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Funchal Hiking

Our most recommended Funchal Hiking

Madeira: Level-1 Canyoning Adventure

1. Madeira: Level-1 Canyoning Adventure

Discover why Madeira island is one of the top five places in the world for canyoning on this canyoning adventure tour. Rappel down waterfalls and experience the area’s natural splendor. Head up to the mountains where you will receive your canyoning gear. After being decked out in gear, it will be time for a small hike through some of the most impressive nature that Madeira has to offer. Rappel down sparkling waterfalls, where the mountain spring waters are always flowing.  Swim in the natural swimming pools along the canyons. In some of the canyons you may also have the opportunity to slide down natural water slides. Once the activity ends, change back into your dry clothes and return to your accommodation.

From Funchal: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro with Breakfast

2. From Funchal: Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro with Breakfast

After pickup, travel to Pico do Arieiro where you will enjoy the sunrise. This is the highest viewpoint of the island at 1818 meters of altitude. See the sunrise while enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy a buffet-style breakfast of sandwiches, homemade cake, biscuits, water, orange juice, fruit jam, cheese, and ham. Then, travel back to Camacha and go for a lovely walk in the Paradise Valley area. Admire the views of some endemic trees from the Laurissilva forest. Then, head back to the city center with drop-off at your hotel or at a central point.

Hike Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

3. Hike Madeira: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo

The sun rises over your hotel as you set out on your walking tour adventure. Leaving from the comforts of your room in Funchal on the Madeira Islands, we'll drive you up to the third highest peak in Madeira - the magnificent Pico Arieiro. You'll sip coffee or a drink on your way up to the base of the peak, looking out at all the stunning beauty this place has to offer. As we head from sea level up to the base at 5,964ft (1818m), you'll pass beautiful flora and fauna. Finally, we'll begin our mighty walk up the mighty Pico Arieiro up to the highest point on the island, the Pico Ruivo peak at 6107 ft (1862m). Finally, we'll walk down to Teixeira where you'll be comfortably transferred back to your hotel. And of course, no day of hiking is complete without a drink at a traditional bar, so we'll make sure to stop at one with a spectacular view to enjoy the closing of your day!

From Funchal: Intermediate (Level 2) Canyoning Adventure

4. From Funchal: Intermediate (Level 2) Canyoning Adventure

Start with pickup from Funchal, Canico or Câmara De Lobos and drive to the canyoning location. Meet your guides and receive all your equipment for the activity. Take a 20-minute walk to the entrance of a stream where the first safety briefing will take place. Along the way, abseil down breath-taking waterfalls, jump and swim in beautiful natural pools, always surrounded by incredible landscapes. With natural water slides, abseiling, and jumps into natural rock pools the canyons are sure to make your heart skip a beat. The beginning of the stream has some vertical challenges (20m), small walking sections, and many play areas. The river will be flowing by the entire time with several optional jumps. The challenge continues following a quick snack break with waterfalls. Guides will take pictures and videos of your experience throughout the day, to be sent to you afterward. At the end of the trip, there will be transportation to bring you back to the park where you began your adventure.

Madeira Island: Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

5. Madeira Island: Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

Caldeirão Verde means green cauldron in Portuguese and well describes the environs of this 6.5-kilometer walk. This half-day levada walk takes you through the highest area of Santana. A levada is an aqueduct or irrigation channel that is unique to the island of Madeira. This is without doubt one of the most beautiful levadas on Madeira. Located in the Laurissilva forest the highlights of the trail include fantastic views of São Jorge and a series of tunnels of natural basaltic rock. Start out in the emerald green Queimadas rainforest and enjoy scenic views over villages as you follow alongside the winding levada and through 5 short natural tunnels. When you arrive at Caldeirão Verde you’ll marvel at the majestic waterfall.

Madeira Walks - Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

6. Madeira Walks - Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

Discover the waterfalls of Rabaçal on this guided hike. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off in an airconditioned bus from several points on the island of Madeira. Immerse yourself in the unique flora and fauna of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation and sit back and relax on the drive to the Rabaçal reserve. Follow your guide on a trail of intense natural beauty that is brimming with waterfalls. Look for local flora and fauna as you walk through this lush wonderland. Pass by 25 natural springs which fall into a small crystal clear lake that is surrounded by dense vegetation. Listen to the falling water and the chirping of birds. Return to your accommodation by bus at the end of your tour.

