The 14 Most Epic Hikes in Madeira (Including Map + Tips)

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Are you looking for the best hikes in Madeira? Let me start by saying how incredibly excited I am for you that you decided to travel to this amazing island! I am in no way an experienced hiker myself but I love to be outdoors and breathe in the fresh air.

Madeira has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the entire world. In this blog post I will give you all of the details and my personal tips on the best walks in Madeira!

Let’s start at the beginning! When planning your trip to Madeira you might be wondering what’s the best way to get around the island. For me the best and only way to explore Madeira is to do it by car. You can grab your rental car from SunnyCars for the best experience. The biggest tip I can give you is to choose an automatic cause the roads on Madeira can be very steep!

If you’re still trying to figure out where to stay in Madeira I would suggest you find a hotel in Funchal. I stayed at Sé Boutique Hotel and absolutely loved my stay. For more information on why you should choose Funchal as a base for your road trip and hiking adventure click here.

The 14 Most Epic Hikes in Madeira – Hiking Trails you can’t miss

Did you know that there are over 450 different hikes in Madeira? This means that there is over 3000km of hiking fun scattered throughout the entire island. It’s safe to say that it won’t be possible to do all of them on your trip. I think that would be just a little too much, even for the most experienced hiker out there.

The hiking trails in Madeira are divided into two categories:

• Levadas – Levada walks are very popular in Madeira. They consist of maintained paths alongside man made water springs, making it a calming experience. You’ll be surrounded by lush nature and along the way you’ll see amazing panorama’s.
  

• Veredas – Vereda hiking trails are up in the mountains of Madeira. They offer incredible vista’s but are often also a little more challenging.

In this blog post I will cover my favourite official hiking trails in Madeira. These are all marked PR trails as they are included in the list of Recommended Walking Routes. If you are planning to hike one of the unofficial hiking trails make sure to bring a guide with you.

I did all of these hikes in Madeira without an official guide.

The Most Beautiful Hikes in Madeira

1. Vereda do Areeiro – PR1 – The most famous hiking trail on Madeira

Pico do Areeiro 1818m – Pico Ruivo 1862m

Let’s start with one of the most beautiful and impressive hikes in all of Madeira! But let me be clear, it’s also one of the hardest!

The Vereda do Areeiro connects the two highest peaks on the island: Pico do Arieiro (1818m) and Pico Ruivo (1862m).

Distance – 15.6km (total distance)

Average time – 7 to 8 hours in total

Inclination – 1000 meters

Route Type – Out & Back

Starting point – Pico do Areeiro. The restaurant and shop opens at 9am and closes at 6pm.

End point – Pico Riuvo

Difficulty Level – moderate to hard

Advised starting time – 30 minutes before sunrise

What to bring with you – Sunscreen, water, camera, protein bar and a piece of fruit. I did the hike without trekking poles but can imagine they would really come in handy here.

What to wear – Make sure to wear enough layers. In the morning it can be very cold and windy but once the sun rises you’ll be happy to continue the hike in a t-shirt. This hike requires good hiking shoes.

Distance from Funchal – 45 minutes driving

Your first stop on this hike will be Miradouro do Ninho da Manta, also known as the birds nest. Make sure to take out your camera and snap some photos.

After this simply continue along the PR1 trail. On the way you’ll come across stairs, tunnels and insane panorama views. The reason why this trail is so tough is that you go almost entirely up and down the mountain. To add to that, the PR1 is not a loop trail. There are two ways to get back to your car at Pico do Arieiro:

• Hike the PR1 back from Pico Ruivo to Pico do Arieiro
• Hike the PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo. This is a 2.8km hike that will take you to Achada do Teixeira in Santana. If you wish to do this you have to ask the guy at the refugio at Pico Ruivo to call a taxi for you. Do know that the drive from Santana back to your car at Pico do Arieiro can take up to 1 hour and will cost you around €65.

We didn’t want to spend that much money so decided to simply hike the PR1 all the way back. This was way harder (at least for me) cause by now the sun was high in the sky and there were way more people on the hiking trail. I think in total it took us around 8 tot 8,5 hours to complete the entire trail, including frequent water breaks, a late breakfast at the refugio on Pico Ruivo and a ton of photography stops.

Once you’ve made it back to Pico do Arieiro you should quickly pay a visit to Miradouro do Juncal. Not to worry, it’s only 15 minutes walking from the parking lot but totally worth the little detour before you head back to the hotel.

💡 TIP – If you have the time make sure to come back here once more for sunset. Not to hike the entire PR1 again, let’s not get too crazy ;). But in the evening there will be way less people and the chance of seeing more cloud inversions is higher.

