Discover island magic on a Madeira hiking holiday

What are the best hiking trails in Madeira?

Madeira is a small island, but it has a wide variety of hiking opportunities. For gentle hiking in Madeira, you can start with the famous Levadas. These are ancient irrigation channels which have been turned into trekking hotspots. The best may be the Levada do Caldeirão Verde route, which is nearly 9 km long (many hikers make it a return trip, so 18 km total). Along the way, you'll encounter several stunning waterfalls. The 12-km Pico a Pico (Peak to Peak) route is ideal for a challenging hike in Madeira. It takes hikers from Pico de Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, the two highest points on the island. This is not for beginners: at times you'll need to grip handrails as you follow the narrow paths along the mountains. However, you'll be rewarded with spectacular, sweeping views across the island. The 7-km PR8, or Ponta de São Lourenço hike, is another great route. It'll take about two and a half hours to complete this trek, which leads you through an otherworldly landscape carved by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.

Where should I stay to be close to Madeira's best hikes?

As Madeira is a small island, you can stay pretty much anywhere. Most visitors look for holiday lettings in Madeira around the capital city of Funchal, as there are lots of amenities to be found. Regular bus services will take you to the start points of the most popular hikes in Madeira. It's a good idea to have the number of a taxi company on hand too, in case of emergencies. Some hikers rent a car, but that limits your flexibility - you'll have to always return to your starting point at the end of a trek. Madeira's Levada walks tend to be one-way routes, so having the ability to start and finish at different points is often preferable.