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Madeira hiking trails

Choose the right hiking trail in Madeira

In the interior of the island of Madeira you will find a magnificent, almost untouched mountain world. There are a surprising number of hiking trails here, some through the dense, untouched laurel forest . However, the tours through the central mountains of Madeira are not a leisurely Sunday stroll. There are only a few easy tours here. The mountains are therefore more suitable for advanced, sporty hikers.

Beginners and less experienced people should therefore study the hiking trails on Madeira carefully in advance so as not to overwhelm themselves. A guided hike should also be considered at the beginning.

Classification of hiking trails in Madeira

The hiking routes in Madeira are divided into 2 types: the so-called small routes (PR) and the large routes (GR)


The small hiking trails in Madeira

What is the abbreviation for the small routes? Small routes have the abbreviation PR ( pequena rota)

What is the approximate distance of a small route? They cover distances of less than 30 km

What colors are typical for small routes in Madeira? These small routes are signaled yellow and red.


The major hiking trails in Madeira

What is the approximate distance of a major route? They are more than 30 km long

What abbreviation is used for the major routes in Madeira? The Long Routes have the abbreviation GR (Grande Rota)

What colors are typical for large routes in Madeira? Large routes are signaled in white and red.

How long does one of the major routes usually take? It usually takes more than 1 day to go through them


Small and large hiking routes in Madeira

The hiking routes in Madeira are divided into 2 types: the so-called small routes (PR) and the large routes (GR):

- Small routes - acronym PR - cover distances of less than 30 km and can usually be covered in one day. These routes are signalized yellow and red.

- The Long Routes - acronym GR - are more than 30 km long and usually take more than 1 day to complete and are marked in white and red.


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Map of the official hiking trails in Madeira

These hiking trails, which are recommended by the official organization, all have the PR designation, i.e. smaller daily routes.


  1. PR15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela
  2. Levada dos Cedros
  3. PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar
  4. 25 Fontes Levada
  5. PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes / Levada do Risco
  6. Levada do Alecrim
  7. Lagoa do Vento
  8. PR13 Vereda do Fanal
  9. PR22 Chao dos Louros Hiking Trail
  10. PR21 Caminho do Norte
  11. Levada do Moinho
  12. Caminho Real da Encumeada (PR12)
  13. PR2 Вереда-ду-Урзал
  14. PR1 Vereda do Areeiro
  15. PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo
  16. PR1.3 Vereda da Encumeada
  17. PR 4 Levada do Barreiro
  18. PR11 Levada dos Balcões
  19. PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
  20. Vereda da Ilha
  21. PR18 Levada do Rei
  22. Vereda das Funduras (PR5)
  23. Ponta de São Lourenço

TIP: Not all hiking trails are open all year round 


PLEASE note: Not all hiking trails are open all year round. Please pay attention to the official communication from the Madeira Authority (= Regional Secretariat for the Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change). Here is the LINK >>>

Popular hike 

The Levada das 25 Fontes and the Levada do Risco


The Levada das 25 Fontes and the Levada do Risco are one of the most visited tours in Madeira. The path is well secured. The hike is definitely one of the highlights on Madeira and is also suitable for beginners.