ON FOOT · MADEIRA HIKING TOURS

Where to Walk: the 15 Best Madeira Hiking Tours

21 hikes  ·  from $32 a head

The good madeira hiking tours cap their group sizes and fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 15 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 $37

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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Madeira: Rabaçal, Risco and 25 Fontes Guided Hiking Tour - Following Levada do Risco to the waterfall
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Madeira: Rabaçal, Risco and 25 Fontes Guided Hiking Tour

11.Rabaçal, Risco and 25 Fontes Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 98 reviews · 8 hours · from $47

This 8-hour small-group hike follows an 11 km route from Rabaçal to Risco Waterfall and the 25 Fontes lake, then returns through the 800 m Cavaleiro tunnel. Guides such as Magno, Leonel, and Oscar add island stories and plant knowledge. Pickup is available from Funchal, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos, or Ribeira Brava.

“Beautiful walk, great guide, Magno was fantastic would recommend!”

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From Funchal/Caniço: Rabaçal Hike (25 Fontes) Bus Transfer - Choosing your pickup point in Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau
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From Funchal/Caniço: Rabaçal Hike (25 Fontes) Bus Transfer

12.From Funchal/Caniço: Rabaçal Hike (25 Fontes) Bus Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 77 reviews · from $32Cheapest way up

Take an early shuttle from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau to Rabaçal, then choose your own route around the 25 Fontes and Risco waterfalls. You get roughly five hours on foot, with no guide, followed by a 2:30 p.m. pickup near the Rabaçal Tunnel. Bring food, rain gear, and a flashlight.

“The transfer was on time there and back, and the driver was friendly and helpful, when we got to the destination he gave us good info for what to look out for when going to the pick up point. Not possible to get there by public transport and a taxi would have been a lot more so good value for money.”

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Queimadas Natural Park 5-Hour Guided Hike - From Funchal to Queimadas Natural Park
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Queimadas Natural Park 5-Hour Guided Hike

13.Queimadas Natural Park 5-Hour Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 56 reviews · from $48

Join a mountain guide for a 12-kilometer walk along Madeira’s historic Caldeirão Verde levada in Queimadas Natural Park. Expect steep mountain scenery, waterfalls, hand-carved tunnels, and a moderate trail at 990 meters. Hotel pickup is available from Funchal, Caniço, and Calheta, with guides speaking English, French, German, Spanish, or Portuguese.

“An enjoyable walk but it took 2 half hrs to arrive at the walk/starting point and not enough emphasis on equipment (Torch) which is vital when walking though the dark low tunnels. Disappointed when we thought we had returned to the starting point (8 miles) but then had too walk a further mile and a quarter to catch the buse which had orginally dropped as at the starting point earlier in the day. Then to be taken to a village which we didn't know about when all we wished to do is go back to our hotel and shower/rest. This was an unnessary addition too a very long day. Not…”

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Madeira: Fanal Forest Guided Hiking Tour - The ride from Madeira to the forest
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Madeira: Fanal Forest Guided Hiking Tour

14.Fanal Forest Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 42 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $70

Ride from your Madeira hotel to Fanal Forest with a guide speaking English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, or German. Walk among centuries-old laurel trees, stop for photographs, and look for mountain mist and north coast views. Private and small-group options are available, though the stated tour times should be confirmed before booking.

“Ik kan allen maar enthousiast zijn. Over de gids: hij deed het super rustig, iedereen kon zijn tijd nemen met het nemen van foto's. Hij waarschuwde iedere keer weer als het sliplerig kon zijn. Hij vertelde veel tijdens de rit ernaar toe. Stopte op deze fantastische stop waar je onder de rots doorloopt. Vooral de rust en de tijd die je kreeg om te lopen en te kijken met de informatie die hij gaf waren TOP. Het was mijn beste laatste dag in Madeira!”

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Hiking Trip with a Local - Monday: 25 Fountains, Risco, and waterfall country
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Hiking Trip with a Local

15.Hiking Trip with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 1 day · from $76

Spend a full day hiking Madeira with Dino, a certified local guide who adjusts the route to your pace and interests. Choose forests, waterfalls, levadas, high mountains, or exposed coast, with pickup and drop-off in Funchal or Caniço. Small groups of five or six are possible, and the weekly route plan helps you pick the right trail.

“Dino is an experienced hiker and knows so much about the island. He described in details everything we saw - from views, to animals and vegetation. He is very kind and always loom after the group. So grateful that we had the Vereda do Larano hike with him and we had the chance to experience both ocean views and forest trails.”

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