometers (there and back)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Name: PR8
- Start/end point: Baia d’Abra parking lot
The Ponta de São Lourenço is the easternmost tip of Madeira and an impressive volcanic landscape. The area is accessible via a panoramic hike and is an essential part of a Madeira vacation.
How to get to the Ponta de Sao Lourenço
The Vereda Ponta de São Lourenço is a great place to hike on your own. The best way to get there is by rental car. There are plenty of parking spaces at the start of the trail. The earlier you arrive, the closer you can park to the start of the trail.
There are also regular buses from Machico to Baia d’Abra operated by SAM. Some buses even run through from Funchal to Baia d’Abra. You can find the bus schedules by entering “Bus Funchal – Baia d’Abra” on Google. Then you can download the current PDF’s from SAM.
Levada das 25 Fontes
- Length: Approximately 10 kilometers
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 2-4 hours
- Name: PR 6 / PR 6.1
- Start/end point: ER 105 Rabaçal parking lot, Rabaçal forester’s lodge
The hike along the Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6) is best combined with the trail to the Risco waterfall (PR6.1), as both hiking routes are really worthwhile. You will pass various waterfalls, viewpoints and plants on the hiking trails.
How to get to the Levada das 25 Fontes hike
It is best to book a guided tour or a transfer from Funchal. As the start and end points of the hike are different, this makes more sense than traveling by rental car.
Book a guided hike: Levada das 25 Fontes
Book a transfer: Levada das 25 Fontes hike
If you prefer to arrive by car on your own, this is also possible. After the hike, you will then have to walk about 2 kilometers back to the parking lot along a road.
Anyways, it’s one of the best hiking tours in Madeira with a guide.
Vereda do Fanal
- Length: 10.8 kilometers
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 3 – 4.5 hours
- Name: PR13
- Start/end point: ER209 road, Posto Florestal do Fanal
The Fanal cloud forest with its mystical trees is one of the most popular sights in Madeira. The Vereda do Fanal is a beautiful hiking trail that ends in Fanal. It leads across the Paul da Serra plateau and you walk through a lot of forest, but also have beautiful views.
How to get to the Vereda do Fanal hike
As the hike starts at a completely different point to where it ends, it is worth booking a guided tour here.
Book a guided hike: Vereda do Fanal
If you want to hike on your own, take a rental car to the parking lot at the start of the hike. For the way back, take a cab from the top back to the parking lot. Alternatively, you can also hitchhike.
Valley of the Nuns
- Length: 3.5 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 hour
- Start/end point: Eira do Serrado parking lot, Curral das Freiras
The Nun’s Valley is a region near Funchal. The hike starts at the Eira do Serrado parking lot, where there is also a beautiful viewpoint. From there, you walk downhill for about an hour and arrive in the village of Curral das Freiras. Along the way, you will see many plants and have great views.
How to get to the Nun’s Valley
The best way to do this hike is on your own. To do this, take bus 81 from Funchal, as the bus stops both at the start and end of the hike.
Coastal Path Porto da Cruz - Caniçal
- Length: 11 kilometers
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Duration: 3–6 hours
- Start/end point: Miradouro do Cabo de Larano, Caniçal cemetery
The two villages of Porto da Cruz and Caniçal are connected by a hiking trail. You walk along the cliffs along the coast. It alternates between uphill and downhill – sometimes very steep. In total, you have to walk up around 740 meters in altitude.
Our tip: If you only want to do half of the hike, you can descend at Boca do Risco.
How to get to the coastal path
As the route is long and strenuous, we recommend staying overnight in Machico, Caniçal or Porto da Cruz. All towns are connected by SAM buses.
Also read our tips on where to stay in Madeira
If you start in Porto da Cruz, take a cab to the start of the hike or extend the hike by 4.5 kilometers and start walking in the village. From the end of the hiking trail in Caniçal, it is not far to the village center.
As far as we know, guided tours are not offered.
Vereda dos Balcões
- Length: 3 kilometers (there and back)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 hour
- Name: PR11
- Start/end point: Casa do Ribeiro Frio
The Vereda dos Balcões is a very easy hike. Even beginners can do this excursion in Madeira on their own.
