6 Incredible Hikes in Madeira

The island of Madeira in Portugal is truly a hiker’s paradise. For nature lovers, the stunning beauty of the island with its stunning landscapes, comprising forests, mountains, and dramatic coastlines, may make you never want to leave.

Madeira’s well-organized network of trails include ‘PR’ routes (short routes, or “pequena rotas”), levadas, and veredas.  Among these, the levada walks are a standout feature, following ancient irrigation channels that weave through the landscape. These levadas, essential for distributing water across the island’s terrains, have been repurposed into scenic trails.

Hiking in Madeira does require preparation. The levada routes, with their old paths, tunnels, and potential for rock falls or adverse weather, can present challenges. It’s crucial for hikers to equip themselves properly and verify the status of trails before setting out. Madeira’s hiking trails each offer a unique experience and there is a trail for every backpacker.

There are over 130 hiking trails on Madeira which span over 1,170 km (1,350 miles). The majority of these trails are well-marked and maintained by the Regional Government of Madeira. For the most up-to-date information, be sure to check Visit Madeira for the elevation, duration, and difficulty of each of the PR routes divided by region.

Madeira’s hikes lead adventurers through the legendary 20-million-year-old subtropical Laurissilva rainforest, a UNESCO-protected site home to ancient laurel trees, to breathtaking viewpoints overlooking cities, coastlines, and mountains. These trails not only reveal the island’s scenic beauty but also its historical significance, offering insights into the ingenuity of Madeira’s water management practices.

Starting from the regional road ER 105 in Rabaçal, the Levada das 25 Fontes trail is one of the most popular hiking trails for both tourists and locals on the entire island. Spanning approximately 4.3 km and taking about 3 hours to complete, it offers a moderately challenging yet rewarding experience for nature enthusiasts. This trail, running almost parallel to Levada do Risco, presents a diverse array of scenery and points of interest, ultimately ending up at the jaw-dropping Lagoa das 25 Fontes. This lagoon, fed by 25 springs emanating from Paul da Serra, presents an unforgettable natural spectacle, surrounded by a breathtaking landscape.

The water is ice-cold here, but if you’re up for it, take the ultimate plunge and go for a quick dip before making your way back the same way that you came. Also, be prepared here for crowds along the trail. This is one of the more congested routes on the island.

Starting from the Paúl da Serra plateau, Vereda do Fanal is truly the most breathtaking and unique on the entire island of Madeira. The trail takes hikers across the lush, green expanse of Madeira’s indigenous 20-million-year-old Laurissilva forest. This forest, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, stands in splendid conservation, enveloping hikers into a magical realm where each tree seems to have its own character. The path also reveals the ingenuity of past inhabitants, highlighting an intricate system of cables that past Madeira residents once used for transporting wood.

At the end of Vereda do Fanal lies a small volcanic crater, designated as a Rest and Quiet Reserve. Here, amidst the ancient Til (Ocotea foetens) woods, some predating the island’s discovery, hikers can discover stunning views and a great place to have a rest or a picnic before returning to your car.