15 Guided Day Hikes in Madeira to Build a Day Around

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 299 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $39Our pick

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 trail conditions and meeting points. PR1 closures may mean a switch to PR3.

“This was a great group to book our transfer service with. Great communication leading up to our booking date and he was super clear with instructions for where to meet him at the bottom of P3 and it was a beautiful hike. Very conversational and made the ride up and down entertaining. We lucked out with a gorgeous sunrise and fabulous weather the next morning. The only warning I’d give is to be prepared for the drive up if you get a little queasy in the car. Not the company’s fault, just a warning for folks who are looking into this. Lots of sharp twists and turns ☺️. Would definitely…”

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

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

Walk Madeira’s volcanic eastern tip with a multilingual guide such as Rubi, Sergio, or Charlotte. Expect cliffs, unusual rock formations, open ocean views, native plants, optional summit sections, and time for a swim. Hotel pickup is available from selected locations in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço.

“This is an amazing hike. I would include it to the top 3 trips to do in Madeira. The views are extremely beautiful! Unfortunately, I don’t see it on the list of the most trendy trips, but it should definitely be there! Amazing views, relaxing hike with very pleasing challenges and an opportunity to swim in a cristal clear water. The guide was very knowledgeable, explained a lot about flora and fauna of the ‘Madeiran tail’ and let everyone walk at their own pace. We also had plenty of personal time - something I haven’t seen with other tours. Highly recommended”

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3.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 from Pico do Areeiro toward Pico Ruivo with a certified guide such as David or Ronaldo. Expect steep steps, changing mountain weather, dramatic views, and a final stop at Santana’s traditional houses.

“La companhia du guide Très attentionné avec tout le groupe très gentil Très paciente Nous aidait à prendre de fotos e faire de vidéos toujours prêt quand on lui demandait La sortie je n’ai pas de mots pour le décrire C’était dur la caminhada Très contente de avoir vu le lever du soleil Quelles couleurs magnifiques Le guide nous a choisi un place porque on puisse regarder mieux le lever du soleil où il avait moins de monde Le trajet avec des magnifiques montagne, des vues extraordinaires Très bien”

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4.Rabaçal, Risco and 25 Fontes Guided Hiking Tour

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

Join a small group of up to 15 people for an 11 km guided walk from Rabaçal to Risco waterfall and 25 Fontes Lake. Guides such as Magno, Leonel, and Oscar explain Madeira’s laurel forest and plants. The day includes transport from Funchal or Caniço and a return through the Cavaleiro tunnel.

“We had a great experience with Magno! He provided a through tour and is very knowledgable (particularly about fruit and trees). He was very patient with all members of the tour! We would highly recommend him to anyone.”

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5.Madeira Lakes Levada Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 88 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Walk 10 kilometers beside Madeira’s Levada do Alecrim with a guide such as Sarah or Rubina. Expect forest paths, waterfalls, rock pools, mountain lakes, a possible summer swim, hotel pickup, and a few steep sections on rough ground.

“Schöne Tour mit vielen schönen Spots, angenehm zu laufen auch bei 26C da weite Teile der Tour sonnengeschützt verlaufen. Unsere Tourführerin Rubina zeigte uns viele Besonderheiten und schöne Spots. Rundum eine tolle und interessante Tour. Festes Schuhwerk sollte eine Selbstverständlichkeit sein und Kondition für diese Tour auch. Es geht auf einigen Stellen doch schon etwas steiler nach oben. Ich würde diese Tour auf jeden Fall empfehlen, bei schlechtem Wetter ist die Tour ehr nicht zu empfehlen, da es sehr rutschig sein könnte.”

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6.PR6 & PR6.1 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Self-Guided Hiking Rabaçal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $41

Travel by air-conditioned van from Funchal, Caniço, or nearby central areas to Rabaçal, where hosts explain the PR6 and PR6.1 routes. Walk independently for five hours, visit the 25 Fontes springs and Risco waterfall, then return to the same parking lot for your ride back.

“Pedro picked us up on time to take us to the entrance of the lavada walk. We received all information and map instructions and set off. It's a really busy path but very pretty. We did PR6 first and had time to do PR3 before doing the PR 6.1 The latter was the easiest, the former the hardest. Definitely wear good shoes as it can get steep and slippery. Also bring enough food/drink as there is no opportunity to buy anything. It's mostly under trees so not too much sunshine.”

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7.Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self-Guided Hike in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $48

Take a self-guided walk along Madeira’s Caldeirão Verde levada from Pico das Pedras. You’ll pass through Laurissilva forest, tunnels, narrow paths, and waterfalls, with pickup, return transport, WiFi, and a small group of up to six. Drivers such as Vítor and Roberto provide route advice.

“Very good experience. Our driver was on time, provided clear directions about the hike, and was helpful sharing information about Madeira.”

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8.Queimadas Natural Park 5-Hour Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 56 reviews · from $48

Follow the 18th-century Caldeirão Verde levada through Queimadas Natural Park on a 12-kilometer guided hike. Expect steep mountain scenery, waterfalls, hand-cut tunnels, and roughly five hours on foot. Hotel pickup, insurance, and a multilingual mountain guide are included.

