ON FOOT · MADEIRA HIKING TOURS

Where to Walk: the 10 Best Madeira Hiking Tours

10 hikes  ·  from $37 a head

The good madeira hiking tours cap their group sizes and fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 10 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.

Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike - Leaving Funchal for the high mountains
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Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike

1.Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,224 reviews · 8 hours · from $54Our pick

Join a certified mountain guide for an eight-hour Madeira mountain day from Funchal, Machico, Caniço, Santa Cruz, or Câmara de Lobos. The classic PR1 route between Pico Arieiro and Pico Ruivo is currently closed, so expect an alternative or split-peak walk. Bring warm layers, water, food, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes.

“I had split hiking tour to Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. It was my first hiking. Absolutely fantastic experience. It's can be done by beginners with good fitness level. Tour guide Nuno best of the best. He is so friendly and patient. There was certain schedule to follow but still plenty of time to admire stunning views and take some pictures. Would love to do it again after reopening of the whole route.”

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Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Hiking Transfer - Starting at the 25 Fontes parking area
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Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Hiking Transfer

2.Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Hiking Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,670 reviews · 8 hours · from $40

Travel by shared van from Funchal, Caniço, or nearby south-coast towns to Rabaçal for a self-guided hike on the 25 Fontes and Risco levadas. Your English-speaking driver explains the route, provides a map, and returns at the agreed time. Choose the 6 a.m. pickup to reach the waterfalls before the crowds.

“Great walk. Transport arrangements worked very well. Thanks to all”

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Pico Do Arieiro Pico Ruivo Sunrise or Morning Hike Transfers - The open section of PR1 and the famous stairway
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Pico Do Arieiro Pico Ruivo Sunrise or Morning Hike Transfers

3.Pico Do Arieiro Pico Ruivo Sunrise or Morning Hike Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,169 reviews · 8 - 8.5 hours · from $37Cheapest way up

Ride from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro, catch sunrise above the clouds, then hike toward Pico Ruivo or use the PR3 alternative when PR1 is closed. English-speaking drivers such as Radko and Ciro explain the route, set a clear pickup point, and return you by minivan after up to five hours on the mountain.

“Great trip. The guide collected us from our hotel. The mini bus was comfortable and the ride to the starting point was smooth . The guide showed us exactly where to begin our hike and where he would pick us up. Great value for money too. As renting a car to get up there yourself would definitely be a challenge.”

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Caldeirão Verde: Levada Caldeirao Verde Hiking Transfer - Queimadas Park and the first stretch
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Caldeirão Verde: Levada Caldeirao Verde Hiking Transfer

4.Caldeirão Verde: Levada Caldeirao Verde Hiking Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,071 reviews · 8 hours · from $39

You’ll ride from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, or Machico to Queimadas Natural Park, then follow a 13 km self-guided levada trail through ancient Laurissilva forest. Expect four tunnels, waterfalls, narrow paths, and a lagoon where swimming may be possible. Drivers such as Nuno, Pedro, Diogo, and Cristiano provide the trail briefing and transfer.

“the guide super nice and extremely communicative. We felt under his care. his has picked us up right on time and left us back and agred place. We recommend this Tour and the guide”

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Madeira: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro & Hike Larano trail - The pre-dawn pickup from Funchal
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Madeira: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro & Hike Larano trail

5.Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro & Hike Larano trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 951 reviews · 7 hours · from $53

Start before dawn with hotel pickup from Funchal or Caniço, watch sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, and optionally walk 1.2 km toward the Stairs of Heaven. After a coffee stop and Guindaste’s glass platform, follow the self-guided 7 km Larano coastal trail. English-speaking drivers such as Rosbert, André, and Luis provide directions and island stories.

“We had the most perfect day and can’t recommend it enough. We caught a beautiful sunrise and managed to make it all the way to the Stairs of Heaven in the allotted time. We stopped off for coffee and some Madeira cake (great fuel) and I’m not exaggerating when I say it may be the best coffee I have ever had. The 7km hike along the coast was great, plenty of shade, really easy trail to follow and stunning views of the sea. We were outside of the pick up zone but it was no problem for them to arrange to collect us from our hotel (for an extra fee),…”

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Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup - Hotel pickup and the one-hour drive into the mountains
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Madeira: Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

6.Pico Ruivo Guided Sunrise Hike with Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews · 5 hours · from $68Best guided

Start with hotel pickup and a one-hour drive to Achada do Teixeira. Guide Carlos leads a small group up Pico Ruivo in the dark, pointing out stars and pacing the 260-meter climb with breaks. At the summit, enjoy sunrise, hot tea, and a granola bar before walking back and riding to your accommodation.

