Madeira Island Hiking & Road Trip
Based in Funchal with additional stays in Calheta and Porto Moniz, covering high-mountain trails and the northwest coast
Spend the first three days exploring the Old Town, high mountains, and the eastern cape from Funchal, then stay in the southwest and northwest to avoid long daily drives. This itinerary features a lot of levada and mountain hiking, and some routes require online booking and payment. It is suitable for self-drive travelers with decent physical fitness; leisure travelers can reduce the number of hiking days.
Mountain weather is highly unpredictable, and trails are frequently closed temporarily due to maintenance or bad weather.
Day by day
Day 1 · Funchal Old Town & Monte
Madeira（Funchal Cathedral (Sé)、Mercado dos Lavradores、Funchal Old Town & Cable Car、Monte Palace Tropical Garden & Monte Toboggan）
Pick up your car after landing and drive about 30 minutes to Funchal. Take the cable car up and down to Monte.
Stay: Funchal Old Town
Day 2 · High Mountain Trail Above the Clouds
Madeira（Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo (PR1)、Santana Traditional Houses）
Drive from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro in about 45 minutes, hike to Pico Ruivo, and take a pre-booked transfer back.
The PR1 trail requires online booking and is one-way only; make sure to book your return transfer in advance.
Stay: Funchal Old Town
Day 3 · Ponta de São Lourenço & Machico
Madeira（Ponta de São Lourenço、Machico）
Drive from Funchal to Ponta de São Lourenço in about 40 minutes. The round-trip hike takes about 3 hours. Return via Machico.
The trail has no shade and can be very windy; bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Stay: Funchal Old Town
Day 4 · South Coast Fishing Villages to Calheta
Madeira（Câmara de Lobos、Cabo Girão Skywalk、Ponta do Sol、Calheta Beach）
Drive from Funchal along the south coast via Cabo Girão and Ponta do Sol to Calheta (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Calheta
Day 5 · 25 Fontes & Fanal Forest
Madeira（Levada das 25 Fontes & Risco (PR6)、Fanal Forest、Porto Moniz Natural Pools）
Drive from Calheta to Rabaçal in about 30 minutes. After hiking, drive via Fanal to Porto Moniz in about 40 minutes.
The Rabaçal trails require online booking and payment; refer to the official system for details.
Stay: Porto Moniz
Day 6 · North Coast to Valley of the Nuns
Madeira（Seixal Beach、Véu da Noiva Viewpoint、São Vicente Caves、Curral das Freiras & Eira do Serrado）
Drive from Porto Moniz along the north coast to São Vicente in about 30 minutes, then cut through the mountains to Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns) and return to Funchal (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Funchal Old Town
Day 7 · Botanical Garden & Departure
Madeira（Madeira Botanical Garden）
Drive from Funchal to the Botanical Garden in about 15 minutes, then continue to the airport in about 20 minutes.