You only walk about 1.5 kilometers along the Levada da Serra do Faial and come out at the Balcões viewpoint, from where you have a great view. You walk back the same way.
How to get to the Levada dos Balcões
The best way is by car. There are several parking options in Ribeiro Frio. You can also take the number 56 bus from Funchal or Santana (note: the bus only runs a few times a day).
Caminho da Entrosa
- Length: 2.2 kilometers
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: Approx. 1 hour
- Start/end point: Miradouro de São Cristovão – Restaurante O Arco
The Entrosa hike is one of our insider tips for Madeira – because few tourists know about it. The path connects the villages of Boaventura and Arco São Jorge and leads over a ravine along the high cliffs by the sea.
How to get to the Caminho da Entrosa
If you take the rental car, you have to walk the hiking route there and back again. You can park at the Miradouro São Cristovao and eat in the restaurant after the hike. Very tasty!
Check out our tips on eating in Madeira
Alternatively, Rodoeste buses run from Funchal and São Vicente to Arco São Jorge and Boaventura. They stop in Arco de São Jorge right at the start of the hike. In Boaventura, you have to walk about 1.5 kilometers to the bus stop.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- Length: 17.4 km kilometers (there and back)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 5-7 hours
- Name: PR9
- Start/end point: Parque Florestal das Queimadas
One of the most popular levada hikes in Madeira is the Caldeirão Verde – it is also one of the longest hikes, as you have to walk 8.7 kilometers there and back.
How to get to the Levada do Caldeirão Verde
The best way is by car. There is a parking lot at the start of the hike. Alternatively, you can book a transfer or a guided tour from Funchal.
Book a guided hike: Caldeirão Verde
Book a transfer to the Caldeirão Verde hike
Levada do Rei
- Length: 10.6 km (there and back)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Duration: 2.5 – 4 hours
- Name: PR18
- Start/end point: Quinta Levada do Rei
The Levada do Rei is not quite as popular as the Levada do Caldeirão Verde. The hiking route starts and ends in São Jorge in the north of the island. There is hardly any elevation gain here, so it is easily doable for any hiker. The highlight is the Ribeiro Bonito stream at the end of the trail (i.e. before you walk back).
How to get to the Levada do Rei
You can park your car at the start of the hike at the restaurant. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour from Funchal.
Book a guided hike: Levada do Rei
If you want to take the bus, you can take line 138 from Funchal to São Jorge. However, the buses only stop in the town center – from there you have to walk to the start of the hike.
Where to Stay in Madeira for Hiking?
You’re mainly in Madeira for hiking and wondering where the best place to stay is? If you have a rental car, it’s not that important — you can get almost anywhere quickly and easily by car.
However, if you want to do many different hikes in Madeira, we recommend staying somewhere central, such as Funchal or São Vicente.
If you don’t have a rental car, it’s best to stay in Funchal. Most guided hiking tours and transfers start from there.
FAQs About Hiking in Madeira
Is hiking in Madeira dangerous?
No. Like any sport, hiking also involves certain risks – especially if you are walking on difficult, unsecured paths.
Accidents and even deaths happen all the time when hiking, even in Madeira.
If you are new to hiking, you should start with easy hikes or take a guide.
It is very important to always keep an eye on the weather. Hiking in the rain and wind is more dangerous than in the sunshine.
Do robberies happen on hikes in Madeira?
We never noticed that. In general, Madeira is a very safe destination.
What month is best for hiking in Madeira?
The summer months from April to October. This is when it rains the least.
But you can also go hiking in Madeira during winter.
What to pack for hiking in Madeira?
Here is a small list of things you should always have in your rucksack when hiking:
- Plenty of water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen/cream
- Swimwear
- Rain poncho
Are there hikes in Madeira for people with a fear of heights?
Yes, there are some easy trails in Madeira that are also doable with a fear of heights – e.g. the Levada dos Balcões.
However, as fear of heights varies greatly, we recommend that you book a guide if you have major problems with heights.
Is hiking in Madeira difficult?
That really depends on the hike. There are many easy hikes in Madeira, and many difficult ones too.
These were our tips for hiking in Madeira
Which hikes did you do on your road trip in Madeira? What was your favorite hiking tour? Let us know in the comments.