Madeira Hiking Trails Map: Free & Permit Routes
Interactive guide to all 34 official PR walking routes on Madeira Island. Under regional IFCN regulations, seven flagship routes require an official visitor conservation permit (4.50€ via SIMplifica), while 27 routes offer open public access with zero fees.
All Monitored Routes (34)
Click any card to inspect on mapVereda do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro ➔ Pico Ruivo)
7 km · ~3.5h · hard
Highest peaks in Madeira · High alpine ridge catwalks · Volcanic stairways above clouds
Vereda do Pico Ruivo (Achada do Teixeira)
2.8 km · ~1.5h · moderate
Shortest route to Pico Ruivo · Basalt monolith "Homem em Pé" · Broad stone path
Levada das 25 Fontes (Rabaçal)
4.6 km · ~3h · moderate
25 natural spring waterfall pool · Ancient laurel forest canopy · Historic stone water canal
Levada do Risco (Rabaçal)
1.5 km · ~1h · easy
Towering vertical waterfall cascade · Wide accessible path · Lush laurissilva basin
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
4 km · ~2.5h · moderate
Dramatic volcanic sea cliff spine · Atlantic ocean on both sides · Rare semi-arid flora
Levada do Caldeirão Verde (Queimadas)
6.5 km · ~3.5h · moderate
110m vertical waterfall lagoon · 4 unlit wet rock tunnels · Dense subtropical rainforest gorge
Vereda dos Balcões (Ribeiro Frio)
1.5 km · ~1h · easy
Panoramic view of central mountain peaks · Friendly Madeiran chaffinches · Completely flat easy walk
Vereda da Ilha (Pico Ruivo ➔ Ilha)
8.2 km · ~3.5h · hard
Immense vertical descent into northern rainforest · Uncrowded route to Pico Ruivo · 100% Free
Vereda da Encumeada
11.2 km · ~5h · hard
Traverses the central mountain backbone of Madeira · Epic volcanic spires · Completely open & free
Vereda do Urzal (Curral das Freiras ➔ Boaventura)
10.3 km · ~4.5h · hard
Historic pass between North and South · Ancient heather trees · Remote wild valley
Vereda do Burro (Pico do Areeiro ➔ Ribeira das Cales)
7.2 km · ~3h · moderate
Starts at Areeiro summit · Historic ice well (Poço da Neve) · Zero fees, quiet mountain solitude
Caminho Real do Monte
4.2 km · ~2h · easy
Paved historic royal path · Eucalyptus and pine scent · Direct link to Monte palace
Levada do Barreiro (Poço da Neve)
5.3 km · ~2.5h · moderate
High altitude stone levada · Panoramic southern slopes · Pure mountain peace
Vereda das Funduras (Machico ➔ Caniçal)
8.7 km · ~3.5h · moderate
Jaw-dropping views of São Lourenço peninsula · Lush eastern laurissilva · Zero fees or queues
Levada do Alecrim (Lagoa Dona Beja)
3.5 km · ~2h · easy
Starts at Rabaçal parking · Lagoa Dona Beja natural waterfall pool · Zero fees, wide open path
Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
3.3 km · ~2h · moderate
Reaches the top cliff of Risco waterfall · Deep mountain lagoon · Quiet & uncrowded
Levada do Moinho (Ribeira da Cruz)
10.3 km · ~3.5h · moderate
Historic watermills · Deep tranquil river valley · Far from tour bus crowds
Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno
4.4 km · ~2.5h · hard
Extreme rock-cut canyon · Thundering waterfalls in narrow gorge · True wilderness
Levada do Furado (Ribeiro Frio ➔ Portela)
11 km · ~4.5h · moderate
One of Madeira's oldest levadas · Spectacular northern valleys view · 100% Free
Caminho Real da Encumeada (Boca da Corrida ➔ Encumeada)
12.5 km · ~5.5h · hard
Historic royal transit path · Curral das Freiras amphitheater view · Grand ridge crossing
Vereda do Fanal (Paúl da Serra ➔ Fanal)
10.8 km · ~4h · moderate
Centuries-old mystical Ocotea foetens trees · Ghostly fog atmosphere · 100% Free nature reserve
Levada dos Cedros (Fanal ➔ Curral Falso)
7.2 km · ~3h · moderate
Built in the 17th century · Pristine mossy laurel forest · Zero entry fees
Vereda da Ribeira da Janela
