LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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10 BEST HIKES IN MADEIRA: BEAUTY BEYOND THE PICO TO PICO.

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We recently visited the tropical island of Madeira. A beautiful island offering incredible opportunities for hikers and nature lovers, close to Portugal. There is an abundance of trails in Madeira, from mountain hikes, to coastal and the famous Levada hikes.

You’ve probably heard of the Pico to Pico hike, the PR1. This is the most famous hike on Madeira, but there is so much more to see for avid hikers than the PR1.

Our ten best hikes in Madeira have been chosen specifically to allow you to see the beauty of hiking, beyond the famous hikes. We’ve selected our ten favourite trails on Madeira, ranging from easy to challenging.

Crucially, we’ve picked hikes that are helpfully dotted around the island, offering a chance to explore as much of Madeira as possible.

You may not have time on your vacation to Madeira to complete all ten of these hikes. But, this is a great excuse to visit Madeira again! We certainly will be.

Don’t have time to read the full post?

About the hikes in Madeira

Madeira has many beautiful landscapes and offers different hiking experiences for all levels. One popular type is along the levadas, but there are also many other types of trails to explore.

Here’s a quick summary of the different types of hike in Madeira.

PR Routes – There are 23 PR routes in Madeira. Each of these may also have variations, for example PR6 is a main route and PR 6.2 is a variation. PR stands for “Pequenas Rotas” or “small route.”

Levada Routes – Levadas are irrigation channels that were built centuries ago to distribute water from the wetter regions of the island to the drier areas. Today, these levadas serve as hiking trails, offering relatively easy paths that wind through lush forests, across mountainsides, and along cliffs.

Vereda Routes – These are walks and hiking trails that are marked and maintained by the Regional Government of Madeira.

Most hiking routes will tend to have a PR number and/ or be referred to as a Vereda or Levada. Within these, you’ll also find coastal routes, mountain routes and forest routes!

Sounds confusing? Not to worry. Read on to find out more about the 10 best hikes in Madeira.

10 Best hikes in Madeira

With so many hikes to choose from, arriving on the island it can be overwhelming. We were so excited to get started on our hunt for the best trails on the island and I think we achieved what we set out to do.

We have whittled down all of the hikes that we completed, explored and researched to create a list of the 10 best hikes in Madeira.

10 Best hikes in Madeira: A Map

To help you get your bearings, here are our ten favourite hikes in Madeira plotted on a map. One of the reasons that we have selected these particular hikes, is that they can be found in different areas of the island – allowing you to explore as much of Madeira as possible.

The green pins correspond to the best easy hikes in Madeira, the orange to the moderate hikes and red to the challenging hikes.

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1/ The peninsular walk: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço PR8

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

If you’re looking for a relatively short hike, but with views that pack a punch, then this is a great one.

We opted to walk this hike on our first day in Madeira, having been urged by John’s parents who had visited the island before, to make sure we absolutely did this hike! We thought we ought to make good on this recommendation. But, we also chose this hike as it’s a shorter and easier hike, so a good option to ease ourselves in.

Ease of walking aside, this is an enthralling hike as it trails along a peninsular to the east of Madeira. As you drive from Funchal, you can see the land jutting out.

It’s hard to believe that there could be a hiking trail leading all the way to the very end of the peninsular – quite literally, where the land meets the sea. As you weave your way along the trail, amidst the undulating terrain, the views either side are simply spectacular.

From interesting rock formations to the water crashing to the cliffs. Waves moving back and forth to reveal black sandy coves. In the summer, there are some swimming spots, where one could easily while away a few hours.

This is a popular and busy hike, and there were moments when the crowds bothered us, as did the noisy drones being used by a few hikers! But amongst it all, we found solace and a quiet place for a picnic overlooking the ocean.

What to expect?

This is an easy hike, in comparison with hikes across the island. However, there is some uneven terrain and parts of the walk require sure footedness.

It is probably best described as “easy to moderate” if you do the entire hike. But, we think that it is an accessible and worthwhile option for most walkers.

The views are available from the beginning of the hike, you don’t need to walk the entire thing. If you’re worried about the distance or the incline, simply walk as far as you can at your own pace and then walk back.

The PR8 is one of the most popular routes on the island and it does get crowded, particularly in the middle of the day. We would not recommend this hike if you don’t like being amongst a crowd, or you’re looking for something “away from it all.”

