Walking in Madeira is one of the great pleasures of the island. With over 1200km of trails and water courses, there are walks to suit every ability and levels of fitness.
From mountains to farmland, forests to heath, subtropical fauna and indigenous species, the island truly is the garden of the Atlantic.
Madeira is 57km east – west, and 27km north – south.
The highest peak is Pico Ruivo (1862m), with Pico Das Torres coming in a close second. Pico Areeiro is third highest, at 1818m.
The temperature is usually between 18C and 24C but being an island, it can change dramatically and quickly.
We include all the official walks here, with points of interest along the way, and some of the plants and birds to be seen. Most of the walks are well signposted. Keep in mind that times and distances shown on the walks are mostly ‘one way’, so you will need to make arrangements to get back to your car, or arrange for a taxi to collect you at the end. Tour companies can arrange all transport links.
Total Time 3 H
Total Distance 8.2 Km
Highest Altitude 1764 m
Lowest Altitude 485 m
DIFFICULTY hard
Total Time 1.3 H
Total Distance 2.8 Km
Highest Altitude 1861 m
Lowest Altitude 1535 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 6 H
Total Distance 11.2 Km
Highest Altitude 1761 m
Lowest Altitude 1000 m
DIFFICULTY hard
Total Time: 4:30 H
Distance: 10,6 Km
Highest Altitude: 1450 m /
Lowest Altitude 519 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Time 3 H
Total Distance 8.6 Km
Highest Altitude 605 m
Lowest Altitude 175 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time: 4:30 H
Distance: 10,6 Km
Highest Altitude: 1450 m /
Lowest Altitude 519 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Time 2.30 H
Total Distance 3.5 Km
Highest Altitude 1500 m
Lowest Altitude 900 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 1.30 H
Total Distance 1.8 Km
Highest Altitude 1600 m
Lowest Altitude 200 m
DIFFICULTY easy
Total Time 3.30 H
Total Distance 10.3 Km
Highest Altitude 900 m
Lowest Altitude 496 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 2.30 H
Total Distance 4 Km
Highest Altitude 110 m
Lowest Altitude 5 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 5 H
Total Distance 6.5 Km
Highest Altitude 980 m
Lowest Altitude 890 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 5 H
Total Distance 11 Km
Highest Altitude 870 m
Lowest Altitude 520 m
DIFFICULTY easy
Total Time 1.30 H
Total Distance 1.5 Km
Highest Altitude 630 m
Lowest Altitude 630 m
DIFFICULTY easy
Total Time 6 H
Total Distance 12.5 Km
Highest Altitude 1340 m
Lowest Altitude 940 m
DIFFICULTY hard
Total Time 4 H
Total Distance 10.8 Km
Highest Altitude 1420 m
Lowest Altitude 1130 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 3 H
Total Distance 5.8 Km
Highest Altitude 1130 m
Lowest Altitude 840 m
DIFFICULTY easy
Total Time 1.30 H
Total Distance 2.7 Km
Highest Altitude 820 m
Lowest Altitude 400 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 3 H
Total Distance 3.9 Km
Highest Altitude 580 m
Lowest Altitude 580 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 6 H
Total Distance 15.5 Km
Highest Altitude 1620 m
Lowest Altitude 1000 m
DIFFICULTY hard
Total Time 3.30 H
Total Distance 5.1 Km
Highest Altitude 710 m
Lowest Altitude 530 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 1.20H
Total Distance 1.8 Km
Highest Altitude 535 m
Lowest Altitude 35 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time: 1 H
Distance: 1.9 Km
Highest Altitude: 530m
Lowest Altitude 35m
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 1.5 H
Distance: 3.2 Km
Highest Altitude: 1000m
Lowest Altitude 320m
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Distance: 1.9 Km
Highest Altitude: 890m
Lowest Altitude 830m
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time 1.30 H
Total Distance 2.7 Km
Highest Altitude 450 m
Lowest Altitude 184 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 3 H
Total Distance 8 Km
Highest Altitude 435 m
Lowest Altitude 225 m
DIFFICULTY medium
Total Time 3 H
Total Distance 8 Km
Highest Altitude 435 m
Lowest Altitude 225 m
DIFFICULTY medium