“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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9.Fanal Forest Guided Hiking Tour

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

Madeira Trekking On Demand takes you by Jeep or SUV from your hotel to Fanal Forest for a guided walk among ancient laurel trees, misty viewpoints, and volcanic scenery. Your guide speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, or German, and the tour is private or small-group.

“Super Guide wirklich schöne Tour auch Spots gezeigt die abseits von den großen Touristen Strömen sind .”

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10.PR9 Caldeirão Verde Queimadas Levada Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Take an air-conditioned transfer from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, or Machico to Queimadas, then walk independently through Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest to Caldeirão Verde and Pico das Pedras. You get route instructions, about 5.5 hours, and a small group capped at 16 people.

“Diogo was a fantastic driver and had an excellent playlist throughout the drive. The hike was quite easy and the views of the waterfall at the end were breathtaking. I feel the time allotted for the hike was at least an hour too long as all our group was at the meeting point at least 30-45 minutes early. Overall, the experience was great and we enjoyed the transfer to the hike.”

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11.PR1 Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer (Morning slot)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $38Best value

Take an air-conditioned morning transfer from Funchal or Caniço to Pico do Arieiro, then hike at your own pace. The current route covers the 2.5 km Stairway to Heaven and 7.3 km Vereda do Burro, ending at Funchal Ecological Park. Drivers such as Luis, Felipe, and Diago provide trail advice and pickup details.

“Highly recommend this for doing the Pico do Ariero to Pico Ruvio hike! Our driver Luis was awesome. So friendly, funny and knowledgeable. After picking us up at the Achada do Texiera end stop, he even took us to a traditional Santana house on the way back to our lodging. This tour exceeded our expectations, mostly because of how great Luis made it!”

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12.Private Sunrise Guided hike on Pico do Areeiro or other custom

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.)

You’ll hike with a private mountain guide from Up Mountain Madeira, starting around 8 am from Funchal or Caniço. Nico handles transport, while guides such as David lead a custom route suited to your group. Pico do Areeiro may be possible, but the plan can change for weather, fires, or trail conditions.

“Unfortunately due to the fires, I was unable to do Pico do Areeiro, however, Nico was very communicative throughout the process and suggested another hike which was beautiful. Do not book with any other companies. I unfortunately had two other companies cancel for other hikes, both within days of when I was scheduled. Nico was able to get me in for another custom hike which was equally as beautiful. His guides know all of the secrets to the hikes I would have never know, as in different routes, not as busy of hikes, etc. Highly recommended them!”

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13.Larano / Boca do Risco full day hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $53

Join Madeira Explorers for a 4.5-hour guided hike from Pico do Facho to Boca do Risco and Larano. You’ll follow an old local path, walk beside a levada, cross a ridge, and see Madeira’s north coast. Guides speak English, French, and German.

“Beautiful hike. I only picked this one because the start time was better for me. The description and pictures were actually very uninspiring on the website. Georges, our guide was so knowledgable about the native plants and flowers. The views were breathtaking. Don’t be afraid to join the hike as a single person. Everyone was so friendly. Madeira, I will be back!”

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14.SUNRISE guided HIKE in Ponta de São Lourenço Natural reserve PR8

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $70

Start early from Funchal or Caniço and hike PR8 across Madeira’s eastern peninsula with a certified mountain guide. Expect a small group of up to eight, sunrise views, a three-hour walk, and pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle. Guide David may lead your outing.

“Aabsolutely must see experience , breathtaking view of the cliffs in morning light . Pleasant caring guide.. Ch arming cafeteria at the end of the walk, like a Mirage in the in the morning sun. Recommend a dip in the ocean., and the boat trip back to the mainland, including a visit to the caves. Lifetime experience.”

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15.Bica da Cana to Encumeada Guided Hike with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6.5 hours · from $206

Join guide João Quintal for an 11-kilometer, five-hour walk from Bica da Cana to Encumeada. You’ll cross Laurissilva forest, follow the flat Levada do Norte, pass through two rock tunnels, and finish with coffee overlooking the Serra de Água valley.

“Es war eine grandiose Wanderung. Wir sind auf 1550hm gestartet und auf den tiefsten Punkt auf 950hm hinab gestiegen. Dabei konnte man durch die verschiedenen Höhen verschiedene Vegetation erleben. Unser Guide João hat uns viel erklärt und war sich für keinen Scherz zu schade. Auf jede Frage konnte er adäquat antworten, manchmal auch mit einem zwinkernden Auge. Er führte uns zu verlassenen Ruininen, durch das Dickicht und zeigte uns mit Herzblut und Leidenschaft einen Teil seiner geliebten Insel. Man merkte schnell dass sein Herz für Madeira schlägt. Die Wanderung war etwas ganz besonderes weil sie unter anderem keine der bekannten oder beliebten Strecken ist, und damit nicht so überlaufen wa...”

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