What to visit near this hike in Madeira

To the East of the island, we didn’t find that many points of interest. Instead, we recommend taking your time with this hike and enjoying the views, or relaxing on the beach during the hike.

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2/ The Secret Lagoon Walk: Levada do Alecrim

Why pick this hike?

The most popular hike in this area is the PR6, which is a walk with 25 waterfalls. Because the PR6 can get quite crowded, we decided to explore nearby PR6.2. This route, is languid, easy and flat without many other walkers.

What we particularly love about this walk, is that it meanders around a levada before ending at a lagoon with a waterfall. This felt, to us, like a totally secret lagoon. A place to relax by the water, enjoy a picnic or take a bracing swim.

What to expect?

This is more a walk than a hike, but still worth taking your time on. The highlight is the lagoon at the end, but we also found it a nice and peaceful walk too.

A nearly flat Levada walk, it took us around 30 minutes each way. Be sure to allow time to enjoy the lagoon at the end – and you may even want to take your swimming stuff for a dip.

Where to visit near to this hike?

Near to this walk, there are a number of other trails including the PR6 if you want to continue hiking. Fanal Park, a beautiful forest area, is around 15 minutes drive and worth a visit. Alternatively, if you are driving back to Funchal, you could head to the West towards Ponta do Pargo and then drive back along the South coast.

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3/ The Panoramic View Walk: PR11 Verada dos Balcoes

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

This is a very short walk, not really a hike at all. But, we’ve included it in this list as it has wonderful views out across the valley. At the end of the trail, you’ll find a balcony with incredible panoramic views. One of the easiest ways to get a great view in Madeira. The walk is also in a lovely village with cosy cafes.

What to expect?

An easy out and back walk, perfect for a gentle stroll. Good for families with little children, or anyone with difficulty hiking hills.

Where to visit near to this hike?

This hike could be a warm up walk to continue on a more challenging hike – the PR1 is nearby, as is the PR10. Alternatively, there are a couple of nice cafes in Ribiero Frio. For an easy day, tuck into a cosy coffee and cake in John’s Poncha Cafe.

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4/ The magical jungle hike: PR9 Caldeirao Verde Levada Trail

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

Most people who have walked extensively on Madeira, would say that if you only walk one Levada walk on the island – make it the PR9 PR9 Caldeirao Verde walk. We would agree with them.

There are many Levada walks around Madeira, but this one feels special. As soon as we arrived to the shady forest, we could sense the magic. It felt like being in a Disney movie, as I wandered under the shady trees of the Laurissilva forest.

Bird song will ring in your ears for the entire walk, only punctuated by the sound of waterfalls. I actually stopped counting how many waterfalls we saw along the way – but the pièce de résistance is the 100m waterfall and the Caldeirão Verde lake that it has created.

What to expect on this hike?

The hike follows a Levada and offers even and sometimes paved ground for walkers. It offers a chance to walk through an enchanting forest, see beautiful birds and ultimately the lagoon of Caldeiro Verde, which has a spectacular waterfall running into it.

It is a fairly flat trail – we measured around 100ft of incline in total. Although it described on All Trails and in other blogs that I have read as 4000ft incline – this is definitely not accurate! We describe this trail as Moderate, but in all honesty it felt quite easy.

We walked there and back in three hours total. The most challenging aspect of this walk is crowd control. Having arrived at 08:30, we were able to walk to the end of the trail without many people around.

But by the time we returned, many hikers were out. As the trail is often single file, negotiating your way through crowds can be tricky. Especially if you don’t fancy falling into the Levada!

The second challenge is the tunnels. If you are squeamish about confined spaces, you may not enjoy walking through the tunnels. I am not great in confined spaces and found the first two OK, but the third (of four) tunnels is quite tight and I did not enjoy it.

Where to visit near to this hike in Madeira?

The area around the hike is a UNESCO biosphere site and there are lots of beautiful spaces to visit, including the Caldeiro Verde hike of course. However, it is worth noting that the hike starts and ends near to the village of Santana.

Santana is known for the ‘casinhas de Santana.’ These are triangle shaped houses with thatched roofs, unique to the area. You can visit the Núcleo de Casas Típicas, which is a collection of typical houses arranged in a sort of museum.

If you still have the legs for it, the coastal hike Vereda do Larano (described below) is around 25 minutes drive and a nice contrast to this hike.

