5 Epic Day Hikes in Madeira, Portugal

We spent nine days in Madeira in July 2024, using a big chunk of this time to hike the island’s top trails. Rather than listing a massive list of hikes, in this guide we list what we think are the 5 best hikes in Madeira, perfect for those with a week or less on the island, who also want to have time to relax at the beach or visit the island’s non-hiking destinations.

Best Hikes in Madeira

This list of hikes in Madeira is in order of our favorite to least favorite. If you only want to do one hike, we recommend the first one, Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço.

All of these trails, except Vereda do Larano, are extremely popular and get very crowded. For all of these hikes we recommend starting early in the morning to secure a parking spot and to enjoy trails before the crowds roll in.

Each of these hikes is a day hike, so they all can be completed in one day.

All hiking distances are round trip, unless noted otherwise.

1 – Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)

Distance: 7.5 km (4.7 miles) | Difficulty: Moderate | Total Ascent: 533 meters (1,750 feet) | Time: 2.5 to 4 hours

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is our favorite hike in Madeira for its unique views and coastal setting. It is one of the most beautiful hikes in Madeira.

The trail takes hikers along Madeira’s eastern peninsula, a rugged stretch of coast that is lined with red cliffs. This peninsula showcases the island’s volcanic origins, as cracks in the rock are filled with dried magma. The area is drier and more desolate than other parts of Madeira, providing a stark contrast to the island’s typically lush and tropical environment.

The hike is moderate in difficulty, with a few short climbs scattered throughout the route. Viewpoints of the coast are located all along the trail, offering a look at the red terrain and volcanic cliffs.

Hikers have the option to tackle the steep final climb at the end to get to the best viewpoint on the trail, a view over the tip of this peninsula.

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail map

View from Ponta do Furado

2 – Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo – Achada do Teixeira (PR1/PR1.2)

Distance: 9.4 km (5.9 miles) | Difficulty: Hard | Total Ascent: 643 meters (2,110 feet) | Time: 3 to 5 hours

This is Madeira’s most popular and most thrilling hike.

We are listing it second because it is also the most crowded trail we have ever hiked (which is saying a lot, because we have hiked all around the world). Yes, this is a gorgeous walk, but midsummer on a clear day, it is also incredibly busy.

The trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo connects two of Madeira’s highest peaks. Hikers traverse narrow trails that scale the cliffs, getting panoramic views of Madeira’s deep valleys and small towns that lie far below. The sheer ridges, cliffside trails, and dark tunnels add a thrill factor to this hike.

With a long steep descent at the beginning, followed by steep staircases up that transition into a winding uphill climb, the hike has a lot of elevation change.

Many hikers watch the sunrise on Pico do Arieiro before starting the hike. Due to the limited parking and popularity of the sunrise view, it’s essential to get there an hour before sunrise to secure a parking spot. Alternatively, you can pre-arrange transportation to drop you off.

There are multiple ways to do this hike, which we outline in our hiking guide, but best way to complete this hike is as a point-to-point route. We recommend starting at Pico do Arieiro, hiking to Pico Ruivo, and then descending to Achada do Teixeira, where pre-arranged transportation picks you up.

This hike gets extremely crowded and for good reason. It is a great trail that keeps you entertained and the views are magnificent. Plus, you get to stand on top of Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak.

This trail can get very congested (photo taken in July)

The views from this hike are spectacular!

Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak

3 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9)

Distance: 11.5 km (7.2 miles) | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Total Ascent: 45 meters (145 feet); mostly flat | Time: 3 to 6 hours

The Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike is an easy out and back trail. The trail is a flat dirt path through the forest that follows levadas, or irrigation channels. Along the way you’ll also pass through several small tunnels that cut through the mountains before ending up at Caldeirão Verde waterfall.

From there you have the option to turn around or continue onward to the Caldeirão do Inferno waterfall.

This is not a hike for the views. The entire time you’ll be within a forest, shaded by trees, with an occasional view across the valley to nearby mountains. However, the trail is still fun to walk along. In many sections the trail is only wide enough for one person, with an irrigation channel on one side and a steep drop-off on the other (protected by a cable guardrail). This, plus the tunnels that are interspersed along the trail, add to the enjoyment of the hike.

Nevertheless, this trail becomes very crowded. With two-way traffic there becomes a lot of traffic jams as hikers end up waiting for others to pass at the narrower sections of the trail. So, we recommend getting an early start to this hike to get ahead of the crowds.

Caldeirão Verde waterfall

4 – Vereda do Larano to Boca do Risco

Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles) | Difficulty: Easy | Total Ascent: 250 meters (820 feet) | Time: 2.5 to 4 hours

If you are looking to escape the crowded hiking trails, then we recommend the Vereda Larano trail.

This off-the-beaten-path hike follows along Maderia’s northern cliffside, offering views over dramatic cliffs and the blue ocean far below. As a mostly flat trail with hardly any people in sight, it’s a serene escape from the island’s main tourist attractions.

This hike is an easy out-and-back hike. The trail is a mostly flat dirt path that takes you through a forest and along an exposed cliffside. There is very little protection along this trail in the way of guardrails so we only recommend it for those who are sure footed and do not have a fear of heights.

If you enjoy hiking and want to escape the crowds, then this hike is certainly worth it. We greatly enjoyed this easy venture and the cliffside views it offers. However if you are short on time, we recommend hiking the other trails listed above first, as they offer more spectacular views of the island.

From the trail, you get occasional breaks in the trees for amazing views like this one.

5 – Levada das 25 Fontes – Levada do Risco Hike (PR6/PR6.1)

Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles) | Difficulty: Moderate | Total Ascent: 385 meters (1,265 feet) | Time: 2.5 to 5 hours

For those who love a waterfall hike, the 25 Fontes Hike is for you.

