7 best hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal (easy to epic)

If you’re looking for the best hiking trails in Madeira, you’re in for a serious mix of landscapes. Think rugged mountain peaks above the clouds, jungle-style levadas (water canals), dramatic cliffs, and coastal paths that feel like something out of a movie.

Madeira honestly surprised me a bit. I knew it was known for hiking, but I didn’t expect this much variety in such a small island.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best hiking trails in Madeira based on my own travels and adventures on the island. Some are easy and relaxed, others are significantly more challenging, but all of them show a different side of Madeira. Enjoy!

What’s with levadas vs veredas in Madeira?

Before jumping into the hiking trails in Madeira, I need to quickly clear up something that confused me as a first-time visitor: levadas vs veredas.

In Madeira, levadas are the old irrigation water channels that run all across the island. There are literally thousands of kilometers of levadas in Madeira.

A lot of hiking trails follow these levada paths, which usually means easy or gently sloping walks through forests, valleys, and really lush green landscapes.

Veredas, on the other hand, are the official hiking trail routes in Madeira. These are proper footpaths that can take you up mountains, along cliffs, or through more rugged terrain depending on the route.

That said, hiking in Madeira is usually a mix of both. So in this guide, you’ll find some epic veredas and also some very scenic and famous levada walks. But don’t get too caught up in the names – what really matters is the experience, not the label.

At least now you won’t be as confused as I was. 😅

So let’s dive into the best hiking trails in Madeira.

1. Vereda dos Balcões

If you’re looking for one of the easiest hiking trails in Madeira, Vereda dos Balcões is a perfect start. It’s short, flat, and honestly feels more like a relaxed forest walk than a proper hike, but the view at the end is what really makes it worth your time.

The trail starts in Ribeiro Frio and follows a well-marked path through dense Laurisilva forest. It’s about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) one way, so roughly 3 km (1.8 miles) round trip, with almost no elevation gain. You can easily do it in under an hour.

It’s one of those walks you can do without really planning much or bringing any special gear. Just show up and go as you are.

To get there, park at the Ribeiro Frio parking area (paid parking). The trailhead is clearly signposted right from the parking area. This spot does get busy during the day, especially with tour groups, so going early (or late!) makes a big difference.

The walk itself is shaded and peaceful the whole way. Funny enough, after explaining everything about levadas vs veredas earlier, this first hike is basically both – it’s officially a vereda trail, but follows a levada for most of the route 😅

At the end, you reach Miradouro dos Balcões, one of my favorite viewpoints in Madeira, overlooking a deep green valley surrounded by mountains. On a clear day, you can even spot Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain in Madeira.

You’ll also probably notice small birds getting quite close here. This is one of those spots where locals sometimes sell bird seed at the start of the trail, so don’t be surprised if you see people feeding them at the viewpoint.

With the constant flow of visitors, the birds are pretty used to people, but you still need a bit of patience if you want them to land on your hand.

Is it worth it? I’d say definitely yes, especially if you want big Madeira views without doing a demanding hike. It’s a perfect easy stop before heading into the more dramatic trails on the island. I really loved this place.

Tip: Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you can. Midday gets busy, and the viewpoint is much more peaceful when it’s quieter. Also, bring a light jacket – it can feel surprisingly chilly in the valley before the sun reaches it.

This is an official hiking trail in Madeira, so you currently need to pay an entry fee for hiking PR 11 – Vereda dos Balcões. Before going, check the latest trail status and pay through the official Visit Madeira page.

Location: Trailhead – Miradouro dos Balcões

2. Levada das 25 Fontes + Levada do Risco

If you only do one classic levada hike in Madeira, this is probably the one most people end up choosing. And I totally get why.

The picturesque levada walk to 25 Fontes and Risco waterfalls is one of those trails that really shows the jungle side of the island, with waterfalls, deep valleys, and that constant green scenery Madeira is famous for.

The hike starts in the Rabaçal area (this is where everyone parks their car), and from the parking, you can just start hiking or, at certain hours, take a shuttle bus down to the valley where the official trail starts.

The route itself is around 8.6 km (5.3 miles) round trip, so it’s longer than Balcões, but still easily manageable for most people with a basic fitness level. You should plan for approximately 3 hours.

Tip! We knew this hike was popular, so we actually decided to do it in the evening. We started at 6 PM (3 hours before the sun went down) as everyone was heading back, so we actually had the whole trail and waterfalls all to ourselves.

Shuttle buses stop before 6 PM, so we only had the option to hike the first part down from the parking lot. It goes along a winding paved road from the parking area on the hill down to the valley in the forest where the official trail head is next to a small cottage.

This hike follows a levada (as the name says), so you hear a gurgling sound as you walk. The route is green, humid, and honestly a bit whimsical in that “deep forest” kind of way.

One of the first detours is Risco waterfall, which drops from a high cliff into the valley below. It’s just a short side walk off the main route, and I’d say it’s definitely worth the extra few minutes!