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5/ The quiet Levada Hike: Levada Nova – Levada do Moinho

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

Levada walks in Madera are a peculiarity of the island. They are totally unique as a hiking experience. I hadn’t expected to enjoy them so much, I’m normally the type of hiker who wants a big mountain or a coastal view. But, there’s a quiet charm to the Levada hikes that I fell for. The Levada Moihno to Levada Nova hike in particular has a special place in my heart.

This hike starts high up in quaint villages, offering a chance to see a different side to Madeira. As soon as I arrived to the trail head, I felt a sense of peace and calmness.

The water trickling through the Levada is the only noise you can hear. One of the best things about this hike is that it is not nearly as popular as other Levada hikes on the island. Thus, the tranquility is the real selling point.

At the end of the Moihno trail is a small waterfall, a chance to rest in solitude. On the way back, the hike gets a little more invigorating with fantastic views to the valley and sea. There are a few waterfalls coming over the cliffs and onto the trail itself – be prepared for a mad dash through. Or indeed, a chance to cool down from the heat.

This is a short hike, but special due to the nature that surrounds you, the smells of fresh flowers and foliage and the fact that it is quiet and affords some peace and quiet.

What to expect?

The route begins near to the church. We recommend walking in the direction of Levada Moihno first, as this route is near to the church and it avoids walking up hill through the village. If you walk to Moihno first, then you can return down hill through the village back to your car.

Aside from a few sets of steps, expect a fairly flat route with only around 300ft of incline total.

In general, the route feels safe, but it’s worth noting that you will be walking at a very high altitude and for some with a fear of heights, this may not be suitable. In particular, the Levada Nova section has sections of path that are not protected by a fence. We wouldn’t recommend this for small children.

Parking at the church is normally easy, but if you come later in the day you may need to find a spot elsewhere in the village. A small cafe and some bathrooms are found next to the church/ car park.

Finally, a small warning for any claustrophobic hikers. You will need to walk through one tunnel on the Levada Nova section of this hike. Personally, I hate small spaces but found this tunnel OK as it is on the larger side and you can see the end before you enter!

Where to visit near to this hike in Madeira?

This hike is close the coastal town of Ponta do Sol, a great spot for lunch or taking in the scenic spots.

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6/ The Epic Coastal Hike: Vereda do Larano – Boca de Risco

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

We loved hiking the PR8 along the peninsular to the East of Madeira, but we were a little overwhelmed by how busy it was. Subsequently, we went in search of an alternative – a fabulous coastal walk, but with less crowds. Thankfully, we found the Vereda do Larano hike.

If you want a chance to see epic ocean views, but with fewer hikes about than the PR8, then this is a hike we would recommend to you.

Found to the North East of the island, are the Machico hills and the sweeping coast line. High on the hills, you can walk to see all the way out to the Peninsular of Ponta de São Lourenço and along the coast to Porta da Cruz.

We would recommend this hike both for the incredible views and to offer a chance to visit the coast near to the route.

What to expect?

The terrain is easy going, with a few steps up and down and a little bit of undulation. This is a much quieter hike than the PR8 and a great choice if you only have time for one coastal hike. That said, there are always people on the hike, so you won’t be alone entirely.

One thing to note, is that those with a fear of heights may not be a fan of this hike. There are many steep drops, often without barriers.

Personally, we did not feel unsafe at all. The path is solid and wide enough to stay away from the edge. But, you may want to avoid this one if you have small children or anyone nervous of heights in your group.

Although we have described this hike as moderate, this is mainly because of the distance and steep drops. But, in reality it is fairly flat and will only take a few hours – so could be attempted by anyone with sure footedness and a capacity for heights.

Where to visit near to this hike in Madeira?

After the hike, if you want to cool off head to Praia de Maiata. This beach in Porta da Cruz is a few minutes drive from the end of the hike. A stunning surf beach, and a great place to enjoy a coffee or just relax after your walk.

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7/ The Fanal Park Hike – PR14 Levada dos Cedros – PR13 Vereda do Fanal

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

Fanal is a park area towards the west of Madeira, part of the indigenous Laurissilva forest and with trees that are centuries old.

It is an open area of space, with fantastic views, and a completely different contrast to the more tropical parts of the island. Here you can find cows grazing, stunning Til trees and if you visit when there is mist it takes on an enchanted and atmospheric quality.

We were really keen to pick a hike in the Fanal area, but many of them are short or involve road walking. After much research, we discovered the PR14 to PR13 circuit.

The benefits of this walk are that it is a cirular walk, with a good length to allow a few hours of hiking. Towards the end of the hike, you arrive at Fanal. It feels as though you’ve worked to get there and enjoy the views.

