Madeira, the flower island of Portugal. With so much beauty and amazing things to do, I can imagine you will have a full packed vacation schedule. One thing that you can’t skip though is at least one of the beautiful hikes on Madeira Island. The coastal trail offers stunning coastal views and unique experiences with narrow paths and lush vegetation. During our trip to Madeira we were so excited to hike and in the end we were so happy that we saw so many beautiful backdrops. Straight out of a movie!

Madeira is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, offering diverse landscapes and breathtaking views. Not only offers Madeira amazing food or cute villages like Câmara de Lobos, it also offers some of the most amazing hikes. Which ones are worth your time and how do you prepare yourself for this adventure? These are my tips!

Choose the Right Trail

Madeira island is famous for its beautiful hiking trails. No wonder, since the island has more than 100 different routes to explore. But with so many options, which one do you skip and which ones are definitely worth your time? As someone who was in that precise situation, I can imagine how hard it can be to choose. I would say, everything on Madeira is wonderful so focus on length and difficulty. That way you will never be surprised with the route you choose eventually. What you might know already is that Madeira has a very diverse climate. So my tip would be, try to capture those various circumstances during your hikes. My favorite hikes are:

• PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço hike: Starting off with a 10km long hike through the peninsula from Madeira Island. I think this hike is really special as it’s on the oldest part of the island. Also making the nature and surroundings so different from the rest of the island. Besides that, the hike will also give you some amazing views of the coastlines. Be prepared for a lot of wind though, still nice! The da ponta de são trail offers impressive views over the coastline and practical information about the trail’s distance, time, and recommended starting time.

• PR1 Vereda do Arieiro hike: My favorite hike we did! Also being probably the most popular hike of everyone. Not for any reason though. This 14km famous hike brings you from the highest point of the island to the third-highest point of the island. This hike can be quite tough so be prepared. In the end it will be all worth it as it gives you the most stunning views! Looking for more tips regarding this specific hike? Check out our other blog for all our tips! It is considered the most famous hiking trail on the island due to its challenging nature and breathtaking views.

• PR6 Levada 25 Fontes: This amazing hike takes you along 25 different waterfalls. Be prepared for many other hikers though as this is a highly visited one. This hike is perfect accessible and can be easily combined with PR6.1 Risco Waterfall. Expect narrow paths through tunnels and underneath waterfalls.
• PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde: While choosing which hike you are going to do, you should definitely pick one that follows a levada. Levadas are Madeira’s old water systems. They made sure that everyone had access to water on the island. What was very important for all the vegetation that was growing on the island. Nowadays they don’t use the waterways anymore but you can still find them on the island. With PR9 you are taken on a 13km long hike following through the overgrown jungle of Madeira. The vereda da ponta de trail offers a coastal track with stunning viewpoints and challenging terrain.
• PR10 Levada do Furado: This hike also follows a levada, and in this case one of the oldest. With this 11km long hike you are again taking on a beautiful adventure through the nature of Madeira. We also did this hike and we thought it was so much fun to go through different caves and ending up on a different side of the island.

Plan Your Route

Some flexibility can be great while traveling. Although regard the Madeira hikes I would like to advise you to definitely plan your activity. It’s not everyday that you are taking on a hike through nature. Check which day you wanna go, if you’re feeling fit, do you have everything you need? Madeira’s weather is changing every seconds, so it’s important that you check if you have the right gear, something that we will take about in a bit. Additionally, consider joining hiking tours for popular trails, as they offer convenience, safety, and a chance to learn more about the island.

For the PR1 hike, we opted for a tour via GetYourGuide. This was way easier as we didn’t have any problems with parking the car at one point and not getting back there after the hike. The PR1 hike itself is a moderate trail, and the walking distance does not include the distance from the parking lot. Starting early is crucial to avoid crowds and fully enjoy the experience.

I would also advise to download the app ‘Maps me’.. This app gives you the opportunity to download maps offline and use your gps. You are never not sure if you would need it. Don’t worry though, all the hikes are very clear and getting lost will be very difficult.

Pack Essentials

When you are going on your chosen hike, you want to enjoy and experience the hike 100%. You don’t want to be busy thinking about any missing gear or finding out that you are missing something. Hiking can be so peaceful, especially with all the beautiful nature in Madeira. That’s why I personally like to be prepared with everything I might need. Of course, it’s important to wear good shoes and clothing. Specifically, for trails like Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço and Vereda do Arieiro – PR1, wearing appropriate hiking shoes is crucial due to the terrain and elevation involved. Besides that, there are some other things that I always take with me. Once again, these things might change depending on which specific hike you will be doing, but these are the things that will always be in my backpack:

• Sunscreen
• (Blister) plasters
• Water
• Quick snacks like granola bars or fruit like bananas
• Lunch (depending of the length of the hike)
• Cap
• Socks
• Suction pomp for insects
• First-aid kit
• Rain jacket / poncho
• Flashlight
• Power bank

Embrace the Journey

Personally I love hiking so much. Madeira was and still is a dream island to explore and hike along all the beautiful levadas. The Caldeirão do Inferno waterfall hike is one of the best levada walks on the island, with lush jungles and amazing waterfalls. Even when I’m staying at home I still like to go on a walk around the neighborhood or forest. Hiking can be so peaceful!

The Levada dos Tornos hike in Boaventura offers a mix of waterfalls, viewpoints, and lush greenery, making it a moderate trail due to its length and uneven surfaces. The Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike is a peaceful and leisurely trail along the levadas, featuring an incredible waterfall.

Levada walks on Madeira Island are characterized by ease of access, lush forest surroundings, stunning viewpoints, and waterfall features. Practical tips for hiking these trails include starting early, wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, and being prepared for different weather conditions. The stunning viewpoints overlooking the highest mountain peaks of Madeira are not to be missed.

The Queimadas Forest Park is the starting point of the Levada do Caldeirao Verde hike, a nice area with blooming azaleas, a small river, and a muddy forest path. The Risco waterfall hike is part of the popular Levada das 25 Fontes hike, and it’s recommended to start early to avoid crowds.

Certain trails feature steep stairs, presenting a physical challenge but adding to the adventure.

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