After that, you continue toward 25 Fontes, which is the main highlight (and end of the trail). It’s a small lagoon fed by multiple water streams (supposedly 25?) coming down the rock face.

It’s not one big waterfall, but many smaller ones coming together, which makes it feel really unique. Yes, I counted them. Yes, there are a lot of them. Definitely 25 or even more.

On our way back, we actually made another detour and walked the final part of the hike by a different route, passing more forests, more levadas, and even a tunnel. I do like seeing different scenery, so if you have time for exploring, do it (see our route on the map)!

The whole trail is a mix of levada paths, forest tracks, and some narrow sections, but nothing too technical. There are a few stairs and slightly muddy parts depending on the weather, so decent shoes are a good idea.

Is this hike worth it? I’d say yes, 100%. It’s not the most dramatic hike in Madeira, but it’s one of the most atmospheric ones. Waterfalls, green forest, levada paths – it feels like classic Madeira in one trail. And it is one of the easier hiking trails in Madeira.

Bring a light jacket or waterproof layer if it’s been raining recently. The forest section can feel damp, and the trail can get a bit slippery in parts. Also, take snacks and water, because there’s nowhere to buy anything along the route.

This is an official hiking trail in Madeira, so you currently need to pay an entry fee for hiking PR 6 – Levada das 25 Fontes. Before going, check the latest trail status and pay through the official Visit Madeira page.

Location: Parking lot – Trailhead – 25 Fontes waterfall – Risco waterfall

3. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

Now it’s time for something completely different! Ponta de São Lourenço is one of those hikes that stops you mid-step because the landscape looks nothing like the rest of Madeira.

After all the green valleys, waterfalls, dripping forests, and mountain mist, this area feels like a completely different island. It’s dry, rocky, windswept, and open on both sides – Atlantic Ocean to the left, Atlantic Ocean to the right.

The views start almost immediately after you leave the parking lot, which is always a good sign. 🤩

The name of this hike is PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, and it runs along the easternmost tip of the island, the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula.

If you want to go all the way to the end of the peninsula (the most epic view!), then the full route will be around 8 kilometers (5 miles) round trip with about 450m (1,480 ft) of elevation gain – so more up and down than it looks on paper.

The hike starts at the Ponta de São Lourenço parking lot. This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Madeira, so it will fill up quickly. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to go.

As you leave the car park, the hike follows a wooden boardwalk at first and a dirt path afterwards until the very end. There will be viewpoints along the way, so take your time and enjoy the scenery!

The final viewpoint you see in the first photo is located on a hilltop – this is the furthest you can go. But you have to earn it with a steep uphill climb.

Before the final hill, there is a small café where you can sit down and gather your strength for the final push.

It is an overpriced one, so we didn’t stop by, but we saw others do it. We had our own snacks and drinks, so we were fine.

Plus, we wanted to get the thing done – it was about to get hotter and hotter, and there is no shade whatsoever on this trail.

We finished in around 2 hours, but I didn’t count stops for photos (and there were many 😃). You should plan around 3-4 hours total. Bring snacks, water, a hat, and sunscreen, especially on a sunny day.

Is it worth it? Without a doubt. This is one of the top hikes Madeira is known for, so you basically HAVE TO do it. 😅 We’ve actually done it twice.

For me, this is one of the most memorable hikes in Madeira, not because it’s the hardest or the longest, but because it feels so unlike anything else on the island.

You really do feel like you’ve walked to the edge of the world!

You currently need to pay an entry fee of 4.50 EUR per person (free for under 12s) to hike PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço. Check the latest trail status and book through the official Visit Madeira page.

Location: Ponta de São Lourenço trailhead

4. Vereda do Larano

I won’t lie – Vereda do Larano is my personal favorite hike in Madeira. And I don’t say that lightly, considering everything else this island has to offer. 👀

I think part of why I loved this hike so much is the timing.

By that point in our trip, I was a bit tired of all the ups and downs of Madeira’s mountain trails, so a mostly flat coastal walk felt like exactly the right balance. Medium effort, but maximum of that dramatic Madeira beauty.

Vereda do Larano gives you a cliffside path along the north coast, about 300 m (984 ft) above the ocean. Rocky cliffs, open sea, and that wild north coast scenery – it honestly felt a bit like Jurassic Park up there.

The trail starts on Caminho do Larano coastal road near Porto da Cruz.

We parked right at the trailhead at the end of the road, but we went in the late afternoon when there were basically no other cars around. Just make sure you park your car properly, so that other cars can pass you.

From there, you just follow the coastal path (it’s a simple dirt path) as far as you feel like going and then turn back. We hiked until Pico das Roçadas and then turned around and hiked back. Our round trip was 14 km (8.7 miles) in total, which took us around 4 hours.

The official route continues toward Caniçal, but since we had a rental car, we didn’t want the extra logistics of getting back to the starting point.