Madeira Day Trip: Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

7. Madeira Day Trip: Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

Depart Funchal and journey to the start of your walk, where you will follow the routes of the "levada" irrigation system developed in the 16th century by Madeira's first settlers. Descend from the plateau of Paul da Serra to the Rabaçal guesthouse and walk to the waterfall of the Levada do Risco. Continue towards the Levada das 25 Fontes, dominated by moorland at its highest point. Walk until you reach a small lagoon at the bottom of an enormous cliff, and marvel at the sight of 25 natural springs cascading into the lake. Return along a different path, passing through a tunnel that carries water to the south of the island. Admire a wide variety of endemic flora and fauna along the way.

From Funchal: Ponta de São Lourenço/Caniçal Full-Day Hike

8. From Funchal: Ponta de São Lourenço/Caniçal Full-Day Hike

Join a tranquil walk along a trail at the eastern end of the island in Caniçal, part of the Natural Park of the island. On this full-day walk, take the opportunity to see both the north and south coasts of Madeira. Discover and enjoy the unique fauna and flora, including hundreds of species, or take a moment to explore the curious rock formations, created as a result of the volcanic origin of the island. Witness the rocky and contrasting alternative to the evergreen levada paths. Enjoy magnificent views over the Desertas islands in the south, and Porto Santo to the north, excellent sights which are present all through your walk.  At the end of the walk, take the chance to go for a swim in the clear ocean, making your tour a unique and memorable experience.

Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes

9. Small Group Walks Rabaçal 25 Fontes

The Rabaçal 25 Fontes walk starts in the Rabaçal, a walk through the middle of the Laurissilva forest, through the irrigation canals that reach the lagoon from the 25 Fontes. The origin of the name of the Levada of the 25 Fontes is due to the fact that there is a lagoon with 25 springs at the end of Levada, it is the most beautiful point of the whole walk with a large waterfall falling into a small lagoon. Throughout the tour you have an immense variety of species of flora and fauna  to gaze at on the island of Madeira. This Levada has a small passage from the north coast to the south coast, with a very interesting history due to its origin and the way it was built. It is one of the most famous of all the islands because of the unforgettable landscapes and sensations along the whole walk.

Levada Walk and Caldeirao Verde Waterfalls: Madeira

10. Levada Walk and Caldeirao Verde Waterfalls: Madeira

Madeira offers untold beauty, friendly locals, and incredible "Levada" or irrigation channels that lead directly to the Atlantic Ocean. Today, you will explore these levadas with your guide. Starting from Queimadas Forestall Park, you will wander through lush vegetation and charming stone pathways deep into the forest. Along the way, you will pass by incredible views of Santana and São Jorge, and even have a chance to snap some pictures of the Verde lagoon and waterfall. Your 4.5-hour walk takes you through a diverse landscape of flora and fauna, and your guide will help you make sense of the varieties of life around here. Your trip will be well guided, and we even have torches and walking sticks to make your trek more pleasant. Once we reach the Caldeirão Verde waterfall, we will have a 30 minute picnic in this idyllic landscape before returning back to the starting point.

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What people are saying about Funchal

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,082 reviews

We had a great experience and highly recommend it! We booked the trip just one day in advance and were imitatively contacted by Elizabeth, who provided us with all the details and map of the upcoming hike. We were picked at the hotel by a friendly and punctual driver Luis. Luis is a nice person to talk too; on our way up and down he shared some interesting stories about the places we were passing. The ride was fun. We got lucky with the weather and enjoyed the hike a lot. It was not easy but definitely worth it.

We have visited multiple interesting spots, tasted the local rum and on every corner received valuable information about history, fauna, daily life, the locals and so on. The included lunch was also tasty. Lucy does her job perfectly.

I had such an amazing experience despite never having done canyoning before. I felt super safe and the guides were super nice and helpful :) Transport to and from the location was also amazing. Thank you so much!

Great tour, lots of great points pushed into a half day tour. Ruben was a fantastic tour guide, he knew a high level of information and kept the day very interesting.

Our guide Charlotte is knowledgeable and funny! We were lucky to have beautiful weather and she made sure everybody is taken care of, highly recommended!