Madeira in a nutshell
Madeira Island, Portugal, lies in the Atlantic, closer to Africa than to Lisbon. Its interior rises steeply to peaks above 1,800 metres, and the north is covered in laurel forest. A network of levadas, narrow irrigation channels with paths beside them, makes this landscape walkable.
Hiking changed in 2026. Since 1 January every official trail must be booked online in advance, and walkers pay a fee per trail. Several trails also close at short notice after rockfall, storms or fire risk. This independent Madeira travel guide explains the rules as of October 2026, so your Madeira visit works out on the trails too. If you plan to travel to Madeira, start here. It is not the official Madeira tourism website.
Hiking in 2026: the new rules
The most important change for visitors.
Book every trail online
Since 1 January 2026 you reserve a 30-minute start slot on the regional SIMplifica portal and pay €4.50 per person and trail. The full Pico do Arieiro–Pico Ruivo route costs €10.50. Residents walk for free.
Levada walks →PR1 is open, one way only
The ridge path from Pico do Arieiro (also spelled Areeiro) to Pico Ruivo reopened on 1 May 2026 and has run daily since 26 June. From Pedra Rija it is one-way towards Pico Ruivo, so plan your own transport back.
Pico do Arieiro →Check the status first
On 19 October 2026 the São Lourenço trail and PR 1.3 were restricted and five trails were closed. Status can change daily with weather, fire risk or rockfall, so check the official trail list the evening before.
Weather →Guided walks pay less
Hikers on guided walks with a registered operator pay a reduced fee of €3. A guide also solves the transport problem on one-way routes.
Tours compared →Our picks: Madeira tours
A guided ridge walk with the trail fee included, a 4WD day in the west and a whale-watching boat.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Seixal and Fanal 4WD tour
An open Land Rover with a guide and pick-up in central Funchal. The Cabo Girão skywalk (€5) and the Porto Moniz pools (€3) are paid on top.
Check availability →
Guided walk at Pico do Arieiro
Pick-up at the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, the Stairways to Heaven ridge and the Ninho da Manta viewpoint. The PR1 trail fee and booking are included.
Check availability →
Dolphin and whale watching by catamaran
Certified crew and guides with a spotter on land. No hotel pick-up, and food and drinks are sold on board.
Check availability →Madeira tours and activities
Guided levada walks, sunrise trips to Pico do Arieiro, jeep tours and whale-watching boats, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
The walks, the island and the practical details.
Levada walks
Ten levadas from Balcões to Caldeirão Verde, with lengths, times and fees.
Things to do in Madeira
Fifteen experiences from the natural pools of Porto Moniz to the Monte toboggan.
Funchal
The old town, the market and the cable car up to Monte.
Weather and best time
Month by month, the dry summer and the wetter, milder winter.
Madeira airport
Why flights are diverted in strong wind, and the bus and taxi to Funchal.
Where to stay
Funchal, the sunny south or the green north: which base suits you.
Prices that went up
Several sights introduced or raised fees recently. The Cabo Girão skywalk has charged €5 since 1 January 2026. The natural pools in Porto Moniz cost €3, while the nearby Cachalote pools are free but unguarded. The basket toboggan from Monte costs €30 since 1 May 2026.
In Funchal the cable car to Monte costs €22 return and has new glass-floor cabins since April 2026. The Botanical Garden costs €10 and the Monte Palace garden €18.
Getting there and around
Two things to plan for: wind at the airport and steep, slow roads.
A windy airport
Strong wind regularly disrupts flights. In 2026 there were several days with 20 to 50 cancellations or diversions to Porto Santo, Faro, Lisbon or the Canaries. Leave a buffer before connecting flights.
Madeira airport →Bus or taxi to Funchal
The Aerobus costs €6.70, cash only. Taxis start at a base fare of €4 with a 20 % surcharge at night and at weekends.
Transfers →Car or tour
Many trailheads are far apart. A rental car gives you freedom on steep, winding roads; tours and transfers save you the driving and the one-way problem.
Car rental and driving →Funchal, Portugal: your base on the island
Funchal is the usual starting point for a trip. The lower station of the cable car sits in the old town (Zona Velha), and the Aerobus from the airport stops along the hotel zone. More on the town in our Funchal guide.
Hotels in Madeira, Portugal: where to look
Funchal's hotel zone runs along the Estrada Monumental and Avenida do Infante to Praia Formosa. Outside the capital, Calheta on the southwest coast has a marina, Porto Moniz at the northwest tip is close to the natural pools, and Santana on the north coast is the starting point for Achada do Teixeira. Our where to stay guide compares the bases.
Madeira: frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to hike in Madeira?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 official trails require an online booking with a start slot and a fee of €4.50 per person and trail. The full PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo costs €10.50. Residents are exempt.
Is the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike open?
Yes. The PR1 reopened in May 2026 and has run daily since 26 June, but only in one direction from Pedra Rija towards Pico Ruivo. Check the daily status before you go.
What is the best time to visit Madeira?
Madeira is mild all year. Summer is very dry; winter is milder and wetter, especially in the north and the mountains. Funchal's average annual temperature is 20.0 °C.
Why are flights to Madeira cancelled?
The airport is exposed to strong wind. On windy days flights are cancelled or diverted to Porto Santo, Faro, Lisbon or the Canary Islands.
Is visitmadeira.org the official tourism site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. The official tourism website of the region is a different site.