Would you like to discover Madeira’s enchanting landscapes and lush natural beauty without getting too tired? You’ve come to the right place! This island, a true hiker’s paradise, offers itineraries for all levels. Whether you prefer the forest, the beach or the city, you’re bound to find one or more easy walks to include in your stay on the Flower Island.
Here’s our selection of the best easy hikes in Madeira, with useful tips in pictures!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Easy walks in Madeira: tips
Madeira offers a wide range of hiking trails. We’ve explored many of them, and have compiled our list of the best hikes on the island.
During your stay, you’ll be able to discover enchanting forests, majestic waterfalls, Madeira’s famous Levadas and beautiful seashores. Even if you only choose easy hikes!
If you only need to do 3, we recommend it:
- Verada dos Balcoes
- Fanal Forest
- Rota da Banana
1. Verada dos Balcoes – PR11
Why visit it? Our review
This is one of our favorite walks to discover Madeira’s Levadas. We highly recommend this peaceful stroll, especially at the beginning of your stay! Indeed, we found it a perfect introduction to Madeira Island and its treasures. Among other things, you’ll discover..:
- the island’s lush flora and fauna
- breathtaking views of the lush green valley, sea and mountain peaks
- a Levada, a typical Madeiran irrigation canal, built in the 16th century
Useful tips
- Location: central eastern part of the island, near Ribeiro Frio.
From Funchal: 40min drive and from Porto da Cruz: 25min drive - Access: the starting point is along the ER103 mountain road. There is no dedicated parking. Ribeiro Frio can be reached by public transport.
- Type of route: round trip.
- Duration: 3km and about 1h round trip.
- Difficulties: none, it’s all flat.
- Best time: whatever. However, given that there is no dedicated parking and therefore few parking spaces, arriving early or at the end of the day will make things easier for you.
- Infrastructure: Ribeiro Frio has restaurants and other shops, as well as a café with toilets and a lovely viewpoint halfway along the trail.
To find out more, read our article dedicated to the Verada dos Balcoes walk (coming soon).
WHERE TO STAY IN Madeira
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
2. Fanal Forest
Why visit it? Our review
A stroll through the heart of the Forêt de Fanal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is truly enchanting! If you don’t feel like hiking, you can spend the day relaxing in the forest. You’ll discover century-old trees with twisted shapes. For once, if you can, we recommend visiting this site on a foggy day. All the more mystical for the experience! We learned that this native forest was once very present in southern Europe and on a large part of the island. Today, one of the largest surviving sections is the Paul da Serra Plateau in Madeira.
Useful tips
- Location: in the center of the island, near Arco da Calheta.
From Funchal: 1h drive and from Porto Moniz: 30min - Access: to reach the Foret de Fanal, take route 209. You can choose to head for the PR13 or PR14 trailheads, where you’ll find parking facilities.
- Type of route: we recommend that you discover the forest and its treasures simply by taking a stroll, at your own pace!
- Difficulties: nothing to report apart from a few stairs. Exploring the Fanal Forest is easy.
- Best part: It’s up to you! If the weather is fine, you’ll enjoy beautiful views over the plateau. If the atmosphere is misty, the experience will be mystical.
- Equipment & facilities: If you’re walking in fog, be sure to mark your starting point with your phone’s GPS. This way, you can easily return to the parking lot once the ride is over. With reduced visibility, the risk of getting lost is greater. We saw a toilet in the parking lot at the start of the PR13 trail.
If you don’t have a car, opt for a round-trip transfer to the PR13 departure point for easy exploration of the Forêt de Fanal! See prices and book
3. Rota da Banana – RB1
Why visit it? Our review
This fun little stroll will give you the chance to spend some time under the banana trees. Here, you’ll discover how the famous Levada is actually used at the foot of the mountains. We loved this moment spent in Madeira’s sweet little banana plantations. The trail is lined with authentic cafés from which you can admire the scenery.
Useful tips
- Location: Madalena do Mar, southwest of the island.
From Ponta do Sol: less than 10min drive and from Polo do Mar: 15min drive - Access: The starting point is along Rua do IV Centenario. There is no dedicated parking, but you can park in the village. The village can be reached by public transport.
- Type of route: loop.
- Duration: 1.9km and between 10 and 30min depending on your preferences.
- Difficulties: none, it’s all flat and the path is laid out and very well signposted.
- Best time: whatever.
- Infrastructure: There are cafés and restaurants in Madalena do Mar and along the way.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Madeira
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Take a car with a good engine for hilly roads, but not too big for manoeuvring.
- There’s plenty of demand and few cars, so book early.
4. The Lido Promenade in Funchal
Why visit it? Our review
We enjoyed strolling along the Lido Promenade in Funchal. It’s lined with beautiful palm trees, a few gardens, hotels and swimming pools. It’s a relaxing walk with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. Perfect after dinner! As the sun sets, the area is decked out in shimmering colors, creating a romantic setting. The Lido Promenade invites you to slow down and breathe in the sea air, while enjoying lovely coastal views.
Useful tips
- Location: the path links the Lido district and the Praia da Formosa. From the old town, it’s a 30-40 minute walk.
- Access: you can start the walk on the east side at the Ponta Gorda beach complex, where you’ll find one of Madeira’s favorite coastal pools. Or on the west side, near the Rua Ponta da Cruz bus stop, served by lines 2 and 9.
- Type of route: round trip
- Length: the Promenade du Lido is about 1km long. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for the round trip, depending on your pace.