“Incredible views that really were breathtaking! Well worth the trip!”

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Morning Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira - Pico do Arieiro: start above the clouds
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Morning Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira

7.Morning Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 243 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

You’ll ride from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro, then hike independently through tunnels, steep steps, and high mountain scenery to Madeira’s Pico Ruivo. The 11-kilometer route ends at Achada do Teixeira, where your driver collects you. Drivers such as Carlos, Radko, Ciro, and Michael provide trail advice and timely transfers, but this is not a guided hike.

“Absolutely brilliant trip. Amazing views on the hike which was worth it alone. Our driver Michael was great fun and had a lot of information about the local area and what to expect on the hike itself. Would definitely recommend this to those who love adventure. The hike was moderate to hard with the heat so food, water and sunscreen is definitely needed however all of this information was provided in advance and plenty of time was allowed to complete the trip before the pick up time.”

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Sunrise Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira - What the small van changes
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Sunrise Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira

8.Sunrise Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Start before dawn, reach Pico do Arieiro for sunrise, then hike toward Madeira’s 1,862-meter Pico Ruivo before finishing at Achada do Teixeira. You set the pace while Pico Transfers handles the ride, pickup, route briefing, and return. Groups are capped at eight, with drivers such as Michael, Miguel, Cito, and Ulisses praised for clear help and punctual service.

“Good and correct communication , clear timing and pick Up locations , trustworthy ! Good and friendly drivers, punctual pick Up”

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From Funchal: Machico to Porto da Cruz Larano Cliff Hike - The first miles through Madeira’s working countryside
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From Funchal: Machico to Porto da Cruz Larano Cliff Hike

9.Machico to Porto da Cruz Larano Cliff Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 189 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Spend about eight hours hiking from Machico to Porto da Cruz with Lido Tours. You’ll cross farmland, levada paths, and exposed cliff sections while looking toward São Lourenço and Porto Santo. Guides including Charlotte and Sara explain Madeira’s plants, people, and past. Hotel pickup is available from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço.

“It was a magical experience. So, so much more than a hike, a full round Maderian experience from understanding the people, culture, history, flora and fauna so much more. Thank you Sara, you made it such a special day xxx”

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Madeira: Rabaçal Valley and the 25 Fountains Hike - Pickup, minibus, and the road to Calheta
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Madeira: Rabaçal Valley and the 25 Fountains Hike

10.Rabaçal Valley and the 25 Fountains Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 171 reviews · 7 hours · from $54

Travel by minibus from selected Madeira hotels to Rabaçal for an 11-kilometer guided walk through Laurissilva Forest. See Risco Waterfall, the 25 Fountains Lagoon, native plants, levadas, and a natural tunnel. The hike takes about 4.5 hours and suits reasonably fit walkers.

“I had a great time on this hike. The scenery was just breathtaking in places, the waterfalls were lovely, though obviously crowded, and Darya, our guide, was knowledgeable and interesting, giving us little details and little facts all along the way to keep us entertained. She was also very understanding of the older folk like me, who were not the fittest of hikers! All in all I'd thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone.”

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Other ways to spend the day on foot

Mountain & Summit Hikes129Volcano Hikes97Waterfall Hikes60Guided Day Hikes93Glacier Hikes51National Park Hikes42
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Pick a kind of walking day

Rock, ice, forest or crater rim.

Above the treeline

Summit HikesVolcano ClimbsGlacier WalksKilimanjaroEverest Base Camp

Water and rock

Waterfall TrailsCanyons & GorgesLakes & LagoonsCave HikesCliff Paths

How you walk it

Guided Day HikesPrivate GuidesSmall GroupsLunch IncludedSnowshoe Days

Trees and trails

Forest & JungleNational ParksEasy Nature WalksSunrise StartsSunset Walks