© Maren Kowalke
Madeira — hiking in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
Hiking Collection by komoot
8
Tours
31:57 h
50.9 mi
15,125 ft
In the middle of the deep blue Atlantic, the reddish-brown mountain slopes of Madeira tower above the floods. While the sun-drenched south is densely populated, you will still find unique and untouched nature on the north coast and inland. And although the island is quite small, the landscape is incredibly varied: The rugged peaks of the central mountain range, the cloudy Paul da Serra plateau, the steep cliffs of the north coast and the enchanted laurel forests are all waiting to be discovered. To see it all, you can enjoy challenging mountain hikes or stick to the coast—or discover the island nature along the levadas. These narrow water channels have been guiding the water from the mountain streams down to the terraced fields of the population for hundreds of years. The footpaths along the levadas are often almost at ground level and so even leisurely hikers can explore deep into the nature of Madeira.
We have selected eight routes for you to discover the diversity of Madeira. The Levada hikes, the jungle of Fanal and the peninsula of São Lorenço are suitable for families, while the hikes in the Massif Central make the hearts of every experienced mountaineer beat faster. If you spend an entire week in Madeira, all you need to do is determine the order of your hikes and then start exploring the unique volcanic island.
Madeira has a very mild climate, the winters are quite warm and in the summer it does not get too hot. Therefore, you'll find perfect hiking weather all year round. The best way to explore the island is in a rental car, with which you can reach even the most remote hiking trails.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- 01:453.67 mi2.1 mph575 ft575 ftEasyEasy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Once Madeira was completely covered by dense, mist-covered forests, but the first settlers cleared the forests to create land for agriculture. Only in the most impassable valleys and on the windy plateaus can today be found even larger primeval forests. A particularly beautiful jungle can be found on…
by komoot
- 03:226.12 mi1.8 mph1,650 ft1,650 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Levada do Rei is one of the most beautiful hiking tours in Madeira. The narrow irrigation canal leads through dense forests and is very easy to walk along the entire path. At the end of the walk you will reach the Ribeiro Bonito surrounded by dense laurel forest. The 'Beautiful River', as the German…
by komoot
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- 05:068.42 mi1.6 mph2,950 ft2,950 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Levada Central is one of the most beautiful levadas and leads you through fantastic views over the dramatic Ribeira da Janela valley through the green jungle of Madeira. The trail is initially very well developed and is a bit more demanding with the track. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are…
by komoot
- 02:415.76 mi2.1 mph800 ft800 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Countless Levadas flow on Madeira from the mountains down to the terraced fields. Many of the irrigation channels are carefully maintained and enjoy great popularity with hikers from around the world. Especially the levadas through the green and dense forests are very popular. The Levada do Bica da Cana…
by komoot
- 02:124.57 mi2.1 mph750 ft750 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The São Lorenço peninsula is a unique natural area in Madeira. Due to the low altitude and the exposed location in the very east of the island there is hardly any precipitation here. As a result, only little vegetation grows here. While the meadows in spring are still green and interspersed with blooming…
by komoot
- 05:279.81 mi1.8 mph2,525 ft2,525 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The north of Madeira is famous for its cliffs, which drop in many places over hundreds of meters perpendicular to the sea. In the northeast of the island a spectacular path leads through the steep cliff face and you have incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the reddish brown cliffs. Although the…
by komoot
- 06:086.72 mi1.1 mph3,300 ft3,300 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The Pico Ruivo is with 1,862 meters the highest peak in Madeira. It dominates the breathtaking mountain landscape of the Madeiran Massif Central, formed by rugged peaks, vertical cliffs and deep valleys. The signposted mountain trail PR1 leads from the third highest mountain Pico do Areerio over narrow…
by komoot
- 05:155.86 mi1.1 mph2,600 ft2,600 ftExpertExpert mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The Massif Central of Madeira invites to extended mountain tours. A particularly beautiful route is the mountain trail between the Encumeada Pass and the Pico Ruivo. The demanding mountain path is rarely committed and takes you through breathtaking nature. Our hike leads as a classic mountain hike from…
by komoot
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance50.9 mi
- Duration31:57 h
- Elevation15,125 ft
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