Pico to Pico Hike

Madeira’s most famous hike among true hiking fans. You hike between two stunning peaks, Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. Not easy but a bucketlist experience.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

★★★★★ 4.7
on GetYourGuide

2. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço – PR8

This hiking trail is located on the Eastern part of the island and offers incredible panoramic views! During the hike you’ll walk along the entire peninsula.

Distance – 7km

Average time – 3 hours

Inclination – 472 meters

Starting point – Ponta de São Lourenço

Route Type – Out & Back

Difficulty Level – Easy to moderate

Advised starting time – Sunrise or 3,5 hours before sunset

What to bring with you – Sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, water, snack

What to wear – For this hike you should wear proper hiking shoes and make sure to dress in layers. There is no cover during this hike so you might want to bring a cap with you to protect you from the sun as well. Just make sure to choose something that sits tight on your head cause it can get very windy on this peninsula.

Distance from Funchal – 40 minutes driving

After you’ve parked your car simply follow the arrow saying PR8. This trail is pretty straight forward and isn’t too difficult. There is some elevation involved but nothing you can’t handle ;).

After the hike make sure to do a pit stop at Ponta do Rosto for another spectacular viewpoint!

3. Levada das 25 Fontes – PR6

This is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira and is often combined with the Levada do Risco (PR6.1). There is parking space available alongside the ER110. From here you have two options:

• You can walk down about 30 minutes to the actual start of the hike
• You can take a shuttle bus (however it only starts running from 10am)

This hike got it’s name because of the many small waterfalls and springs that you will encounter along the way and at the end of the trail.

Distance – 9km (walking distance from the parking lot not included)

Average time – 2 hours (one way)

Inclination – 300 meters

Starting point – ER110

Route Type – Out & Back

Difficulty level – Easy to moderate

Advised starting time – Make sure to start around 8am. This hiking trail in Madeira is very narrow at some points. From 9 am tour busses will start to arrive and this will cause long waiting lines along the trail since at some parts only one person can pass at a time.

What to bring with you – Water, camera and a snack. There is a cafe at the start at the hike but the food here is not really good and also way overpriced.

Distance from Funchal – 1 hour driving

Reach it by tour

If you’re not renting a car, you can reach the 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall hike through this guided tour at a really affordable price. Hiking tours are very common in Madeira, and a great way to both stay safe and learn more about the island. Click below for details and availability:

25 Fontes Hike
Madeira’s most popular hike, featuring two beautiful waterfalls. Come in the morning to avoid sharing this place with TONS of tourists. This tour starts at 8:30AM.

CHECK AVAILABILITY

★★★★★ 4.8
on GetYourGuide

4. Levada do Risco – PR6.1

This levada in Madeira is often combined with the Levada das 25 Fontes. To reach the starting point simply walk back from the PR6 until you reach the crossroads again. Here you will see another arrow pointing at PR6.1.

The hiking trail here is wider than on the PR6 so if you wish to combine both hikes I would suggest you start with the PR6 and then do the PR6.1 before returning to the parking lot.

Average time – 30 minutes

Difficulty level – Easy

At the end of this levada you will see the beautiful Risco waterfall. A two tiered waterfall dropping down from the lush mountains in front of you. You can go pretty close to it although the best photos are taken from the hiking trail along the way.

5. Vereda dos Balcões – PR11

Looking for one of the easiest hikes in Madeira? This hiking trail will give you the biggest reward for the smallest effort!

Distance – 3km

Average time – 45 minutes

Starting point – ER103, you will have to park your car alongside the road

Route Type – Out & Back

Difficulty level – Easy

Advised starting time – I visited this hike during the middle of the day and the crowds come and go. There is only 1 viewpoint so after reaching it people go back rather quickly.

At the end of the hiking trail you will reach a panoramic platform. On a clear day it will give you views over Madeira’s most impressive mountain chains such as Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo, Pico das Torres and Pico do Gato. But as you can see below the valley was mostly covered in clouds. This doesn’t however take away from its beauty and it remains an impressive sight.

6. Vereda do Fanal – PR13

This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Madeira and it will lead you through the magical Laurisilva forest. Fanal was one of my favourite parts on the entire island and even though we didn’t do the complete hike I enjoyed just being here so much.

Distance – 5.6km

Average time – 4 hours including extra time at Fanal

Starting point – Fanal parking

Difficulty level – Moderate

Advised starting time – We arrived at sunrise. Even though at the beginning we didn’t have mist it was still beautiful. The first mist started to arrive around 9am.

Driving time from Funchal – 1 hour. Be careful when you’re getting closer to Fanal. The local cows tend to walk on the road (especially in the morning) and they always have the right of way!

The area of the Laurisilva forest is often covered in a thick mist and experiences a lot of rain throughout the year. If you don’t have enough time in your itinerary I would skip the hike and simply park your car at the Fanal parking lot. From here it’s only 2 minutes walking to these magnificent trees. Especially on a misty morning they will evoke a feeling of pure mistery.