You can easily do a shorter version too. For me, the best part was the first 4 to 5 km (2.5 to 3.1 miles). A nice plan for a pleasant and scenic hike is to start at Caminho do Cabo do Larano, hike until Boca do Risco, and then turn around and walk back.

Vereda do Larano is mostly flat with some gentle ups and downs. That said, it runs right along the cliff edge in places with serious drop-offs below, so it’s not ideal if you have a real fear of heights. There are railings in some sections, but not everywhere.

Most people hike Madeira in the morning/during the day, so evenings can be surprisingly quiet. We went late afternoon and had the trail to ourselves (besides one other hiker), plus we caught a really nice sunset.

Bring water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket, because the north coast gets windy even on warm days. There’s no entry fee at the moment, so you can just park and go.

Location: Vereda do Larano

5. Levada Nova + Levada do Moinho

If you want a hike in Madeira that feels scenic but not super intense (no significant uphill/downhill sections), Levada do Moinho + Levada Nova is one of the best options for you.

It is a somewhat relaxed levada walk near Ponta do Sol on the south coast of Madeira, but it still has a few “okay, focus, the edge of the cliff is right next to me” moments.

The main highlight here is the Levada Nova waterfall, my favorite waterfall in Madeira, by the way, because the path literally takes you inside a canyon and behind the falling water through a small carved-out section in the rock.

You will probably get a little wet. I did. It’s part of the fun. 😅

The hike starts right behind the Igreja da Lombada church in Lombada da Ponta do Sol. We parked by the church and started walking from there. Parking is limited, so try not to show up at peak hours and expect that nobody will be there.

Our route was 9.68 km (6 miles) with about 148 m (485 ft) elevation gain. Moving time was 1h 47m, and with stops it was just over 2 hours. We did it in the late afternoon, and it felt pretty calm and not crowded.

The walk is mostly flat, but don’t underestimate the narrow parts. Some sections are close to the edge, and railings are not everywhere. Also, after the waterfall there’s a darker tunnel section, so bring a flashlight or a fully charged phone (because sometimes phones want to die at the worst moment).

As far as fees go, this one didn’t feel like the strict “official PR trail ticket” setup when we did it, so we basically parked and walked. Still, Madeira changes rules sometimes, so it’s worth doing a quick check if anything has been updated recently.

Location: Trailhead – Levada Nova waterfall

6. Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Caldeirão do Inferno

This unique hiking route is filled with jungle, tunnels, and waterfalls, but is probably the most difficult of these routes. You can leave your car at THIS parking lot and then follow the route.

It is paid parking, however, we arrived back from the trail after their working hours, which is after 6 PM, and did not have to pay anything – the barrier was open!

There are actually two versions – the shorter one, which is about 12 kilometers altogether, and the longer version is about 16-17 kilometers. Most of the hikers take the shorter version and turn around at the spectacular Caldeirão Verde waterfall.

However, if you continue, you will see many more waterfalls, many more tunnels, and many more amazing views over the valley and the mountains. If you have time – do it!

The final destination for the longer route is not so spectacular – just a simple waterfall in a canyon-like place, but the path is the exciting thing (tunnels, waterfalls, stairs, levadas, etc. along the way)!

Make sure to pack enough food and drinks, as well as appropriate clothes and a flashlight – you will have to cross 24 tunnels (!), by going there (12 tunnels) and back the same way (extra 12 tunnels)!

Start location: OPEN MAP!

7. Vereda do Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo

The hiking route from the third highest mountain in Madeira, Pico do Arieiro, to the highest mountain, Pico Ruivo, and back is probably the most known hiking route in Madeira.

This 6-kilometer route one-way conquers uphills and downhills, narrow staircases, and dark tunnels, but it delivers as well. Along the way, you will have some of the most incredible and spectacular views of the island.

This above-the-clouds hiking route is a must! Leave your car HERE, at the top of Pico do Arieiro mountain, bring some snacks and drinks, as well as a flashlight and maybe warmer clothes – it can be very windy in the mountains.

Tip! Before you go, check the weather and the visibility on the mountain in webcams HERE!

Start location: OPEN MAP!

Things to know before hiking in Madeira

Before you hit the hiking trails in Madeira, here are a few practical tips that will save you time (and some stress):

Read more about traveling in Madeira

It is hard to imagine a trip to Madeira without hiking. It was one of my favorite parts of our trip. There’s just so much variety – from easy levada walks to proper mountain trails and coastal paths.

You just have to pick, and I think this curated list of the best hiking trails in Madeira will help you a lot.

What I liked most is that you don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy Madeira. Some of the best views in Madeira come with surprisingly little effort, while others definitely make you work for it.😅

If you’re planning your trip to Madeira, I’d really recommend mixing a few easier walks with one or two more challenging hikes.

If you’re looking for more Madeira travel tips and ideas, check out my other guides:

• 20 best things to do in Madeira, Portugal
• 17 iconic Instagram spots in Madeira, Portugal
• 10 must-see waterfalls in Madeira, Portugal
• 17 best viewpoints in Madeira, Portugal

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