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Madeira Hiking

Our most recommended Madeira Hiking

Madeira Walks - Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

1. Madeira Walks - Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

Discover the waterfalls of Rabaçal on this guided hike. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off in an airconditioned bus from several points on the island of Madeira. Immerse yourself in the unique flora and fauna of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation and sit back and relax on the drive to the Rabaçal reserve. Follow your guide on a trail of intense natural beauty that is brimming with waterfalls. Look for local flora and fauna as you walk through this lush wonderland. Pass by 25 natural springs which fall into a small crystal clear lake that is surrounded by dense vegetation. Listen to the falling water and the chirping of birds. Return to your accommodation by bus at the end of your tour.

Madeira: Level-1 Canyoning Adventure

2. Madeira: Level-1 Canyoning Adventure

Discover why Madeira island is one of the top five places in the world for canyoning on this canyoning adventure tour. Rappel down waterfalls and experience the area’s natural splendor. Head up to the mountains where you will receive your canyoning gear. After being decked out in gear, it will be time for a small hike through some of the most impressive nature that Madeira has to offer. Rappel down sparkling waterfalls, where the mountain spring waters are always flowing.  Swim in the natural swimming pools along the canyons. In some of the canyons you may also have the opportunity to slide down natural water slides. Once the activity ends, change back into your dry clothes and return to your accommodation.

From Funchal: Intermediate (Level 2) Canyoning Adventure

3. From Funchal: Intermediate (Level 2) Canyoning Adventure

Start with pickup from Funchal, Canico or Câmara De Lobos and drive to the canyoning location. Meet your guides and receive all your equipment for the activity. Take a 20-minute walk to the entrance of a stream where the first safety briefing will take place. Along the way, abseil down breath-taking waterfalls, jump and swim in beautiful natural pools, always surrounded by incredible landscapes. With natural water slides, abseiling, and jumps into natural rock pools the canyons are sure to make your heart skip a beat. The beginning of the stream has some vertical challenges (20m), small walking sections, and many play areas. The river will be flowing by the entire time with several optional jumps. The challenge continues following a quick snack break with waterfalls. Guides will take pictures and videos of your experience throughout the day, to be sent to you afterward. At the end of the trip, there will be transportation to bring you back to the park where you began your adventure.

From Funchal: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro with Breakfast

4. From Funchal: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro with Breakfast

After pickup, travel to Pico do Arieiro where you will enjoy the sunrise. This is the highest viewpoint of the island at 1818 meters of altitude. See the sunrise while enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy a buffet-style breakfast of sandwiches, homemade cake, biscuits, water, orange juice, fruit jam, cheese, and ham. Then, travel back to Camacha and go for a lovely walk in the Paradise Valley area. Admire the views of some endemic trees from the Laurissilva forest. Then, head back to the city center with drop-off at your hotel or at a central point.

Hike Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

5. Hike Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

The sun rises over your hotel as you set out on your walking tour adventure. Leaving from the comforts of your room in Funchal on the Madeira Islands, we'll drive you up to the third highest peak in Madeira - the magnificent Pico Arieiro. You'll sip coffee or a drink on your way up to the base of the peak, looking out at all the stunning beauty this place has to offer. As we head from sea level up to the base at 5,964ft (1818m), you'll pass beautiful flora and fauna. Finally, we'll begin our mighty walk up the mighty Pico Arieiro up to the highest point on the island, the Pico Ruivo peak at 6107 ft (1862m). Finally, we'll walk down to Teixeira where you'll be comfortably transferred back to your hotel. And of course, no day of hiking is complete without a drink at a traditional bar, so we'll make sure to stop at one with a spectacular view to enjoy the closing of your day!

Funchal/Caniço: Pico Do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Hike Transfers

6. Funchal/Caniço: Pico Do Arieiro & Pico Ruivo Hike Transfers

Benefit from a morning transfer service from Funchal or Caniço to embark on your self-guided hike of Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. After pickup from your accommodation, drive to Pico Do Arieiro in the late morning where the hike starts. Your driver will provide a briefing with all the information needed about the route and the timings. You can walk on your own or join other people in the group. Walk from Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain on Madeira Island with 1862 meters of altitude. You will have 4 and a half hours to complete the hike, which is plenty of time even for slow hikers. Admire breathtaking views along the trail and feel as if you are walking above the clouds. On the challenging path, you will find a few tunnel walks and the famous stairs to heaven. Finally, arrive at Achada Do Teixeira, the ending point of the hike. Your driver will be waiting there to bring you back to your accommodation.