While exploring Fanal make sure to watch where you’re going! Not only can the grass be rather muddy, there is also a lot of cow poop.

7. Vereda Do Larano – The most beautiful coastal trail in Madeira

The Vereda do Larano is one of the most scenic hiking trails in Madeira. This point to point hike will take you from Machico to the coastal town of Porto da Cruz and back. And in the meantime you’ll get to enjoy the most epic views over the rugged coastline of Madeira.

Hiking Distance – 13km

Average time – 4 hours

Inclination – 241m

Route Type – Point to point hike. This means that if you want to end up at your car you’ll need to walk the entire trail back, take a taxi, have a second car waiting or you cut the trail in half like we did. We started our hike in Porto da Cruz and followed the trail until the Boca do Risco viewpoint. After relaxing a little and taking in the views we turned around and hiked back to our car. This way the total hiking distance was also 13km.

Difficulty Level – Easy to moderate. There’s almost no elevation gain on the entire trail. The only thing you need to know is that the hiking trail can be narrow at times and you’re walking alongside the cliff. At times there’s a railing to hold onto. But the trail is well maintained and at no time did I ever feel unsafe.

Parking Lot – Teleférico da Fajã do Larano

8. Levada do Caldeirão Verde – PR9 – The most beautiful levada walk on Madeira

The Levada do Caldeirão Verde was one of my favorite levada trails on Madeira. I absolutely loved the immense variety throughout the trail and I highly recommend that if you only have time to do one levada that you do this one! The Levada do Caldeirão Verde will take you through the lush jungles of Madeira, past several waterfalls and will even have you walk through tunnels!

Hiking Distance – 12km

Average Time – 4 hours

Inclination – 100m

Route Type – Out & Back

Difficulty – Easy. The Levada do Caldeirão Verde is also one of the most popular hiking trails in Madeira not just because of its beauty. But also because there’s almost no inclination during the entire trail. There are however a couple of tunnels so one item you absolutely have to bring with you is a proper flashlight or headlamp. At times the ceiling in the tunnel can be pretty low and after a rainy day there will be a couple of puddles for sure So watch out where you step!

Parking Lot – Parque Florestal das Queimadas. It’s a paid parking lot. For a full day you will pay €3.

💡 TIP – During the summer months a lot of the waterfalls on Madeira tend to dry up. So if your main focus of you holiday is to spot as many waterfalls as possible I would advise you to go during the rainy season.

9. Caldeirão do Inferno Hike

The Caldeirão do Inferno waterfall hike is actually an elongation of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and I highly recommend completing the entire trail! By doing so you’ll get to see a couple more spectacular waterfalls and walk through a mesmerizing canyon. I promise that you won’t regret it!

Hiking Distance – 18km

Average Time – 6 hours

Inclination – 300m

Route Type – Out & Back

Difficulty – Easy. The beauty of this hiking trail in Madeira is that it’s relatively easy. There’s only one section of steep stairs that will have you sweating a bit but that’s pretty much it. There are a couple more dark tunnels that you’ll have to go through but nothing dangerous.

Parking Lot – Parque Florestal das Queimadas. It’s a paid parking lot. For a full day you will pay €3.

10. The Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova Waterfall Hike

The Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike is another favorite of mine! Not only will you be face to face with one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira. But you’ll also walk through a stunning valley the entire time. The The Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike is located in Ponta do Sol in the South coast of Madeira.

Hiking Distance – 9km

Average Time – 3 hours

Inclination – There’s only 150 meters of incline. If you start at the Levada do Moinho this will be some stairs halfway the trail. If you start with the higher located Levada Nova you’ll have to climb up the streets of the local village.

Difficulty – Easy. The trail is pretty straight forward the entire time and there is one tunnel where you’ll have to go through. At the upper levada there is no railing protection for most parts but the trail is wide enough. People with severe fear of heights or vertigo might have some problems here.

Route Type – Loop trail

Parking Lot – Igreja da Lombada da Ponta do Sol. The hike starts behind the church and this way you’ll first start with the Levada do Moinho and end with the Levada Nova.

💡 TIP – The Nova and Moinho Waterfall is located on the Levada Nova.

11. Levada dos Tornos Hike in Boaventura

The Levada dos Tornos hike is one of those lesser known levada’s in Madeira. Chances are pretty high that once you start hiking you won’t run into anyone else.

Hiking Distance – 13km but this is a point to point trail. This means that if you want to get back to your car you’ll need to hike those 13km back as well. Another option is to call a taxi, try to catch a ride back or have a second car in place.

Average Time – 4 hours

Inclination – There’s about 180 meters of inclination but it’s all at the start of the hike.