What to expect?

Many people walk in Fanal and on the many routes around this area. We liked the PR14 to PR13 combination because it remains fairly quiet. You can expect to see a few hikers on the route, but not nearly as many as you will when you reach Fanal.

The route begins with some steep stairs down, before meandering through the forest. It is best to navigate this route with All Trails, or a similar app, as you can easily miss the turning from the PR14 to the PR13. The second half of the hike involves more ascent, but it is gradual and not too challenging.

When you arrive to Fanal, the scenery completely changes. It can take on a mystical quality if you visit with certain weather. We had fabulous blue skies and enjoyed the views out across the valley and to the sea.

Where to visit near to this hike in Madeira?

The drive to this hike takes quite a long time from Funchal – around 55 minutes. It is worth taking time to explore the North West and North coast of the island.

After the hike, and some time in Fanal, we recommend driving around 20 minutes to Porto Moniz in the top corner of the island. This is a busy resort town with one of the most spectacular tidal pools.

It has won awards for being the best one in Europe. We spent some time in this town, enjoying an icecream and watching the sea crashing on the cliffs.

From Porto Moniz, a further ten minutes drive to the East will take you to Seixal. If you skipped the tidal pool in Porto Moniz, we recommend going for a swim in the Seixal tidal pool. There are two pools, both of which are free to enter. Relaxing in this natural pool is a wonderful way to relax after a hike!

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8/ The Long Hike With Everything: PR17 – Bica da Cana

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

We loved this hike on Madeira for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a long and challenging hike. The type of hike that equals a good day out and makes you feel that you’ve worked hard enough to deserve quite a few treats in the evening. Secondly, it has a little bit of everything all rolled into one long trail.

One minute you’re scrambling up rocks to get to the incredible Folhadal Waterfall and the next you’re putting on your head torch to navigate a long dark tunnel.

The majority of the first half of this hike is in lush forest. You’ll enjoy meandering along the Levada, taking in the scent of greenery and the sight of walls that look as though they are coming alive with plants.

As the hike is one of the quieter Levada walks, you’re unlikely to see other folk and instead will have a chance to really breath it all in. After some steps down and two tunnels you’ll reach a steep climb up steps (I counted around 500!)

The second half of the hike opens up to more view points, including a famous view over Pico Ruivo and the Nuns Valley at Bica de Cana.

There is incredible scenery all the way back, with some less exciting road walking to finish the hike. But before this, you’ll have to duck and dive under waterfalls that cross your path. Walking the PR17 is a constant adventure.

What to expect?

Generally, the terrain is easy to navigate. The challenge comes from the incline and length of the walk.

With regards to the tunnels, I would not recommend this walk for anyone with severe phobia of small spaces. That said, there are only two tunnels both near to the start of the hike. Each of them is long, the second longer than the first – you’ll be in the tunnels for around 4 to 5 minutes.

Taller hikers will need to hunch, at 5ft3 I had plenty of head room. The Levada runs through the tunnels, so although the overall tunnel is not narrow, the space to walk is restricted.

There are sections on the route to Bica da Cana and Folhadal Waterfall where the route juts out and you’ll visit the view points before returning to the main route. Both are incredible and well worth the slight detour. The distance I’ve referenced above includes these extra bits.

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9/ The Insta Famous Hike: PR1 Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruiva

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

The PR1, also known as Vereda do Areeiro, stands as a renowned hiking trail in Madeira, Portugal, offering magnificent panoramic vistas of the rugged mountain landscapes.

Starting from Pico do Areeiro, the third-highest peak on the island, this trail presents challenging terrain, including steep ascents and narrow ridges.

For intrepid hikers, the ultimate delight awaits at Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak at 1,861 meters, offering awe-inspiring 360-degree views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean.

There are many hikes in Madeira with comparable beauty and interest, but the PR1 is unique as a mountain peak to peak hike.

What to expect?

Expect a lot of people! In all seriousness, this hike has become so “insta famous” that it now incredibly popular. We arrived at 07:00 just before sun rise and the car parks were nearly full.

Experienced hikers might find the crowds a little frustrating as it is not really possible to overtake slower paced walkers.

There are many steps, which is the most challenging aspect of this hike. The distance is very manageable. But due to crowds and steps, the hike can take longer than you expect.

Anyone without a head for heights may not enjoy this walk. Many of the steps can feel a little rickety, and the altitude is extremely high.