- Difficulties: the path is punctuated by numerous steps and is slightly sloping.
- Best time: this walk is enjoyable at any time of day, but we think sunset is one of the best times to go.
- Infrastructure: Promenade du Lido is in the city of Funchal, so you’ll have access to a host of nearby amenities.
5. Porto da Cruz seafront promenade
Why visit it? Our review
During our visit to Porto da Cruz, we really enjoyed the promenade linking the beaches of Praia da Alagoa and Porto da Cruz Beach. Wandering around is conducive to meditation and wonder. You’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves caressing the rocks, enjoy sea views and observe the island’s geological wealth. We enjoyed examining the volcanic and basalt rocks intertwined in the cliffs.
This beautiful walk will take you on a journey of discovery:
- Penha d’Aguia (Eagle Rock)
- a magnificent view of the island’s north coast as far as Ponta de Sao Lourenço
- seawater pools and the village
Useful tips
- Location: In the village of Porto da Cruz.
- Access: The starting point is either Praia da Alagoa Beach or Porto da Cruz Beach – the choice is yours!
- Type of route: round trip.
- Duration: allow around 1 hour for a leisurely stroll.
- Difficulties: no difficulties to be expected, the paved road turns into a path, but the whole area is flat.
To find out more, read our article on the best things to do in Porto da Cruz.
6. Garganta Funda waterfall
Why visit it? Our review
If you’re exploring the west or north of Madeira, we recommend a stopover to admire one of Madeira’s highest and most spectacular waterfalls, at around 140m. We loved this waterfall gushing out of a jagged hillside into the Atlantic Ocean. Garganta Funda is easily accessible, off the beaten track and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. We loved discovering it!
Useful tips
- Location: in the village of Ponta do Pargo, on the island’s east coast. From Funchal: 1h drive and from Porto Moniz: 30min.
- Access: the easiest way to reach the waterfall is by car. The waterfall is signposted throughout the village.
- Type of route: round trip
- Duration: once you’ve parked at the trailhead, it’s a 5-minute walk to the Miradouro.
- Difficulties: walk carefully if the path is wet, as it could be slippery.
- Best time: it seems to us that the best time to go is a few days after heavy rains, when the waterfall’s flow is more impressive.
- Infrastructure: There is no on-site parking. The nearest amenities are in the village of Ponta do Pargo, just a few kilometers away.
To find out more, read our article dedicated to Cascade Garganta Funda.
OUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A Dream trip
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- + 120 pre-selected locations
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7. Monte Palace Tropical Garden
Why visit it? Our review
This route is a little different from the others, as it’s not a classic nature walk, but an exploration of Funchal’s Monte Palace Tropical Garden. This magnificent park is one of Madeira’s most beautiful gardens! Situated high above Funchal, it offers a breathtaking view of the city and the ocean. The garden is home to an impressive collection of tropical and subtropical plants, as well as sculptures, works of art, ponds and waterfalls. The garden is divided into several sections, each with its own theme. You can find a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, an orchid garden or a grotto.
A stroll through the Monte Palace Tropical Garden is sure to win your heart!
Useful tips
- Location: In the Monte district, high above Funchal. More precisely, in Caminho das Babosas street, near the Teleférico do Jardim Botânico, Monte Church and the small Monte Park.
- Access: the most popular way is by cable car. The nearest stop is “Monte”, just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance. Find out more here.
- Duration: to see all the garden has to offer, we recommend you allow at least half a day.
- Opening hours and prices: daily (except December 25) from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Admission is €15 for people over 15. Find out more here.
- Difficulties: there are no major difficulties in this park. However, we feel that the Monte Palace Tropical Garden is difficult to navigate for people with reduced mobility or strollers. Its 70,000m2 are punctuated by paved paths, slopes and numerous steps.
- Best time: for a quiet visit, we advise you to avoid the busy summer vacation season.
- Infrastructure: A parking lot is located close to the park, and there are toilets and a restaurant inside.
To find out more, read our article dedicated to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Funchal.
OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY IN Madeira
Catamaran tour to see dolphins and Madeira’s giant cliffs.
Other easy walks in Madeira
A stroll along the Achadas da Cruz waterfront
At Achadas da Cruz, after taking the cable car, you’ll reach the bottom of the cliff and discover a path running alongside the ocean from which you can see:
- Achadas da Cruz Beach
- the Faja de Quebrada Nova (a narrow strip of farmland at the foot of the cliffs)
- small traditional stone houses
- breathtaking ocean views
To find out more, read our article on the Achadas da Cruz cable car.
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Discover the Jardin Public de Monte in Funchal
Nestled in the heart of Funchal’s Monte district, the Jardin Public de Monte, also known as Parc Leite Monteiro, covers 26,000 m². We enjoyed discovering its native and exotic plant species. It’s ideal for a stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Enjoy the trails and peaceful atmosphere. It offers the perfect setting for a rejuvenating break.
To find out more, read our article dedicated to the Jardin Public de Monte, in Funchal.
A stroll along the ocean in Madalena do Mar
In Madalena do Mar, you can enjoy a long stroll along the seafront, between the green cliffs and the sea, for around 1.5 km. At the northern end, there’s a pontoon: Pontão de Madalena do Mar. It offers lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
To find out more, read our article dedicated to the village of Madalena do Mar.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Madeira
Practical advice
Getting around Madeira
Rent a car in Madeira
Driving in Madeira
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days