Where to Walk: the 10 Best Funchal Hiking Tours

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer - The early ride from Funchal or Caniço

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,021 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $38Our pick

You’ll ride from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro, watch the sunrise, then hike at your own pace toward Pico Ruivo and Achada do Teixeira. Drivers such as Pedro, Diogo, Cristiano, and Miguel explain the route, meeting points, weather, and tricky sections before leaving you to walk independently. Allow about 8.5 hours, including transfers.

“very nice trip to the mountains, with the possibility of seeing the sunrise.”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Portugal Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Hiking Transfer

2.Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Hiking Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,845 reviews · 8 hours · from $37

You’ll ride from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro, receive route advice from drivers such as Pedro, Filipe, or Fernando, then hike independently toward Pico Ruivo and Achada do Teixeira. Expect about 10 km and five hours, with steep steps, changing weather, and a possible PR3 alternative if PR1 is closed.

“Communication was really clear and easy. Pedro was lovely, told us all about the island, gave us tips for the hike, helped navigate the maps so we had all the information we needed. Great day”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Portugal Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Caniçal Ponta São Lourenco Hiking Transfer

3.Caniçal Ponta São Lourenco Hiking Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 756 reviews · 6 hours · from $35

Ride from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, or Machico to Madeira’s PR8 trailhead, then hike Ponta São Lourenço at your own pace. Your English-speaking driver explains the route, timing, and safety rules before leaving you to explore. You get about four to four and a half hours, with time for viewpoints, the beach, and a possible swim.

“Great hiking! The view is amazing, our guide was well explaining the route and wait for us before we finished the trip, very nice experience!”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Levada Walks, Portugal Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews

Madeira: PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

4.PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 620 reviews · 7 hours · from $47

Travel from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau to Pico das Pedras, then walk independently through Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest to Caldeirão Verde. Your driver-host, including Vitor, Fabio, Roberto, and Cristiano, provides maps, safety advice, and return pickup. Expect a long, mostly level hike with four dark tunnels, wet paths, and a dramatic waterfall.

“The transfer was on time and we were provided good local information.”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Guided, Guided Day Hikes, Guided Day Hikes in Portugal, Hiking Tours, Morning, Portugal Hiking Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Portugal, Tour Reviews

PR1 Sunrise Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

5.PR1 Sunrise Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 299 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $39Best guided

Start before dawn with pickup in Funchal or Caniço, then watch sunrise from Pico do Arieiro before hiking at your own pace. Drivers such as Pedro, Filipe, and Adriana explain the route and trail changes. The transfer group is capped at eight, and pickup follows at Funchal Ecological Park.

“Fabulous trip, early start but you get a great spot for the sunrise. And the stars are amazing such a clear view of the sky. Great conditions so saw the sunrise above the clouds , amazing view. Take layers as it’s quite cool early on in the morning got to the top at 0615 and the sunrise was 0735 so take a few snacks and a drink. I wore trainers and was fine the trail is very dry so trainers were fine. I do a lot of hikes in the Lake District, so it wasn’t difficult just a lot of downhill on the PR3 section on dusty paths. The PR1…”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Full-Day, Funchal Hiking Tours, Guided Day Hikes, Guided Day Hikes in Portugal, Hiking Tours, Portugal Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews

From Funchal: Ponta de São Lourenço/Caniçal Full-Day Hike

6.Ponta de São Lourenço/Caniçal Full-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 262 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Walk Madeira’s eastern peninsula from Funchal with a guide such as Ruby, Sergio, or Sarah. Expect volcanic cliffs, unusual rock shapes, views toward the Desertas and Porto Santo, and time for a swim. The route is about 7 km round trip, with an optional tougher summit section and a possible speedboat return for €15 to €25 when sea conditions allow.

“Great hike to start. Transport and guide was excellent. Highly recommended.”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Levada Walks, Portugal Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6)

7.25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 187 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $52

Follow Madeira’s PR6 levada through the Laurissilva forest to the 25 Fountains and nearby waterfalls. Expect about 4 to 4.5 hours on foot, slippery steps, a dark 800-meter tunnel, and a guide such as Ruben, Daria, Samuel, or Marta. Hotel pickup from Funchal and Caniço is included.

