Hike linking Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, about 8 hours
A mountain walk connecting two of Madeira's well-known peaks, aimed at keen walkers. Plan for a long day of around 8 hours.
- 8 h
from €48 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Guided hikes and levada walks in Madeira
A guided hike takes care of the three things that make walking in Madeira complicated: getting to the trailhead, getting back from the end of a linear route and reading the mountain weather. Most include pick-up in Funchal and small groups.
Top-rated tours
King's Levada
Very easy levada walk with waterfalls and nature, running from 9:00 to 16:00. Group size varies with the number of bookings, from small to large.
- Easy
from €32.06 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Rabaçal valley levada walk with a guide, about 8 hours
A guided day of walking along levada channels in the Rabaçal area, lasting about 8 hours. Suits walkers who prefer having a guide and a full day outdoors.
- 8 h
from €48 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Maroços – Vale das Mimosas (Half-Day Walk)
Half-day walk of about 5 km along the Maroços levada maintenance path, through the Machico valley and its farmland. Suits walkers who like rural scenery.
from €34 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Guided Pico Ruivo sunrise hike, hotel pickup included
A guided sunrise walk to Pico Ruivo that starts with a hotel pickup, so no need to arrange early transport. The outing lasts about 5 hours.
- 5 h
- Hotel pickup
from €65 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Rota do Açúcar – Levada Nova (Half-Day Walk)
Half-day levada walk starting in Tabua, passing farmland and sugar cane fields in the Ribeira Brava area. Suits those curious about local farming traditions.
from €34 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Vale Paraíso – Rochão (Half-Day Walk)
Half-day walk through green hillside forest and farmland behind Funchal, with wildflowers and views over Camacha. Suits walkers curious about local farming traditions.
from €34 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Rota do Vinho – Wine Route (Half-Day Walk)
Half-day walk along a section of Levada do Norte from Garachico to Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, with views of the town and the vineyards around it.
from €34 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 16, 2026. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Why choose a guided hike
Transport: many of the best walks are linear and start far from Funchal. A guided walk drops you at the start and collects you at the end, so you never walk the same path twice.
Trail booking: most official PR trails now require a booked time slot on the SIMplifica portal and a fee for visitors. Tour operators handle the booking, and the fee is lower when you go with an operator.
Safety and knowledge: guides know which trails are open, when the clouds will lift and where the exposed sections are, and they explain the laurel forest, the levadas and the island's history along the way.
How to choose
Check the difficulty and total distance, whether the route is linear or a loop, the group size and what is included (transport, snacks, trail fee). If you are new to mountain walking, start with one of the easy levada walks; for the classics, see 25 Fontes and Caldeirão Verde.
Frequently asked questions
Are guided hikes in Madeira worth it?
Yes, especially for linear routes and if you do not have a car: transport, trail booking and local knowledge are included.
Do guided hikes include the trail fee?
Many do, but not all. Check the tour description, as the fee and booking rules for official trails have changed since 2024.
Keep planning
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Easy levada walks Flat, short and family-friendly walks. - Trail status today Which of Madeira's official walking trails are open, restricted or closed today, updated every two hours.
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PR1 Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo The classic ridge hike between Madeira's highest peaks, one-way since 2026. - Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6) Madeira's most popular walk: springs, a lagoon and the Risco waterfall.
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Caldeirão Verde (PR9) Tunnels and laurel forest to a waterfall lagoon near Santana. - Levada Nova A waterfall and cliff-side levada above Ponta do Sol.