Madeira, also known as the “Island of Flowers”, is a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts. The Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean offers spectacular landscapes with cliffs, lush forests, picturesque coastal paths, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or an occasional hiker, Madeira has something for everyone. Here are our hiking tips for three of the best hiking trails in Madeira. And also three equipment tips to prepare you for your adventure.
3 hiking tips for Madeira from difficult to easy
On Madeira, you will find well-developed hiking trails and walks along levadas – the artificial irrigation channels that serve as hiking trails similar to those in Valais.
Different routes offer hikers the opportunity to discover the unique beauty of the island. Whether you opt for an easy hike along the coast or a levada or a more challenging mountain hike, you will be rewarded with spectacular views and unforgettable experiences.
Hiking in Madeira is a highlight for all nature lovers. So lace up your hiking boots, pack your rucksack, and get ready to explore the beauty of the flower island on foot!
The royal stage: from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and Achada do Teixeira parking lot
Travel memo hiking tip:
From Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and Achada do Teixeira
- Distance: 7 km (not a circular route!)
- Duration: approx. 4:00h
- Ascent/descent: approx. 700 m, very, very steep in places!
- Starting point: Pico do Arieiro
- End point: Achada do Teixeira via Pico Ruivo
- Difficulty/Condition: difficult hike. The route requires a good level of fitness and surefootedness
- Equipment: Sturdy footwear (hiking boots!), sun protection, water, provisions, and camera/mobile phone. You should also have a headlamp or flashlight with you for the two long tunnels. Or a well-charged cell phone.
For adventurous hikers and summiteers, the royal stage on Madeira is an absolute highlight!
The PR 1.2 (Pequenas Rotas) route takes you from Pico do Arieiro (1818 m), the third highest peak in Madeira, via the highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1862 m), to the restaurant and car park at Achada do Teixeira.
It is a challenging but also very impressive hike with spectacular views and a variety of scenic highlights. Some are quite daunting, such as the Stairway of Death! But you are secured by handrails everywhere.
You still need to be free from giddiness, otherwise you won’t get far.
Flower lovers get their money’s worth, especially in May, June and July.
For bird lovers, there is unfortunately not so much to see, as Madeira has very few insects: They don’t like the frequent smell of eucalyptus and accordingly, there is little bird food… So you don’t come to Madeira for birding.
The hike begins at Pico do Arieiro, where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain landscape. The onion principle for clothing protects you from the stiff wind.
From here, follow the well-signposted PR 1.2 path, which soon descends on steps and then quickly becomes steeper and steeper.
The steepest section of this summit hike is tackled via a steep metal staircase, which offers no room for crossing or tripping.
Dramatically, it is called the “Stairs of Death“. After all, there is the “Stairway to Heaven” elsewhere.
Because that’s not enough, the hiking trail also leads through several unlit tunnels. There are five in total. The longest is 150 meters long.
We cross the tunnels with our cell phone flashlights. If you have a small torch or headlamp, this would be ideal, as some relatively large puddles and rocks are in the way.
After around three hours, we reach the Mountain hut Casa de Abrigo Pico Ruivo. Toilets are available here (there are none on the way). You can also refill your drinking water bottle or buy drinks (this is all the hut offers).
The peak of Pico Ruivo is already close by. However, the final ascent to Madeira’s highest peak involves a lot of stairs – and is therefore a bit of a leg-breaker.
Once at the top, climbers are treated to a panoramic view of the entire island and the surrounding sea. A wonderful moment and an unforgettable experience!
After admiring the spectacular panorama, we make the gentle descent to the Achada do Teixeira restaurant and parking lot, where cab driver Agostinho is waiting for us.
A word of warning: The royal stage is not a walk in the park, but a challenging hike that requires good physical fitness and stamina.
You also need to be sure-footed and have a head for heights. Hiking poles are a great help on the high steps.
Our tip for getting to the Pico:
Many visitors complete the hike from Pico do Arieiros to Pico Ruivo and back – in other words, as a circular hike.
However, we advise you not to: firstly, you need to be in top physical condition for this. And secondly, it is difficult to cross the hikers coming towards you on the narrow ridge in some exposed places.
It should also be noted that the parking spaces at Pico do Arieiro are limited. The cars of hikers who park their rental cars suboptimally at the side of the road are often towed away! (At least that’s what our cab driver claims…)
So it’s better to take a cab or a shuttle to Pico do Arieiro and then get picked up again at the large parking lot of Achada do Teixeira.
