Hiking in Madeira is a must if you want to explore the island’s most beautiful places. The canyons, impressive landscapes and waterfalls that are hidden in the lush forests and mountains can’t be seen from the road. Especially the levada walks are very popular. There are about 2500 kms of levadas (irrigation canals) so if I tell you there are over 100 hikes spread over the Portuguese island, you know I don’t exagerate. In a week time I wasn’t able to do all these hikes (imagine that!) but I did some pretty impressive walks that I really want to share with you!
Hiking in Madeira: most beautiful walks you must do
Vereda do Arieiro (PR1), a top mountain hike in Madeira!
This is probably the hardest hike on the island leading you from Pico do Arieiro (1818 m) to Pico Ruivo (1862 m) (and back) with a height difference of 320 meters (1542 m – 1862 m). Websites say it takes about 3,5 hours to do the walk. But if you really want to enjoy the sights and take photos like I do, it will take a day (It took me from 9 am to 4pm and I stopped after the last tunnel because I heard I had done the most beautiful part and you can reach Pico do Ruivo from Achada do Teixera). It’s a challenging walk for those who are afraid of heights and if you are in bad physical shape (lots of climbing and difficult stairs) . So I can say I’m very proud I did it. The views on your way are absolutely breathtaking and you’re mostly above the clouds. This made me feel as if I could rule the world. If you have a good physical condition don’t hesitate to do this hike! You won’t be disappointed.
Starting point: Pico do Arieiro
Distance: 12 km
Levada do Caldeirao Verde (PR9) – a must when hiking in Madeira!
Hiking in Madeira also means waterfall chasing! So of course I picked this hike because it ends with a waterfall! What I didn’t know is that there were waterfalls on the way to the Caldeirao Verde as well! So this was a nice surprise! This hike doesn’t have that much climbing to do, but there are some parts that are quite scary when you’re afraid of heights and it also has some tunnels that are very long and dark! So don’t forget your flash light and watch out for your head! I loved the end point which is a “cauldron” with a massive waterfall of 100 m.
Starting point: Queimadas near Santana
Distance: 13 km
Levada das 25 Fontes / Levada do Risco (PR6 & 6.1), the most popular trail in Madeira
These two hikes don’t take that long so they can be easily combined (at a certain point the path splits, so after you did 25 Fontes you just return to the crossing and then turn to Risco) Make sure to arrive very early, because around 10 am busses full of tourists arrive to do these hikes in groups of 30. How you can enjoy nature this way is something I can’t understand, but if you want to avoid the crowds, go early like I did and you’ll have the 25 Fontes all to yourself! The 25 Fontes is a 30 m waterfall of many different streams in a “cauldron” just like Caldeirao Verde. The impressive Risco waterfall makes a drop of 100 m and can only be seen from a path. You can’t reach the bottom (unfortunately). These hikes are very easy. The only “hard” part is the stairs to get back from 25 Fontes.
Starting point: Rabaçal
Distance: 9,2 km
Vereda da Ponta de Sao Lourenço (PR 8) – a walk with fantastic coastal views
This time no waterfall, but a dramatic and extraordinary walk along the cliffs of the narrow peninsula of Sao Lourenço formed by lava. Strong winds, the burning sun and the many stairs are the challenge here. The rock formations and the color contrast with the blue wild ocean water are a true sight to see! I loved this walk and nature here is rough and unspoiled.
Starting point: E.R. 109 (Baía d’Abra – Caniçal)
Distance: 8 km
Vereda do Pico Ruivo (PR 1.2) – hiking above the clouds
Since I didn’t make it to Pico Ruivo from Pico do Arieiro I walked up to Pico Ruivo from the parking lot of Achada do Teixera. (Hiking in Madeira doesn’t always need to be hard!) This hike is of moderate difficulty with awesome views above the clouds. Never hesitate to take pictures and never think, I’ll take the picture on my way back, because in less than an hour the weather can change and clouds can obstruct the view! In the beginning find the path to the Homem Em Pe rock formation.
Starting point: Achada do Teixera
Distance: 5,6 km
Hiking in Madeira: gear you’ll need
Watch my video about these hikes
Pin these hikes in Madeira for later
If you like my pictures I suggest to follow my Instagram account where you can find a lot more!