Difficulty – I would rate this hike moderate in difficulty due to its length, especially if you decide to hike all the way back as well. The hiking trail itself is not dangerous at all. The path next to the levada is pretty wide in certain places, you just have to watch where you’re going, especially after a rainy day.

Parking Lot – Levada dos Tornos – Boaventura. You can drive up all the way to the end of the road where you’ll find a very small place to park your car.

💡 TIP – There won’t be a sign that actually says Levada dos Tornos, in fact you’ll see one for a completely other hike which had me very confused in the beginning.

💡 TIP – If you’ve downloaded the Maps.me app from before you will clearly see the levada marked on the map.

12. Vereda do Pico Ruivo – PR1.2

The Vereda do Pico Ruivo is the shortest and fastest way to reach the highest peak of Madeira, the Pico Ruivo. The hike starts at the parking lot of Achada do Teixeira and in about 1 hour you’ll be able to stand on top of the island. Oh, and the views that you’ll get along the way are absolutely out of this world!

Even if you’ve already done the Vereda do Areeiro I still highly recommend making the time to also hike the Vereda do Pico Ruivo.

Hiking Distance – 6km

Average time – 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how long you stay at the top or if you sit down for a drink at the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo.

Inclination – There’s only a couple of hundred meters of incline which makes this hike a lot easier than its bigger sister the Vereda do Areeiro. For most parts the trail is made of stairs which makes it a little less strenuous on your calves.

Difficulty – Easy. This is a hike that is suitable for everyone: families, kids, dogs, you name it. the hike is well sign posted and the hiking trail is wide enough and there are no dangerous drop offs.

Parking Lot – Achada do Teixeira

💡 TIP – Since the hike is so short this is also an ideal spot to watch the sunrise or sunset over Madeira! Make sure to bring your headlamp so you can stay safe while hiking back or up in the dark.

13. Bica Di Cana Viewpoint Hike – One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira

It might sound weird but the Bica Di Cana Viewpoint is one of the most underrated viewpoints on the entire island of Madeira. On a clear day you’ll have views over the St Vicente valley and you’ll be able to see both Pico Ruivo and Pico Areeiro! And you want to know the best part? It’s super easy to reach this viewpoint since it’s one of the shortest hikes on the entire island!

Hiking Distance – 250 meters

Average Time – 10 minutes

Inclination – 30 meters

Parking Lot – Bica da Cana – Pinnacle. There’s a small dirt road where you can park and from there you just need to follow the path on the right that leads up the hill until you reach the epic Bica da Cana viewpoint.

💡 TIP – This is a spectacular place to watch the sunrise. i would advise you to arrive 40 minutes before the sun actually rises so you don’t miss the most beautiful colors in the sky.

14. Pico Ruivo do Paul Viewpoint Hike

The Pico Ruivo do Paul viewpoint hike is located on the beautiful Paul da Serra plateau. The Paul da Serra plateau is located on the West side of Madeira and during Spring it’s covered in yellow and orange flowers. When driving through this beautiful landscapes you won’t just see a couple of wind turbines but also a small hill, covered in these yellow flowers. It’s here that you’ll find the Pico Ruivo do Paul viewpoint.

Hiking Distance – 1.5km

Inclination – 120 meters

Duration – 45 minutes

Parking Lot – Pico Ruivo do Paul. If you’re coming from the Bica da Cana viewpoint you’ll need to make a right turn. It’s not the first parking lot that you see, but the second one which will be on your left. A little further you’ll also see the arrow pointing to the trail and the viewpoint.

Essential Hiking Tips for Madeira

• Make sure to always wear proper hiking shoes when you go hiking in Madeira. Wether thos are trail shoes or more mountaineering shoes like I’m wearing, the choice is yours. Just make sure they have enough grip.
• Download the WalkMe app from Madeira. This is a very insightful app that contains a lot of information on pretty much all of the most well known trails. The app requires a one time purchase of €4.95 which is pretty cheap since you’ll have a map of all of the most beautiful hiking trails in madeira in your hand.
• Pack a rain jacket! Madeira is known for its micro climate. One minute the sun can be shining and 5 minutes later you could get drenched in one of those typical rain storms.
• Bring a headlamp with you! A lot of the levada’s on Madeira also include dark tunnels that you have to walk through. A headlamp will ensure that you can go through safely and won’t bump your head.
• Wear sunscreen! Especially if you go hiking in the mountains of Madeira you’ll need to apply sunscreen regularly or you’ll end up looking like a lobster.
• Webcams – There are a lot of webcams spread out over the entire island. It’s always a good idea to check these before you leave on your next hiking adventure. Like I said Madeira has a micro climate and the weather can be very different every 10km.
• Road Closures – Before heading out it’s also a good idea to check for road closures. During our stay on Madeira there was a very big storm which caused some road and tunnels to close for a day or two.

Map of the Best Hikes and Levada Walks in Madeira

Charlotte

Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.