Why you should plan a hiking trip to Madeira, Portugal

Located around 435 miles from the west coast of Africa, the four islands that make up the Portuguese region of Madeira have welcomed European visitors looking to escape cold winters for centuries. But most recently, the archipelago’s main Madeira Island has begun to tempt a new type of tourist, those looking to explore its mesmerising volcanic landscapes by foot. Madeira’s spectacular levadas (irrigation tunnels that run alongside hiking paths), combined with an increasingly exciting culinary scene and plenty of coastal activity make this one of 2025’s best walking destinations. Here’s why it should be on any active adventurer’s list.

1. Hikes steeped in history

To walk Madeira’s levadas is to walk the island’s history. A series of over 200 water canals that span almost 2,000 miles (an impressive feat on an island that measures just 34 miles in length and 14 miles in width), the levadas date back to the 15th century, when Portuguese settlers reached this then-uninhabited island. These irrigation channels were initially created to transport water from the wet north to the dry south. Yet, over the decades, their purpose has been highly varied, from providing drinking and washing water to remote parts of the island to generating hydroelectricity and irrigating banana plantations.

Nowadays, these same levadas help to guide hikers through the island’s diverse topography — winding through forests, mountains and coastal bluffs. Don’t miss a morning jaunt on the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, a moderate-intensity point-to-point hike that skirts a deep emerald wooded ravine. For history buffs, this route can be paired with a visit to the famous collection of traditional A-framed houses named ‘Casas de Santana’ in the afternoon.

2. Varied routes amid volcanic scenery

Hiking in Madeira is an unrivalled experience, largely due to the island’s epic landscapes. One minute, you’re dashing beneath 65ft waterfalls or squeezing through dark, craggy tunnels; the next, you’re climbing steps that reach high beyond the clouds. Regardless of your chosen path, spellbinding views across the island’s central mountain range or panoramas across the North Atlantic Ocean appear around just about every corner. And the beauty of hiking in Madeira is that you’re never more than a few miles from a body of water to plunge into — be it the outdoor lido in the idyllic surf town of Porto Da Cruz or the warm Atlantic Ocean off the sandy shores of Calheta, on the island’s south side.

3. A trail for every taste

More daring visitors will relish the six-mile route up to the peak of Pico Ruivo, Portugal’s third-highest point, which stands at 6,106ft and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding valleys. For those that want to keep the altitude — and activity level — slightly lower, Levada dos Tornos, is a more modest yet equally beautiful route that meanders along the trickling aqueduct and through a 20-million-year-old subtropical laurel rainforest. Expect plenty of fluffy bearded trees and The Lord of The Rings-style scenery.

Or, head up north to Levada do Caldeirão Verde, where you can hike in the morning and swim in the famous lava rock pools at Porto Moniz in the afternoon. This levada is also known as ‘um caminho para todos’ (a path for everyone) and its wide, accessible trail and accompanying sensory experiences have been designed to allow those of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy the island’s natural pleasures. Regardless of your chosen walk’s difficulty level, it’s always best to go with a professional levada guide who’ll help you safely navigate trying terrain and share local knowledge along the way.

4. Distinctive culinary delights

Before any adventure, be sure to stock up on provisions at Mercado dos Lavradores (the farmers market) in Madeira’s capital, Funchal. Here, you can take your pick of Madeira Island’s famous tropical fruit — from passionfruit to custard apples and pears. Many of Madeira’s hikes finish in villages or towns, offering the opportunity to sample national or regional delicacies. In the more mountainous regions, stop at a taberna (local restaurant) and expect to be served hearty espetada — a succulent beef skewer. Meanwhile, on the coast, there’s nothing better than tucking into some fresh, tender polvo (octopus) or grilled tuna line-caught that day, washed down with a poncha cocktail (aguardente, lemon or orange and sugar or honey) after a bracing walk. The more adventurous can also sample distinctive local delicacies like the toothy black scabbardfish with bananas.

5. World-class wines

No visit to Madeira could be complete without also sampling the archipelago’s famous wines, a welcome treat after a day on the trails. Madeira’s wines were historically fortified with sugarcane distillate to preserve them for journeys at sea, leading to the characteristic sweet flavour that typifies them today. End a day’s hiking with a tasting at Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal. The Blandy family have been producing wine here for more than two centuries, making it the perfect spot to learn more about the region’s winemaking prestige — and sample a glass or two yourself.

6. A prime hiking climate

Madeira wasn’t nicknamed the ‘island of eternal spring’ for nothing, as temperatures hover between 18-27C year-round. However, it can be considerably cooler in the mountains — ideal conditions for walking. Packing an umbrella and a waterproof is always advised, however, as the weather at higher altitudes can be unpredictable at times. Part of the joy of exploring this small island is that you could be hiking in torrential rain one moment and floating in the lukewarm ocean under clear blue skies half an hour later.