2.7 km · ~1.5h · hard
Dramatic sea ravine descent · Agricultural stone terraces · Authentic rural Madeira
Levada da Fajã do Rodrigues (São Vicente)
3.9 km · ~2.5h · moderate
Exciting 1km long water tunnel · Hidden waterfalls in lush gorge · Free open trail
Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal
14 km · ~6h · hard
Pinnacle volcanic rock towers · Tree ferns and native orchids · One of the finest mountain loops
Levada do Rei (São Jorge)
5.3 km · ~3h · moderate
Purest primary Laurissilva forest · Ribeiro Bonito nature sanctuary · 100% Free with zero fees
Caminho Real do Paul do Mar
1.8 km · ~1.5h · moderate
Steep basalt cliff zigzag · Dramatic Atlantic surf panorama · Ends at sunny beach tavernas
Vereda do Jardim do Mar
1.9 km · ~1.5h · moderate
Historic village access cliffway · Legendary big wave surf views · Sunniest corner of Madeira
Caminho do Norte (Encumeada ➔ São Vicente)
3.2 km · ~2h · moderate
Sweeping views across São Vicente valley · Tranquil northern descent · 100% Free
Vereda dos Chões
2.4 km · ~1.5h · easy
Gentle forest walk · Shady mountain trail · Zero crowds, completely free
Levada da Azenha (Santa Cruz)
4.8 km · ~2h · easy
Peaceful agricultural levada · Views of airport runways and ocean · 100% Free
Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã
2.7 km · ~1.5h · moderate
Porto Santo highest sea cliffs · Unique volcanic prismatic geology · 100% Free
Vereda do Pico do Castelo
3.2 km · ~2h · moderate
Historic 16th-century fortress lookout · Pine reforestation · Islandwide panoramas
Levada do Pico Castelo
4.1 km · ~2h · easy
Only levada on Porto Santo island · Shaded woodland stroll · 100% Free
Understanding Madeira Trail Regulations & Access
1. The 4.50€ Conservation Contribution
Madeira’s regional forestry department (IFCN) charges non-resident visitors aged 12 and older a 4.50 Euro contribution on seven heavily trafficked routes: PR1, PR1.2, PR6, PR6.1, PR8, PR9, and PR11. The revenue directly finances stone levada retaining walls, stainless steel security cabling along sheer precipices, and biological cleanup.
Residents living in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and youth under 12 are exempt. Always purchase your voucher in advance through the regional government portal (simplifica.madeira.gov.pt).
2. The 27 Open-Access Routes: Madeira’s Wider Network
Most visitors only know the four most famous names and overlook the remaining 27 official PR walking routes that remain completely free of charge. Trails like PR13 (Fanal Ancient Forest), PR14 (Levada dos Cedros), PR18 (Levada do Rei), and PR3 (Vereda do Burro) offer comparable or superior scenery with a fraction of the crowds.
Exploring these quieter trails avoids parking congestion, supports local family-run cafes in northern villages, and lets you experience the true tranquility of the island.
3. Cellular Dead Zones and Offline Vouchers
Deep mountain ravines such as the Queimadas basin (PR9), the Rabaçal valley (PR6), and the central crest between Areeiro and Ruivo (PR1) have complete cellular dead zones. Hikers cannot load confirmation emails or access the SIMplifica portal once they arrive at the parking area.
Complete your permit purchase before setting out and save a clear screenshot of the QR code in your phone camera roll to show rangers at entrance turnstiles.
4. Trail Etiquette and Weather Awareness
Whether hiking a paid or free trail, safety rules remain identical. Carry a reliable headlamp for unlit tunnels, wear sturdy footwear with deep lugged soles for wet volcanic rock, and always pack warm windproof layers.
Check our live mountain webcams before leaving the coast. In steep gorges, conditions can switch from warm sun to saturated fog in less than thirty minutes.