From lush, tropical scenery to ancient Laurisilva forests to arid plains and volcanic stone beaches, the scenery in Madeira is anything but dull – and dozens (in fact, hundreds) of incredible trails make it a top hiking destination in Europe.
I really feel one of the best ways to experience the natural landscapes, flora and fauna of Madeira island is while hiking. That’s especially true for levada hikes, which are walks that follow ancient man-made waterways that move fresh mountain water from the spring to sea level.
Half-day hikes are my sweet spot, and on two trips to Madeira I’ve ticked off four popular hikes (including three levada hikes!) that I can wholeheartedly recommend the following from my personal experience.
Tip: To reach these hikes you’ll need to rent a car or hire a hiking guide. If you’re a confident driver, I like to use discovercars to search both local and international companies to find the best deal. Last trip we rented from RentX through discovercars and had a great experience.
If you don’t rent a car, there are plenty of well-priced small-group Madeira hiking guides you can join so you don’t miss out on these epic hikes in nature.
I’d love your thoughts on which hike I should do next time! Leave me a comment at the bottom.
What is a leveda or vereda?
On the volcanic and rocky island of Madeira, the historic levadas are one of its great attractions. These unique irrigation channels were built in the 16th century to transport water from the lush, rainy north to the drier south of Madeira. Each of these channels would have a narrow maintenance path alongside them, which have now become some of the island’s most popular and scenic hiking trails.
What’s great about levadas is that these paths often lead to a waterfall or water source, and the whole time you’re hiking alongside a stream of running fresh water. The relatively flat pathways are accessible and will take you through laurel forests, tunnels, along high edges, and through valleys.
Veredas are just regular hiking trails.
The best hikes in Madeira
Here are the four best hikes I’ve done on Madeira, plus below I’ve included my wishlist for next time and some tips for hiking on the islands.
The short and easy hike: PR 11 – Vereda dos Balcões
Difficulty level – Easy
Distance – 3km
Time – 45 minutes
Starting point – Park on the ER103 road.
Route type – out and back
Details – Official website
PR 11 Vereda dos Balcões is one of the easiest and most rewarding walks on Madeira. It’s a simple, mostly flat trail that leads to a lookout where — if the weather is right — you’ll enjoy views of craggy peaks and deep untouched valleys. The walk itself is a wide trail that follows a levada through forest, rainforest, and past a cute cafe.
In fact the drive to reach the starting point – Ribeiro Frio – is worth the hike alone. To get here you have to drive very windy roads through lush rural areas. I think it’s one of the most scenic drives on the island.
I’ve done this hike twice now, and the second experience was better. The first time we went mid-morning and encountered many coaches of tourists who were brought here to do the short but sweet hike. The second time we arrived around 4.30pm and it was relatively quiet and very easy to park.
It only takes 20-25 minutes to trek the 1.5km trail and reach the lookout. The first time we arrived to find a thick cloud with visibility no more than 1 metre. We waited a while, but the cloud didn’t lift (and nor did the crowds). The second time, it was misty but we could see all the valleys.
Tip: Park along the road and pack some snacks. It’s only a short hike, but if the lookout is packed people pile in and out and you can wait for a quieter patch to appreciate the serenity and beauty of Madeira. Please don’t be silly and feed the birds at the end – these are native wildlife.
The most popular hike: PR 6 – Levada das 25 Fontes
Difficulty level – Easy to moderate
Distance – 9km
Inclination – 300m
Time – 3.5-4 hours
Starting point – Parking available off the ER110 road.
Route type – out and back
What to pack – water, snacks, camera
Tips – start early around 8am to avoid tour groups. This trail is family friendly.
Details – Official website
The lush Levada das 25 Fontes hike is one of the most famous hikes on Madeira Island. This trail follows a flowing levada to a beautiful spot where 25 little waterfalls flow into a pool.
