The Pico da Roda hike is a very adventurous, alternative path in Nun’s Valley with incredible views of the tallest peaks on the island of Madeira. The short but very steep course takes you up from the valley onto the ridge to find several unique rock formations such as Pico da Roda before descending along …
The Pico do Alto ridge hike is one of the most incredible adventures on the north coast of Madeira Island. The ridge will test the vertigo of hikers while providing incredible views of Sao Jorge on one side of the ridge and Boaventura on the other side. The ocean and mountains combine to make this …
The journey from Encumeada to Pico Ruivo takes you on a wild adventure along steep stairways, to the top of peaks, and through the incredible forests of Madeira Island. If you are lucky, you will emerge through the cloud cover to summit Pico Ruivo, which is the highest point on the entire island. The route …
The Quebrada do Negro hike is a coastal trail on the western side of Madeira Island that is sure to get your heart racing. After passing through the small coastal village of Achadas da Cruz, a narrow trail winds it’s way up the side of the coastal cliffs. At times you have huge drop-offs down …
The Water’s Kiss waterfall hike takes you on a wild journey through the region of Rabaçal as you cross the four main streams that run into the larger river, Riberia da Janela. This 10-kilometer hike takes a number of common paths but often detours onto some wild, rarely touched routes across streams and up steep …
The town of Paul do Mar on the southern coast of Madeira is one of the most scenic spots on the entire island. With towering cliffs looking down over the small beach town, it is incredibly picturesque. This Fajã da Ovelha hiking trail starts at one end of the town, climbs up to the ridge …
Hiking up from Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley) to Pico Ruivo is a journey for an adventurous hikers that takes you on a steep climb to Madeira’s highest peak… and back. The route winds you up through the incline of Nun’s Valley before you burst over the ridge to join the famous ‘Pico to Pico’ …
CURRAL DAS FREIRAS (NUN’S VALLEY) TO PICO RUIVO HIKE ON MADEIRA
The Caldeirão do Inferno waterfall hike is one of the best levada walks on Madeira island with lush jungles and several amazing waterfalls! This adventurous levada trail is one of the most popular hikes on the island due to its incredible waterfalls, dense jungle surroundings, and most importantly, it’s relatively flat without too much incline. …
Pico do Jorge is a lesser-known peak in the center of Madeira Island. There are many different routes you can take to reach this mighty peak but I chose a loop route beginning in Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley). We looped up from Nun’s Valley, passed Boca das Torrinhas, summited Pico do Jorge and then …
Chão da Ribeira is an incredible plateau in the mountains above Seixal on the north coast of Madeira Island. It’s such an incredible valley of lush forest that it’s known to locals as ‘The Sanctuary’. As soon as I arrived after the winding drive up from the coast, I could sense it was a special …
The Vereda das Funduras hike begins at Portela Viewpoint, which has a great view over the iconic Penha d’Àguia rock formation in Porto da Cruz. The trail itself is mostly through the forest with the scenery highlighted by beautiful ferns and lush vegetation of the UNESCO Laurissilva Forest. This is a great trail for families, …
The Fajã do Amo hike in São Vicente takes you through the lush Laurrisilva forest up a very steep climb before finishing at an epic coastal viewpoint perched on the cliffside. Throughout the hike, there are a number of dangerous rock climbing sections and also thick, overgrown trails. The viewpoint is also precariously positioned on …