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10/ The Full Monte: Poiso – Pico Alto – Palacio do Monte

Why pick this hike in Madeira?

We stumbled upon this delight of a hike almost by accident and were keen to investigate. It begins in Poiso Plateau, a central mountainous area of the island. This is a wonderful view point with picnic areas, bio diversity and reforestation.

From here, the hike follows a meandering trail down hill towards Pico Alto. The hike does not climb the mountain of Pico Alto, one of the highest in the region, but it offers fantastic views towards the sea and Funchal.

Eventually, the trail reaches the delightful town of Monte, where you can spend a few hours. Unfortunately, you then have to climb back up the hill to your parking spot! It would also be possible to walk this hike in reverse, parking in Monte and returning there.

We enjoyed this hike because we didn’t see any other walkers on the entire route. It was just us, splendid views and lots of sheep.

What to expect?

The trail is challenging just due to the length and the slow climb back up the hill. But it is easy under foot and a meandering descent down.

Where to visit near this hike in Madeira?

The hike takes you down to the beautiful village of Monte. If you have time, we recommend visiting the botanical gardens in the Palace of Monte as well as visiting the church. There are also some lovely spots for lunch.

Monte is also the home to the famous Toboggan route down to Funchal. Obviously if your car is parked at the top of this trail, you may not have the energy to take a Toboggan down to Funchal, return up in the cable car and then hike all the way back to the top of the trail! But, this is an option if you wanted to do it.

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Getting around the island for hiking

The best way to get around the island for hiking is to drive with a hike car. This is how we travelled around the island – you can find our guide to driving in Madeira here.

Hiring a car is inexpensive. Madeira is relatively easy to drive around once you get used to it and the roads tend to be in great condition.

Hiking in Madeira without a car

If you want to do one or two hikes in Madeira and you don’t plan to hire a car, this is possible. The PR10, PR8 and a few others can be accessed with public transport.

You can get to the PR1 and other popular hikes by booking a tour of private transport.

In all honesty, we wouldn’t recommend planning a full on “hiking holiday” in Madeira unless you plan to drive or you are comfortable spending money on taxis and tours.

Top Tips for Hiking in Madeira

Here are our top tips for getting the most from your trip and hiking in Madeira:

1. Try to do a variety of hikes, especially including some of the quieter ones, which will give a totally different experience.
2. Always dress appropriately, with proper hiking footwear. Many tourists underestimate the hikes and wear totally the wrong footwear. This can be dangerous.
3. Remember, it can get very hot on the trails – bring hats, sunscreen and plenty of water.
4. Weather can change quickly – always have layers, including rain jackets.
5. Hike within your limits – be safe, don’t set off too late in the day and don’t wander off trails
6. Make sure you have appropriate navigation and safety tools, a battery pack for your phone and a torch.
7. Stay safe by telling people where you are going. Tourist rescues on hiking trails in Madeira are frequent and trails can be dangerous.
8. Arrive early to hikes if you can – most hikers start early and for the most popular hikes it is best to walk with the traffic.

Where to stay for hiking in Madeira

It can be difficult to decide exactly where to stay on Madeira to get the best from your hiking holiday. Here are a few of our recommendations to help you decide.

Funchal

Funchal is the capital of the island and is where we chose to base ourselves for hiking. We really enjoyed the city, which has a good blend of culture, bars, restaurants and green space. Although we hiked every day, we also appreciated the chance to relax in one of Funchal’s many quaint streets with a glass of wine in the evening.

If you’re planning to hike extensively and you want to have one base on the island, Funchal is a good choice. It is possible to park in one of the multi-story car parks overnight (they are reasonably priced at around 4 Euros for 24 hours.)

If you don’t have a car, Funchal is the best chance to get public transport and taxis or tours to see the rest of the island.

Funchal is also the best choice for travellers who want to complete a few hikes on the island but combine this with sight seeing too.

Machicho

Machicho is the best place to stay to explore the hikes to the South East of the island. It is a large town, with lots of accommodation and close to the PR8 and the Coastal Walk to the North West.

Find accommodation in Machicho here.

Seixal

Seixal is a small coastal village and one of our favourite places on Madeira, not least because it has a beautiful tidal pool and a beach. This is a good location for a couple of days and provides a chance to explore hikes inland, around Fanal. Here are some recommendations:

Find accommodation in Seixal here.

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case. Find yours on here and get the travelling started!

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