We book the taxi driver and private tour guide Agostinho José Abreu via our hotel. He provides interesting background information about the island on the way and picks you up on time. Book him early, as he is very popular with his regular customers and is often booked!
Agostinho speaks excellent English and also some German.
Email: agostinho_1045@hotmail.com
Tel. +351 917 233 590 or +351 291 782 713
Alternatively, there are also GetYourGuide transfers and even excursions with a guided hike to book.
Coastal hike to Ponta de São Lourenço on the east cape of Madeira
Travel memo hiking tip:
Coastal hike to Ponta de São Lourenço on the east cape of Madeira
- Distance: 8 km
- Duration: approx. 3:00h
- Ascent/descent: 405 m
- Start and end point: at the Baia d’Abra parking lot (near Machico) – see signs for Ponta São Lourenço
- Difficulty/condition: moderately difficult hike, some parts are steep and require surefootedness
- Equipment: sturdy footwear, sun protection (there is hardly any shade along the route), and water
- Food/toilet: The Casa do Sardinha restaurant is available towards the end of the peninsula
This coastal hike to Ponta de São Lourenço is an absolute must for nature lovers who want to explore the rough and spectacular beauty of Madeira’s coastline.
The eastern cape of the island offers a unique landscape with scarpy cliffs, brown/red rocks, crystal-clear water, and a variety of plant species.
The hike begins in Baía d’Abra, a small nature reserve in the east of Madeira. From there, you follow a well-signposted path along the coast. The path winds through dry scrubland, past fascinating rock formations on the cliffs.
During the hike, you will repeatedly have breathtaking views of the turquoise-blue Atlantic and the impressive cliffs. The variety of colors reflected in the rocks is impressive.
This unique combination of rugged coastline, lush vegetation, and the sound of the sea makes the coastal hike to Ponta de São Lourenço an unforgettable experience.
Tip: We don’t start the hike from the well-filled Baia d’Abra parking lot like most people, but instead park the car at the little-visited Miradouro (viewing platform) de São Lourenço and set off from there.
Although this means another small loop, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the rugged cliffs and the entire peninsula from the Miradouro de Abismo viewpoint.
The Casa do Sardinha restaurant offers hot meals during the hike. You can also book boat trips here.
This mountain formation looks like an elephant holding its trunk in the sea. However, the actual “Elephant Rock” is located behind it and is much smaller.
Levada hike to the 25 Springs and Risco waterfall
Travel demo hiking tip:
Levada hike to the 25 Springs and Risco waterfall
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- Distance: 11.6 km
- Duration: approx. 3:00h
- Ascent/descent: 385 m
- Start and end point: at the parking lot on the ER 110 road (turn-off towards Rabaçal)
- Difficulty/condition: moderately difficult hike
- Equipment: Parts of the trail can be slippery. It is therefore advisable to wear good shoes with a profile
One of the most popular levada walks in Madeira leads to the 25 Springs, also known as “Levada das 25 Fontes“.
This idyllic canal path through lush landscapes with erica bushes and laurel forests leads past waterfalls and is one of the most popular levada routes on the island.
The hike begins in Rabaçal, a charming village in the western part of Madeira. From there, you follow the Levada path through dense forests and along steep cliffs.
The levada itself is an artificial irrigation channel that has been used for centuries to irrigate fields and generate energy.
During the hike, you will experience the beauty of nature in all its splendor. You will pass several waterfalls cascading down from the surrounding mountains.
After a hike of around three hours, you will finally reach the 25 springs.
3 tips regarding hiking equipment
- Regardless of whether you’re doing an easy levada hike or the royal stage: Good footwear (we recommend hiking boots for the royal stage!) is essential
- You should also always have sun protection and plenty of water and snacks with you, as there are hardly any refreshment options along the way.</li
- As the weather in Madeira can change quickly, we recommend packing a sweater or jacket and a rain jacket. Early mornings on the Pico do Arieiro are very chilly. A windstopper will do you good service.</li
Now I wish you a happy lacing up your hiking boots and good weather!
We link further travel tips for hotels and restaurants in the Madeira destination article.
Madeira is a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts. The Portuguese island offers spectacular landscapes with steep cliffs, picturesque coastal paths, and breathtaking viewpoints.