These hikes are going into my bucket list for sure! I’m not much of a hiker at the moment, but when I get more adept to hiking… so doing these!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
Hi, Joëlle 🙂
Really nice article and i totally agree with your vision. I would just add one more that is called Vereda do Larano. You can check the view here in this photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQqhpOqFwh2 Its a walk near the coast and its really pleasant 🙂
About PR1 (Pico do Arieiro-Pico Ruivo) its true that most “websites say it takes about 3,5 hours to do the walk” but its only Pico do Arieiro-Pico Ruivo and they are not taking into account coming back so it would be double that time and i would say 6h-7h: https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=2012722
Its a really pleasure to read your article 🙂 You can check some more nice videos and pictures of Madeira in our page: http://www.facebook.com/madeiraislandpage/
Hi
Trekking along the waterfall is astonishing as well as intimidating. I don’t have to say how alluring the pics are. I hope you had a great time in Madeira
Lovely post.
thanks! You should really go there! 🙂
Hi Joelle,
I choose Madeira to be the next destination for my trips, thanks for your posts. I already booked the flights. Where did you stayed when you visited Madeira? How did you get to the starting points of the hiking routes? For example the first hike VEREDA DO AREEIRO, was the overall length about 12 km and did you turn around at some point? Every tip for my trip is golden so you are welcome to tell everything you think I should know.
Hi!
Thanks!
You can find all info in my Madeira travel guide on this blog!
Hi!
Nice pictures and lovely blog. I really want to go to madeira, but I will be going alone, and you mentioned that driving there can be challenging which makes me hesitating. I’m worried I might be too nervous if it gets really steep and narrow. Is there any other way of getting around?
Just go! That’s what I did!
You could take a taxi but that is expensive…
This is a very nice post – thank you for sharing. I like your pictures and will definitely add some of these walks to my list for the next Madeira visit.
Nice post!
This summer I will visit Madeira! Like to do those hikes. How can I find those numbers of the levadas at Madeira? On a map? Is it easy to find?
Hi Patrick, Thanks for your comment! You can find the numbers of the hikes on every Madeira hiking site!
Hi Joelle,
Great site and I love this post!
I’m going to Madeira tomorrow and I’m going to do the Vereda do Arieiro (PR1) hike.
Where exactly is the starting point? is it clearly marked?
Also, is this hike circular or do you need to walk back again?
Keep up the great work on this site 🙂
Elliot
Hi!
You’ll easily find the starting point!
it’s not circular so you have to go all the way back the same way!
but it’s worth it!
Enjoy!!
Hi,
Realy loved your pictures. Hope to try the hikes you have discribed. I’m going to Madiera next week (mid Nivember) when were you there?
Mia
Hi!
Thanks!
I was there in May 2017
Hi Joelle!
I’m thinking of traveling to Madeira by myself in February to celebrate my 30th birthday with a fantastic solo trip. I love to hike and am in decent shape, however, I have a paralyzing fear of snakes and creepy crawlies. As far as you know, are there any poisonous creatures underfoot that I’d have to worry about coming across while being alone? I’d appreciate any insight and a list of supplies you’d recommend to have with. Thank you so much!
Hi Natalie,
Except for humans and birds I never witnessed any living creature on my hikes so don’t worry 🙂
Enjoy your trip!
Hello,
Thank you for your post! Very nice photos 🙂 I have one question about Vereda do Arieiro (PR1). You say “I stopped after the last tunnel because I heard I had done the most beautiful part and you can reach Pico do Ruivo from Achada do Teixera”. I wonder how it is possible to know/recognise that you reach the last tunnel? Is that tunnel special somehow or you just have to count tunnels you’ve crossed? I know, stupid question :))
I found out because I spoke with other hikers during the hike. 🙂
I also used the hiking itinerary as stated in the article, so you know exactly where you are.
Hi,
Do you know how we can get to Pico do Aireiro if we don’t hire a car?
Is there some bus going this direction? I only found taxi but of course that will end up costing quite a lot.
Thank you for your tips!
Hi!
I don’t think public transport goes there. It’s either a rental car, a taxi or a group tour.
I strongly recommend renting a car on Madeira or you won’t be able to reach all the good stuff!
Public transport don’t go there, but it reaches Poiso (if you take it from Funchal) and from Poiso you can walk 1h30m or 2h to to Pico do Arieiro or in alternative in Poiso you can hitchike up that is super easy since that road is 99% used by tourists go to Pico do Arieiro and they surely will stop to give you a ride to the top.
Feel free to ask any question you have in our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/madeiraislandgroup/ to the other 8000 tourists that already travelled to Madeira 🙂
Hello from south korea! I was really surprised and impressed by your articles, thank you so much!
and I got a dream from you! so I am on the plan to visit there a month later, but its not enough time for it..
so, may I ask about the route combining with PR9 and PR6, 6.1 in 1day? is there any transportation between these places? I searched it every single of google, but couldnt find anything, but just in your movies and articles.
if you know anything about it or any clue for me, please help me as my dreams! thanks a ton again for your info. and inspration. hope you always be happy in anywhere.
I am regularly walking in Madeira !
http://blog.seniorennet.be/madeirawandelgezelschap/
best regards
Luc Cabt
Great pix! Just like being there (kinda). It looks like if you stumble on some of those trails, you’re all done.
Thanks!
Yes, you really need to watch your step 🙂