Madeira Day Trip: Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

7. Madeira Day Trip: Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

Depart Funchal and journey to the start of your walk, where you will follow the routes of the "levada" irrigation system developed in the 16th century by Madeira's first settlers. Descend from the plateau of Paul da Serra to the Rabaçal guesthouse and walk to the waterfall of the Levada do Risco. Continue towards the Levada das 25 Fontes, dominated by moorland at its highest point. Walk until you reach a small lagoon at the bottom of an enormous cliff, and marvel at the sight of 25 natural springs cascading into the lake. Return along a different path, passing through a tunnel that carries water to the south of the island. Admire a wide variety of endemic flora and fauna along the way.

Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes

8. Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes

The Rabaçal 25 Fontes walk starts in the Rabaçal, a walk through the middle of the Laurissilva forest, through the irrigation canals that reach the lagoon from the 25 Fontes. The origin of the name of the Levada of the 25 Fontes is due to the fact that there is a lagoon with 25 springs at the end of Levada, it is the most beautiful point of the whole walk with a large waterfall falling into a small lagoon. Throughout the tour you have an immense variety of species of flora and fauna  to gaze at on the island of Madeira. This Levada has a small passage from the north coast to the south coast, with a very interesting history due to its origin and the way it was built. It is one of the most famous of all the islands because of the unforgettable landscapes and sensations along the whole walk.

Madeira Island: Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

9. Madeira Island: Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

Caldeirão Verde means green cauldron in Portuguese and well describes the environs of this 6.5-kilometer walk. This half-day levada walk takes you through the highest area of Santana. A levada is an aqueduct or irrigation channel that is unique to the island of Madeira. This is without doubt one of the most beautiful levadas on Madeira. Located in the Laurissilva forest the highlights of the trail include fantastic views of São Jorge and a series of tunnels of natural basaltic rock. Start out in the emerald green Queimadas rainforest and enjoy scenic views over villages as you follow alongside the winding levada and through 5 short natural tunnels. When you arrive at Caldeirão Verde you’ll marvel at the majestic waterfall.

From Funchal: Madeira Peaks Mountain Walk

10. From Funchal: Madeira Peaks Mountain Walk

Hike through the three highest peaks in Madeira on this day trip from Funchal. Connect with nature on a guided hike to Pico Ruivo. Enjoy transfersf rom Funchal aboard an airconditioned van to the trail starting point.  Hop aboard a comfortable van and relax on the drive into the countryside. Begin your hike and pass by rock formations that look like giant sculptures stretching towards heaven.  Get breathtaking views on almost every step of your journey. Discover a profusion of unique plants and fragile flowers in their natural habitat, and be dazzled by the myriad colors in the springtime. Walk through Madeira's oldest heather forest near Pico Ruivo, and see ancient trees that were alive when Zarco landed on Madeira for the first time. Admire the peak of Pico Ruivo, famous as the highest point on the island and known for its views from coast to coast.

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What people are saying about Madeira

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,095 reviews

Amazing views and a very knowledgeable guide made this a day to remember. Everything went smoothly starting with the pre-arranged pick up from close to my accommodation. The hike was correctly described as hard. It is strenuous and requires a good level of fitness. I was worried about the vertigo warnings but the more dangerous sections all had a safely rope and were no problem. Highly recommended!

Small group (12 people in total). Friendly and knowledgeable guide, Sara, who ensure that everyone in the group from 18 to 70 years had a great day. A few hundred stairs along the way to navigate, as advertised, but manageable for all participants. Great scenery including the waterfalls, a great way to spend a day on the beautiful island of Madeira.

The guides were amazing and so was the experience. Definitely recommend as a must do activity while you are in Madeira!

Good organisation and pick up. Strenuous hike and a great guide.

Just beautiful hike, although we had to do an alternative hike.