Levadas & Peaks: Madeira Hiking Guide
The walks that made Madeira famous – levada trails along old irrigation channels, the Pico do Arieiro ridge, and which routes now need a paid booking.
- Easiest levada
- Flat, tunnel-free, under 2 hours
- Signature hard route
- Pico do Arieiro–Ruivo ridge, PR1
- Booking needed
- Every classified PR trail, from €4.50
- Unclassified levadas
- Still free, no booking
The Best Hikes in Madeira: A Ranked Guide for 2026
A ridge traverse above the clouds, dozens of levada walks and a bare volcanic peninsula. Here are Madeira's best hikes ranked, with 2026 booking rules and fees.
Read the guideLevada walks vs peak trails – different trails, different rules
A "levada" walk follows one of Madeira's centuries-old irrigation channels – mostly flat, shaded, and safe for most fitness levels; see levada walks for the full list. The peak trails around Pico do Arieiro are a different sport: exposed ridgelines, real elevation, and not for anyone uneasy with heights.
Every classified PR trail now needs a paid booking
Since the 2026 rule change, every PR-numbered trail – including Caldeirão Verde (PR9) and the Arieiro–Ruivo ridge (PR1) – needs a timed-entry slot booked through the government SIMplifica portal, from €4.50 per person (€10.50 for PR1, or €3 with a licensed RNAAT tour operator). Unclassified levadas are still free and walk-up.
If you only do one hike
Pick Ponta de São Lourenço for a coastal walk over dramatic dry cliffs with no levada tunnels, or Curral das Freiras for the classic Nuns' Valley viewpoint with an easy option to just drive to the miradouro instead of walking down.
