Step 1
Check the trail status
Hiking routes may close temporarily or have access restrictions. Before setting out, consult the official IFCN trail register, even if you have been planning the hike for a while.
Hiking in Madeira: 6 of the Most Popular Routes and Alternatives Away from the Crowds
Popularity does not necessarily mean a trail is the most beautiful or the best fit for you
Madeira has countless hiking trails, yet travel guides keep recommending the same routes. As a result, the best-known hikes are becoming increasingly busy, even though popularity does not necessarily mean a trail is the most beautiful or the best fit for you.
I'd like to share some alternatives where you can enjoy waterfalls, levadas, lush greenery and mountain scenery while encountering far fewer people.
6 of the Most Popular Hikes in Madeira (Not Necessarily the Most Beautiful!)
Here are six routes that frequently appear in travel recommendations:
- PR1 Vereda do Areeiro — Stairway to Heaven
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9)
- Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
- Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6)
- Fanal Forest (PR13)
- Vereda dos Balcões (PR11)
PR1 is particularly popular for its spectacular mountain scenery and easy access to high elevations. The car park is right up in the mountains, allowing you to find yourself surrounded by peaks almost immediately. However, Madeira has other places offering beautiful mountain panoramas with convenient access, such as the Bica da Cana area.
Alternatives: Waterfalls, Incredible Greenery and Unspoilt Nature
- Levada da Achada Grande
- waterfall and lush greenery, very quiet
- Fajã do Penedo — Lombo do Urzal
- waterfalls and a levada, very quiet
- PR10 Levada do Furado
- laurel forest, walk any part of it
- PR17 Pináculo e Folhadal
- long and challenging, tunnels
- PR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada
- mountains and Curral das Freiras views
- PR16 Levada Fajã do Rodrigues
- waterfalls and three tunnels, bring a torch
1. Levada da Achada Grande — One of My Favourite Routes
Levada da Achada Grande is one of my favourite hikes in Madeira. It is ideal for anyone who wants to walk through incredibly lush greenery, discover a waterfall and enjoy nature away from the main tourist routes.
The trail winds through dense vegetation in a beautiful valley. Along the way, you'll find a levada and a waterfall, with occasional views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. The scenery is wonderfully varied, with different shades of green, creating the feeling of being in a corner of the island largely untouched by mass tourism.
It's a lovely place to walk at your own pace, stop along the way and take in the surrounding nature. You'll generally encounter far fewer visitors here than on Madeira's best-known trails.
2. Fajã do Penedo — Lombo do Urzal via Levada dos Tornos
Another route I recommend to anyone who loves waterfalls and lush greenery.
It runs through the same area as Levada da Achada Grande, passing through beautiful valleys and nature that remains largely untouched by mass tourism. The scenery combines waterfalls, a levada, mountain landscapes and occasional views of the ocean.
Both routes are especially rewarding for anyone who wants to discover waterfalls and walk through incredibly green landscapes, at a relaxed pace and away from the busiest trails. If you value varied scenery, tranquillity and a sense of seclusion, these are the two routes I would start with.
3. PR10 Levada do Furado — Lush Forest and a Flexible Walking Time
PR10 is a great option for those who enjoy levadas, dense forest and mountain scenery. The trail passes through the Laurissilva forest, with views of valleys and the ocean along certain sections.
In terms of visitor numbers, this trail is moderately busy, with more hikers than on the two alternatives above.
The great thing about PR10 is that you don't have to walk the entire route. The full trail is around 11 km long and takes approximately five hours. You can choose a section that suits you, walk for an hour or two, then turn around and return the same way. This lets you decide how long you want to spend walking while still enjoying the forest and levada.
The full route connects Ribeiro Frio and Portela. If you plan to complete it, arrange your transport in advance, as the start and finish points are in different locations. For the latest route details and access information, see the official PR10 page.
4. PR17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal — For Lovers of Longer Mountain Hikes
PR17 is a good choice for those interested in mountain scenery, forests, levadas and longer hikes.
The full route is long and challenging, like PR1, so it requires good physical fitness and careful planning. There are tunnels along the way, and the trail surface can be slippery. In terms of visitor numbers, PR17 is also moderately busy.
You can assess the route in advance and choose a suitable walking plan based on your fitness level and the time available.
5. PR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada — Mountain Scenery and Panoramic Views
If you want to head into the mountains and enjoy Madeira's spectacular high-altitude scenery, PR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada is well worth considering. The trail starts at the Boca da Corrida viewpoint, with parking right by the trailhead, much like PR1. It follows the slopes of Madeira's central mountain range, surrounded by some of the island's highest peaks, with beautiful views of the mountains and the Curral das Freiras valley. It's a great alternative to the popular PR1 for those who want to experience Madeira's dramatic mountain landscapes in a quieter setting.
6. PR16 Levada Fajã do Rodrigues — An Alternative to Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Caldeirão Verde
A beautiful, incredibly green trail featuring waterfalls, lush vegetation and the enchanting atmosphere of Madeira's forests. A great alternative to the popular Levada das 25 Fontes and Levada do Caldeirão Verde.
The route includes three tunnels, adding an adventurous touch to the hike. Bring a flashlight or headlamp to safely make your way through them.
Before Hiking in Madeira
Step 2
Prepare your navigation
The AllTrails app is useful for finding routes and checking trail information. The free version allows you to search for trails and view their details, while downloading maps for offline navigation requires a paid subscription. If you may lose your internet connection along the way, prepare an offline map in advance and familiarise yourself with the trailhead and finish point.
Step 3
Check the weather at the actual hiking location
Conditions in Madeira vary significantly depending on the region and elevation. It may be warm and sunny in Funchal, the capital, while the mountains are cold, windy or foggy. I've often seen visitors arrive in the mountains without enough warm clothing because they relied solely on the forecast on their phones.
Check the temperature, wind, rainfall and cloud cover the day before and again on the morning of your hike. Useful sources include IPMA and the official weather information from Visit Madeira. Choose your clothing based on conditions along the trail, rather than the weather on the coast alone.
IFCN — walking trail statusofficial notices about closures and restrictions
IPMA — weather forecast, Areeirothe weather in the mountains, not on the coast
Discover a Different Side of Madeira
The island's best-known trails deserve their reputation, but they are only part of what Madeira has to offer. If you want to discover waterfalls, walk alongside levadas, explore lush forests and find beautiful mountain valleys, consider some of the less-visited routes.
Another option is a private hiking tour in Madeira with a local guide who knows the island and its trails well. You can explore dense green forests, beautiful valleys and natural areas that remain largely untouched by mass tourism, with an experienced local guide by your side. Your guide will select a route based on your interests and fitness level, check the conditions in advance and take care of the logistics. All you have to do is enjoy Madeira's natural beauty and discover places many visitors never get to see.