Madeira Hiking Guide: 7 Trails You Shouldn't Miss

Madeira packs more hiking variety into 740 km² than countries ten times its size: alpine ridges above the clouds, sub-tropical laurel forest, coastal headlands and volcanic cliffs. Trails are well-marked (PR codes), but weather changes quickly and many require some preparation.

These are the seven hikes I send people on most often, picked to cover the full spectrum from cruise-day strolls to bucket-list mountain crossings.

Length: 7 km one-way · Difficulty: hard · Elevation gain: ~600 m · Duration: 3.5–4.5h. The most photographed hike on the island, crossing volcanic ridges between the second and highest peaks. Stairs, tunnels and exposed sections. Start at sunrise to avoid crowds and afternoon cloud.

Most hikers do it one-way and have a driver pick them up at Achada do Teixeira — much easier than walking back.

Length: 8 km return · Difficulty: moderate · Duration: 3h. The far-eastern peninsula. Mars-like red and ochre cliffs over the Atlantic. Almost no shade, so go early or late. Stunning at sunset if you don't mind walking back in the dark.

Covered in detail in our levada guide. Moderate, 13 km return, ends at a waterfall amphitheatre.

Length: 5.6 km return · Difficulty: easy-moderate · Duration: 1.5–2h. If PR1 sounds too hard, this is the shortcut to the top of Madeira (1,862 m). A stone-paved path, no exposure, accessible to most fit walkers.

Covered in detail in our levada guide. Iconic lake-and-waterfalls walk in Rabaçal.

Easy, plateau walk through ancient laurisilva. Magical in fog.

Length: 10 km return · Difficulty: very hard · Duration: 5–6h. Off the main PR network, with steep scrambling sections. The summit gives a 360° view of the island that few visitors ever see. Take a guide.