So you’re thinking of booking a trip to Madeira? In this article I will be doing a deep dive into my 5 favourite hikes in Madeira, so by the end you will have enough information to get you started on your trip.
Madeira is a small Island just off mainland Portugal. It is an absolute haven for nature lovers and hikers. It has a fantastic combination of stunning mountains, tropical forests, and a breathtaking coastline so there are plenty of incredible outdoor spots to choose from.
Before we begin
I spent a week in Madeira and hired a car for most of it, if you want to explore as much of the island as possible I would highly recommend you do this and prebook to avoid disappointment. I did not pre-book and disappointingly had to pay quite a lot for my rental car. Don’t be like me.
An app I would recommend is called ‘walkme’ or ‘walking in Madeira’. It costs about £4 to unlock all of the hikes along with their interactive GPS maps but trust me it will save you so much time and effort.
Cheap car hire in Madeira
I always use Discover Cars where possible. They will search through hundreds of providers and find the cheapest rates going. Always book a month in advanced to get their best prices.
Cheap flights to Madeira
WayAway searches the web for the cheapest flights possible. It also currently offers cash back on travel expenses when you book through them.
Top 5 hikes in Maderia:
- Pico Do Areiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1)
- Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
- Levada dos 25 Fontes (PR6)
- Caldeirão Verde/Caldeirao Inferno (PR9)
- Pico Ruivo (PR1.2)
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1)
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is probably the most popular hiking trail on Madeira Island, and also my favourite, for a few reasons. The trail begins at the third highest peak on the island, Pico do Arieiro, and takes you on an epic journey through mountainous terrain, dark tunnels and stunning vistas until you reach the highest peak – Pico Ruivo.
The best way to tackle this hike is to arrive at Pico do Arieiro early and watch the sunrise, then continue from there. Madiera island’s all-year tropical climate means that cloud inversions on the mountains are very common.
Check the weather before you go and try to land on a day that has high humidity along with warmer temperatures at higher elevations. The conditions were perfect when I went, the clouds were still inverted when I reached Pico Ruivo, which is why it takes number 1 spot on my favourite hikes in Madeira.
This is a point-to-point hike so be aware that you will need to track back along the same trail to get back to your car. Another option would be to book a transfer to the car park at Pico do Arieiro and back from the car park at Pico Ruivo.
This is a challenging hike with some steep sections and is a bit of an endurance test. There are dark tunnels, narrow paths and a few ladders to get through. This route is around 12km and can take 4-6 hours depending on skill and how long you spend taking in those incredible views.
Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
Ponta de São Lourenço is tucked away to the far east of the island. This beautiful peninsula is home to some stunning coastal scenery and is another great place to catch the sunrise if you’re able to manage it. The hike is a 7km loop which should take around 2-3 hours. The route will take you along a rugged coastline, with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The route will take you to plenty of viewpoints along the way where you can gaze out into the ocean…or at cool-shaped rocks like me! Be sure to take a lot of water and sun cream as there is little shade along the trail. This also means that it can get very windy as well so watch your step.
Levada dos 25 Fontes (PR6)
Levada dos 25 Fontes is one of the most popular hikes in Madeira and most popular route within the Rabacal nature reserve. This hike takes you through an enchanted forest and past multiple waterfalls including Risco waterfall which stands magnificently at 100 metres.
Stop here and enjoy the view, perhaps have a bite to eat, but don’t get too comfy as the best is yet to come. The main attraction of this hike is a mystical lagoon with 25 springs flowing into it.
Fun fact: Fonte means Fountain!
With the alluring blue/green tint, how can you say no to taking a dip?! This is the perfect way to cool off after a hike. Be warned, although Madeira’s climate is tropical all year round, mountain water is always cold!
The trail is around 11km long and takes roughly 3-4 hours to complete depending on how long you stop for at Risco and 25 Fontes. It is considered a moderately challenging hike, with a few steep sections and uneven terrain but is very well maintained with it being one of the most popular Levada walks on Madeira. I would recommend avoiding the midday rush. Try to get there early morning or late afternoon when there aren’t as many crowds, avoiding weekends if possible. When I got to 25 Fontes the place was heaving, luckily not many others were stupid enough to get into the freezing cold water so I was able to get a decent snap!
Caldeirão Verde/Caldeirao Inferno (PR9)
Calderão Verde is another beautiful Levada hike in the heart of the Laurisilva forest and it’s also the first levada hike I completed on my trip. This hike made me feel like I was trekking through the Amazon rain forest (no I’ve never been to the Amazon rain forest).
The main attraction of this hike is a huge waterfall standing at over 100 metres pouring down into another crystal clear lagoon. Do you see a pattern here? Time for another cold dip!
Along the trail, you will come across plenty more waterfalls as well as a number of long tunnels which get dark very quickly, so head torches are recommended here. You can choose to turn back on yourself once you reach Caldeirao Verde and return to the car park. But if you’ve got some fight left in you, continue the hike for another 2-3km and you will reach another majestic waterfall – Caldeirao do Inferno. There are also smaller waterfalls on the way to this one as well, some of which fall into the path, don’t try and avoid it, just embrace it!
If you choose to continue to Caldeirao do Inferno (which you should), the total hiking distance is around 20km, which should take you about 6 hours. Don’t be put off by the distance though, this may be a long hike but it’s also relatively flat and accessible. And you know what that means? Yes, people. Lots of people, so my advice again is to try and time it so you reach Caldairao Verde either before or after lunchtime.
Pico Ruivo (PR1.2)
Pico Ruivo is the highest peak in Madeira and it’s also already been mentioned once in this article already, earlier we discussed the route here from Pico do Arieiro. But what if I told you there was an easier way?
Instead of trekking for hours from Pico do Arieiro, you can park up at Achada do Teixeira instead. From here it is only a short 6km round hike which should take you around 2-3 hours depending on how long you stay at the top.
This trail offers breathtaking views of Madeira’s mountains and is very easy to navigate through, the path takes you directly from the car park to the summit of Pico Ruivo. There is a cafe called brigo da Heidi at the car park where you can grab a coffee or some food either before or after your hike.
This was my first hike of trip to Madeira, I followed the path in the dark and watched the sunrise from Pico Ruivo then took a steady stroll back down. I would highly recommend experiencing it this way, sunrises in Madeira are game-changers!
Conclusion
So there you have it, I went from not knowing where Madeira was, to having one of the most memorable trips of my life to date. These were my favourite hikes in Madeira, however, I crammed in a lot more than this during my stay.
So feel free to check out some of the other blog posts where I can go more in-depth on the wonderful landscapes, Levadas and hidden gems that Madeira has to offer. Whether you are seeking a strenuous hike or a leisurely forest stroll, there is something for everyone on this magnificent island.
If Madeira doesn’t take your fancy, why not check out my guide on the best 3 hikes in Norway.