“Great hike!!!! Few uphills and downhills but moderate . Love love the hike!!!!! Mostly trails are covered with trees . Our guide and driver are amazing!! Friendly and pleasant !”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Morning, Portugal Hiking Tours, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Plus 2 extra Hiking Trails

8.Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Plus 2 extra Hiking Trails

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 179 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $33Cheapest way up

Start before dawn with pickup in Funchal or Caniço, then watch sunrise at Pico do Arieiro before hiking PR1’s Stairway to Heaven. Continue on the quieter PR3 Donkey Trail, meet friendly donkeys, stop at a forest café, and optionally add PR3.1 with a Monte drop-off. Guides including Nelio and Fabio provide transport, trail directions, and WhatsApp support.

“We were unlucky with the weather on the day, at Pico do Arieiro there was a lot of cloud and the sunrise was delayed through the clouds. We did not know that we would do the first PR1 hike BEFORE sunrise, this was a surprise to the whole group. We finished the first walk completely in the dark, and waited another hour before it got light. The second hike PR3 was shortly after sunrise and ended at a forest cafe for lunch. Seeing the donkeys at the end was a highlight. Otherwise the views on this hike were not outstanding. We were deep in the foliage and it was cloudy…”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Guided, Guided Day Hikes, Guided Day Hikes in Portugal, Hiking Tours, Morning, Portugal Hiking Tours, Small-Group Hikes, Sunrise Hikes, Sunrise Hikes in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group

9.Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $120

Start before dawn with pickup in Funchal or Caniço, then hike above the clouds with a certified guide such as David or Ronaldo. The route aims for Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, with Santana’s traditional houses added later. Weather and trail closures can change the plan, so bring warm layers, sturdy shoes, water, and a picnic.

“This tour was amazing. Picked up early on time by our guide David who was brilliant from start to finish, he was really friendly and informative about the tour, the surrounding area and the landscape. We paid a little more compared to other sites but having read the reviews this tour sounded better all round and didn't fail to deliver. The hike itself was quite was challenging and certainly not for people with height issues or who are not as physically able, they're are some very steep steps that do test you and myself and my wife did struggle. Having said that David was so patient and helpful telling us…”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Funchal Hiking Tours, Hiking Tours, Portugal Hiking Tours, Private Hiking Tours, Private Hiking Tours in Portugal, Tour Reviews, Tours

Gastro hike (Private Tour)

10.Gastro hike (Private Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $96

Join Claudio from Hiking Island for a private Madeira food and walking tour. Walk 3.5 or 5.5 kilometers along a quiet levada, learn about local plants, farming, and island life, then taste poncha and grill beef espetadas over coals. Pickup is available in Funchal, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos.

“Amazing tour with a knowledgeable guide! Claudio is an exceptional guide, and person. He will know when and where to take you to avoid the crowds and get a real, local, Madeira experience. Highly recommend!”

Places left →Read the full write-up

Other ways to spend the day on foot

Mountain & Summit Hikes129 Volcano Hikes97 Waterfall Hikes60 Guided Day Hikes93 Glacier Hikes51 National Park Hikes42

Where to Walk: the 10 Best Funchal Hiking Tours

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer

1.Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Hiking Transfer

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Hiking Transfer

2.Pico do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Hiking Transfer

Funchal: Caniçal Ponta São Lourenco Hiking Transfer

3.Caniçal Ponta São Lourenco Hiking Transfer

Madeira: PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

4.PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

PR1 Sunrise Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

5.PR1 Sunrise Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

From Funchal: Ponta de São Lourenço/Caniçal Full-Day Hike

6.Ponta de São Lourenço/Caniçal Full-Day Hike

25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6)

7.25 Fountains Levada: Hiking Tour in Madeira Rabaçal Valley (PR6)

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Plus 2 extra Hiking Trails

8.Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Plus 2 extra Hiking Trails

Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group

9.Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group

Gastro hike (Private Tour)

10.Gastro hike (Private Tour)

Pick a kind of walking day

Above the treeline

Water and rock

How you walk it

Trees and trails