From the mountain top you hike down into a valley and lush forest. You’ll descend many stone steps, cross a stone bridge, hike along a levada (an irrigation channel), and hike under twisted trees, giving the trail a mystical atmosphere.

Eventually you’ll arrive at 25 Fontes, a hidden lagoon where a plentitude of small waterfalls stream out into a shimmering pool.

25 Fontes

On the way back take the spur trail to the Risco waterfall. It is short and quick, as it is simply a wide flat trail off of the main trail. At the end of the spur trail, you can look out over the impressive waterfall, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in Madeira.

Risco Waterfall

The start of this hike does involve a 2 km (1.2 mile) descent down a paved road. You can hike this segment or pay to ride a shuttle bus that ferries hikers up and down this segment midday.

Even though this is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira, we are listing it 5th, as we thought the other trails were much more interesting. At times, this hike feels like a monotonous walk through a forest with a few stair climbs thrown in here and there. The waterfalls are nice but not an absolute must-see in Madeira, in our opinion.

To learn more about this hike and how to use the shuttle bus in our guide to the Levada das 25 Fontes – Levada do Risco Hike (coming soon).

Two More Hikes in Madeira

There were two hikes that were on our list that we didn’t get to do, either because we couldn’t get there (we sat in several 30-to-45-minute gridlocks on the island, since it was so busy, so we couldn’t get to the Vereda dos Balcões trail) or we ran out of time. We spent nine very busy days in Madeira and never made to the Levada Nova – Levada do Moinho hike, which tells you just how much there is to do in Madeira.

Vereda dos Balcões (PR11)

Distance: 2.9 km (1.8 miles) | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1 hour

This short, sweet hike takes you to Miradouro dos Balcões, a nice viewpoint of the valley and the Laurissilva Forest. Given its short, easy nature, this is a great hike for all ages and ability levels.

However, there is a catch. Getting here and parking is extremely difficult. We sat in a 30-minute gridlock just trying to get to the parking area. We later learned that this is relatively common along this road, so if you have plans to hike this trail, go early in the day.

There are parking lots at Restaurante Snack Bar Faísca and Ribeiro Frio Restaurant. Once these fill, hikers start parallel parking along the road, which takes up one lane of the road, creating the gridlocks and traffic jams.

The other thing to be aware of is that it can be foggy in the morning. Before leaving your hotel, check the live webcam to see is there is fog at the viewpoint. If so, there is no point in doing this hike. 

Vereda dos Balcões | shutterstock.com

Levada Nova – Levada do Moinho

Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles) | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Time: 3 to 5 hours

This relatively easy loop hike takes you along to levadas with a few waterfalls and tunnels along the route. This hike sounds similar to Levada do Caldeirão Verde, since the biggest feature is the walk along the irrigation channels.

Learn more about the hike on the AllTrails website.

Levada Nova – Levada do Moinho | shutterstock.com

Best Hikes in Madeira: On a Map

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go hiking in Madeira?

The best time to go hiking in Madeira is from spring into early summer (April through early June) and early to mid-autumn (mid-September through October). July and August are peak months to visit Madeira. The weather is beautiful at this time, warm and sunny with little rainfall, but crowds on the island and on the trails are enormous during these months. Spring and fall are cooler and there is a bigger threat of rain, but there will be fewer people on the trails, making this a more enjoyable time to go hiking. Winter temperatures remain rather mild, so Madeira is a great destination all year, just be aware that the weather can be the wettest during the winter months.

How much time should I spend in Madeira?

On the quickest of visits, just a few days is all you need. With this limited time, you will have to choose a few things to do from Madeira’s long list of memorable experiences, and this will give you time to just hike one or two trails. Madeira is a great week long getaway and 10 to 14 days gives you enough time to thoroughly explore the island and hike its top trails.

Do I need a car to get around Madeira?

A car is not absolutely necessary but it is helpful. There are small towns, beaches, and hiking trailheads that are difficult to get to using public transportation, and having a car gives you more freedom to get around the island. It is possible to join a tour or use a ride share app to get around, if you prefer to not rent a car.

What are the best hikes in Madeira? 

Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1) is Madeira’s most thrilling and popular hike for good reason. It is a great trail that keeps you entertained and the views are magnificent. Plus, you get to stand on top of Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest peak. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) is another extremely popular hike, with stunning views of the rugged coastline and beaches. These two hikes are must-do’s in Madeira, with Levada do Caldeirão Verde being a third hike to add to your to do list.

If you have any questions about the best hikes in Madeira or if you want to share your favorites, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about Madeira & Portugal

BEST OF PORTUGAL: For a list of must-have experiences in Portugal, take a look at our Portugal Bucket List. Visit the Seven Wonders of Portugal, explore the country’s amazing cuisine and top foods to eat, get started planning your trip with 5 different ways to spend 10 days in Portugal.

LISBON: In our Lisbon Bucket List, we list 40 highlights and hidden gems to visit in Lisbon. Plan your time with our one day in Lisbon itinerary, our 2 day Lisbon itinerary, and our 3 day Lisbon itnerary. Find the perfect place to stay in our Lisbon Hotel Guide and where to eat in our Lisbon Restaurant Guide. And here are 14 amazing day trips to take from Lisbon.

ALGARVE: Get started with our Algarve Bucket List, which lists the best things to do in the Algarve and get suggestions on how to plan your time with our Algarve Itinerary Planner. Learn how to hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, one of the most beautiful walks in Europe. Don’t miss our guides to Ponta da Piedade and Benagil Cave, and find out where to stay in our Algarve Hotel Guide.