We’re not early risers, but knowing this was a popular hike we decided to arrive early – just after 8am – to tackle the 3-4 hour trail. Boy, I’m glad we did. On arrival I was disappointed to see a dozen cars already in the car park, but on the return we arrived to an overflowing car park.
The hike itself is magnificent. You drop into a valley and wander through the vibrant green Laurisilva forest, following a levada along most of the way. At the end of the hike you reach a brilliant blue pool with one great waterfall and 25 or so little waterfalls gushing into it. We took some photos and sat here for quite a while, which meant watching the endpoint fill up as hikers arrived en masse.
The trouble with these out-and-back levada hikes is that they get skinny in parts, meaning you have to shimmy past people coming the opposite direction. The return trip was trickier, so I recommend going early to beat the tour groups and get the best experience – if you’re not a confident driver, I’ve popped a couple of top-rated guided experiences below.
Find out where to eat in Madeira with my guide.
The coastal hike: PR 8 – Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
Difficulty level – Easy to moderate
Distance – 7.2km
Inclination – 100m
Time – 2.5 – 3 hours
Starting point – Baía d’Abra / Casa do Sardinha
Route type – out and back
What to pack – water, snacks, camera, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, other sun protection
Tips – avoid the peak of the day as there is no shade. This trail is family-friendly.
Details – Official website
On the eastern edge of Madeira Island lies Ponta de São Lourenço, where strong northern winds and a semi-arid climate have made this peninsula look otherworldly. It creates a stark contrast between this arid coastal hike, that traverses a volcanic landscape of rugged basalt and limestone cliffs, and the levada hikes alongside forests of ferns and Laurisilva.
Since there is no shade, it’s worth setting off relatively early to trek along this long, thin peninsula without the beating midday sun. Along the hike you’ll take in dramatic coastal and cliff scenery, which ends at a café and bar where you can reward yourself with an ice cold Coral beer or go for a swim at Sardinha Port beach.
In spring it was a gorgeous walk with wildflowers of all varieties covering the ground. If the day is clear, you’ll be able to see the Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) and Madeira’s other inhabited island, Porto Santo.
This popular hike is relatively easy to reach if you don’t rent a car. You can take the 113 bus from Funchal (it takes around 75 minutes), organise a private transfer or guide (see below), or drive yourself there in 40 minutes.
The quieter rainforest hike (with tunnels): PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Difficulty level – Easy to moderate
Distance – 12km
Inclination – 100m
Time – 4 hours
Starting point – Parque Florestal das Queimadas. Paid parking – around €4.
Route type – out and back
What to pack – water, snacks, camera, torch or headlight
Tips – Go early to avoid crowds. This trail is family-friendly.
Details – Official website
I never thought I’d be hiking alongside fish, but Madeira is full of surprises. Take a peak in the flowing, clear levada that follows the PR9 to Caldeirão Verde and you’ll see little fish swimming alongside you in the current.
Of all the hikes I’ve done on Madeira Island, this one is my favourite. This out-and-back trail starts like a fairytale in Parque Florestal das Queimadas, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Hansel & Gretel. Wander past the cute thatched-roof buildings, say hello to the geese and cats, and follow the levada stream into the Laurissilva forest. You’ll wander through lush oak trees, past verdant ferns, and pass through four tunnels as you follow the levada, built in the 18th century to take water to farms in Faial.
I’d read you need to take head lamps for these tunnels, so I bought one for the trip – and while it was better to have one, you could do this hike with just a phone torch (as the three people I hiked with did). The first tunnel was a short dash. The second was flooded and required us to climb onto the levada wall. The third has extremely low ceilings and was quite muddy inside. The fourth was short with windows to valley views!
Our efforts were rewarded when we reached Caldeirão Verde, the “green cauldron”, around two hours later. Here a waterfall with a drop of around 100m falls into a clear pool surrounded by steep green walls. Look up and see you are in the mouth of a cauldron on this Madeira hiking trail!
