Onlyluxe Travel specialises in Madeira walking tours. We offer several tour types: - Guided small group tours- Private guided tours- Self-guided tours Our Madeira walking itineraries can be customised based on fitness levels and accommodation preferences. We specialise in luxury and comfort-focused "pack-free" Madeira walking tours. Madeira is a destination that rewards those who explore it on foot. Volcanic ridges, primordial laurel forests, and dramatic Atlantic cliffs reveal themselves along the island's legendary levadas — ancient irrigation channels that wind through the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest, past waterfalls and terraced ... Onlyluxe Travel specialises in Madeira walking tours. We offer several tour types: - Guided small group tours- Private guided tours- Self-guided tours Our Madeira walking itineraries can be customised based on fitness levels and accommodation preferences. We specialise in luxury and comfort-focused "pack-free" Madeira walking tours. Madeira is a destination that rewards those who explore it on foot. Volcanic ridges, primordial laurel forests, and dramatic Atlantic cliffs reveal themselves along the island's legendary levadas — ancient irrigation channels that wind through the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest, past waterfalls and terraced fields. One day might carry you across the soaring heights of Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo; the next, deep into emerald gorges or along a windswept volcanic peninsula. Madeira's official PR trails span a remarkable range of landscapes and experiences, from the lush lagoons of Levada das 25 Fontes to the rock tunnels of Caldeirão Verde. Each step unveils a new facet of this extraordinary island — sculpted by nature, steeped in tradition, and endlessly captivating. Beyond the trails, walking provides a window into Madeira’s living culture: encounter traditional terraced agriculture and mountain villages, historic water mills and the remarkable engineering of the levadas, then descend to Funchal to explore its historic streets, markets and centuries-old wine heritage. The routes can also be paired naturally with Madeira wine estates, local food experiences, historic Funchal, traditional quintas and boutique hotels, creating a walking journey that is as much about discovering the island’s culture and gastronomy as its landscapes. Our range is inclusive of easy walks and strolls through to challenging hikes and treks that can be tailored to your abilities and walking appetite when you choose to walk with Onlyluxe Travel. Best Hiking & Walking Routes in Madeira: - Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1): Madeira’s high mountain spine. One of Madeira’s most dramatic walks, linking Pico do Areeiro (1,818m) with Pico Ruivo (1,862m), the island’s highest summit. The trail climbs and descends steeply through jagged volcanic peaks, narrow ridges, rock tunnels and stairways carved into the mountainside, with vast views stretching across the island and, on clear days, towards the surrounding Atlantic. - Levada das 25 Fontes & Levada do Risco (PR6): Waterfalls and Laurissilva. Starting at Rabaçal, descend into a lush valley of tree ferns, mosses and endemic vegetation before following centuries-old levadas towards the spectacular 25 Fontes, where numerous springs cascade into a natural pool. A diversion to Risco Waterfall reveals a dramatic vertical cascade dropping from the mountainside. - Caldeirão Verde (PR9): Deep into Madeira’s ancient forest. Follow the Levada do Caldeirão Verde from Queimadas, passing through the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest and four long, atmospheric tunnels carved directly through the volcanic rock. The reward is Caldeirão Verde, an emerald lagoon enclosed by towering cliffs and fed by a dramatic waterfall. - Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8): Madeira’s volcanic eastern peninsula. Experience a completely different side of Madeira on this exposed coastal trail across the island’s narrow eastern peninsula. The landscape shifts from lush green to rust-red volcanic cliffs, windswept grasslands and sculpted rock formations, with uninterrupted Atlantic views and sightlines towards the Desertas Islands. Finish at Cais do Sardinha, where the surrounding waters are particularly striking. - Levada do Furado (PR10) : A gentle introduction to Madeira’s interior. A shorter walk from Ribeiro Frio leading to the Balcões viewpoint, where the mountains open into an extraordinary panorama of Madeira’s central massif and the Nuns Valley region. The surrounding forest is particularly rich in endemic species, while the viewpoint is known for sightings of Madeira’s native birds, including the Trocaz pigeon. - Vereda do Fanal (PR13): Ancient trees and misty landscapes. Enter the atmospheric Fanal Forest, part of the Laurissilva UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The trail winds among ancient, twisted Ocotea foetens trees, some centuries old, creating an almost primeval landscape that is especially evocative when mist settles across the high plateau of Paul da Serra. - Levada do Rei (PR18): From farmland to Ribeiro Bonito. Beginning in São Jorge, walk through banana plantations and cultivated terraces before entering increasingly dense forest and following the levada deep into Ribeiro Bonito, one of Madeira’s most pristine wooded valleys. The route offers a fascinating transition from Madeira’s agricultural landscapes to its untouched interior and can be paired with the historic water mill at São Jorge. - Caminho Real do Paul do Mar (PR19): Madeira’s historic coastal paths. Descend dramatically from the mountains towards Paul do Mar, following part of Madeira’s historic Royal Roads that once connected isolated communities before modern roads existed. The steep path cuts through rugged cliffs and terraced agricultural land, offering a glimpse into how islanders once travelled between remote coastal settlements. - Levada dos Balcões & Ribeiro Frio: Forest and endemic wildlife. Around Ribeiro Frio, combine shorter levada walks with the island’s rich endemic flora, ancient laurel trees and mountain streams. It is one of the best areas for experiencing Madeira’s Laurissilva ecosystem without committing to a full-day mountain hike. - São Vicente & the northern levadas: Rural Madeira. Explore the greener northern side of the island around São Vicente, where walking trails weave between vineyards, terraced fields, waterfalls and traditional villages. This area provides a more intimate glimpse of Madeira’s agricultural heritage, particularly its centuries-old relationship with water, wine and small-scale farming. With a large collection, you can use our TOUR FINDER to find the right tour for your next holiday. Or simply call, email us or live chat us now. More Less