Online, I noticed the length and timings for this Madeira hike were inconsistent. Even the official tourism website says it will take 6.5 hours, but confirming with my fitness app, it took us around 1h45-2h each way – so total time was 4.5 hours with a generous snack break at the falls.
The path was fairly flat, making this longer trek very suitable for active families. On the return we did notice some families with younger kids stopped at closer waterfalls you find along the track – a good option if you’re testing their abilities.
Tips for hiking levadas in Madeira
Before setting off, check that your trail is open. IFCN has the most up-to-date trail information and you can find a helpful table on the official website telling you which trails are open or closed. I also find the tourism board’s website Visit Madeira is updated regularly too. For example, I was hoping to hike Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s tallest peak on my visit but the trail was closed due to wildfires in late summer of 2024. I’ve seen the trails that were shut due to safety concerns gradually reopen again.
Since hiking paths, especially alongside the levadas, in Madeira can be narrow and sometimes run along steep drops, it’s essential to be cautious as you walk. Consider packing:
- Good footwear: Wear sturdy hiking shoes or active sneakers, as parts of the trails can be slippery, especially in shaded or forested sections.
- Water & snacks:
- Flashlight: Some levada trails, like Levada do Caldeirão Verde, include tunnels where a flashlight or headlamp is helpful (though I found a phone torch was enough).
Before you go….
- Check the weather: Weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains, so bring layers and check the forecast before setting out. Madeira has a network of webcams.
- Let someone know where you are: I found mobile phone coverage to be good on the trails, but if you are out there independently, it may be worth letting your hotel know where you are and when you expect to return.
Next Madeira hikes on my list…
Next time I visit Madeira (which I’m sure will be soon as flights between Lisbon and Funchal are very affordable and frequent) I am eyeing up a few more hikes.
On my second trip I really wanted to tackle Madeira’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo, but the late summer fires of 2024 closed some of the trail. I believe it is mostly open again, but you can check all trails with IFCN, who have the most up-to-date trail information in a table.
I’d also love to trek the PR10 Levada do Furado, a one-way hike from Ribeiro Frio (one of my favourite parts of the island) to Portela town.
Where to stay in Madeira for hiking
It depends on whether you’ll have a car or not. If you rent a car (which I strongly recommend, but only for confident drivers), you can stay anywhere on the island and then drive to the starting point. I like to use discovercars to search both local and international companies to find the best deal. Last trip we rented from RentX through discovercars and had a great experience.
If you don’t plan to rent a car, then you’ll be reliant on private guides or the bus network. If this is the case, I’d recommend staying in Funchal, the island capital.
Other Madeira Island hiking questions
What is the most beautiful walk in Madeira?
It depends on your interests and ability. Some say it’s the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, which takes you above the clouds, while others love any levada hike as it’s peaceful hiking alongside a running stream of freshwater.
What is the number one hike in Madeira?
I think the most popular hike in Madeira would be either the PR 6 – Levada das 25 Fontes, which I’ve written about above. Or the PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro peak hike, which is very difficult.
What are the best months to hike in Madeira?
Madeira is sub-tropical and has a relatively warm – without being too hot – climate year-round. I’d say autumn and spring would be the best time to hike in Madeira. This time should be a little bit quieter than during summer. As for waterfalls, I think the scenery was more lush during my May visit than my October visit.
How difficult are hikes in Madeira?
The first hike I listed here is super easy, and I dare say you could almost do it with a pram. Others are very hard – like the climb to the peak of Pico Ruivo. Choose a hike suitable to your ability.
That’s my guide to hiking trails in Madeira. Which one should I do next visit? Leave me a comment….
Keep reading…
- Ultimate guide to exploring Madeira Island
- It’s worth a flight to Madeira just to eat these espetadas
- Itinerary: Our magical 5-day Madeira Island road trip
- What to eat and drink in Madeira: the best local dishes to try
- Where to eat and drink in Madeira
- 8 best poncha bars on Madeira Island
- Best medieval and historic events in Portugal
- Food Festival Guide: Best Gastronomic Events in Portugal
