{"id":3622,"date":"2026-09-14T12:01:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T11:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guiailhadamadeira.com\/how-many-official-pr-hiking-trails-are-there-in-madeira-full-list-by-difficulty\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T12:01:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T11:01:18","slug":"how-many-official-pr-hiking-trails-are-there-in-madeira-full-list-by-difficulty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guiailhadamadeira.com\/es\/how-many-official-pr-hiking-trails-are-there-in-madeira-full-list-by-difficulty\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Official PR Hiking Trails Are There in Madeira? Full List by Difficulty"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are 38 official PR hiking trails on Madeira Island, plus three more on Porto Santo, making 41 classified recommended routes across the Madeira archipelago.<\/strong> \u201cPR\u201d stands for Pequena Rota<\/em>, the official short-route network: signed, managed trails that range from easy levada walks to demanding mountain crossings. In this updated guide: the complete PR list organised by area and difficulty, what the route types mean, and how 2026 booking, fees and closures work.<\/p>\n

What is an official PR trail in Madeira?<\/h2>\n

Madeira\u2019s official walking routes are classified trails identified by a PR number and yellow-and-red waymarks. They are not simply popular walks: each route has an official name, defined alignment and responsible managing body. Most are managed by the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN), while a small number are managed by Funchal Municipality or the Cani\u00e7o parish authority.<\/p>\n

The numbering is not continuous. For example, there is no current PR24, PR25 or PR26 in the official Madeira Island list, while several route families have extensions such as PR6.1 or PR9.1. That is why counting only whole numbers produces the wrong answer.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Practical fact<\/th>\n2026 information<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Official routes on Madeira Island<\/td>\n38 PR trails<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Official routes in the archipelago<\/td>\n41 PR trails, including 3 on Porto Santo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard visitor fee<\/td>\n\u20ac4.50 per individual IFCN-managed classified trail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR1 complete route fee<\/td>\n\u20ac10.50 for Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, including PR1.1, PR1.2 and PR1.3 access where available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reservas<\/td>\nMandatory online reservation through SIMplifica for IFCN-managed classified trails<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guide required?<\/td>\nNo; hiking with a guide is optional<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best way to check closures<\/td>\nConsult the live official IFCN trail-status list before leaving<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Full Madeira Island PR trail list by area and difficulty<\/h2>\n

Difficulty is a practical guide rather than an official universal grade.<\/strong> \u201cEasy\u201d suits most mobile walkers on a dry day; \u201cmoderate\u201d means sustained distance, uneven ground or steps; \u201cstrenuous\u201d means major ascent or descent, exposure, long duration or mountain conditions. Elevation below refers to the trail\u2019s setting, rather than total ascent.<\/p>\n

Central mountains and Funchal uplands<\/strong>
\nPR1 Vereda do Areeiro \u2014 6.1 km; high mountain; strenuous; point-to-point. PR1.1 Vereda da Ilha \u2014 8.2 km; high mountain to north coast; strenuous; point-to-point descent. PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo \u2014 2.8 km each way; high mountain; moderate; out-and-back. PR1.3 Vereda da Encumeada \u2014 11.2 km; high mountain; strenuous; point-to-point. PR2 Vereda do Urzal \u2014 10.3 km; mountain valley; strenuous; point-to-point. PR3 Vereda do Burro \u2014 6.7 km; high uplands; moderate; point-to-point. PR3.1 Caminho Real do Monte \u2014 5.5 km; upland to Funchal; moderate; point-to-point. PR4 Levada do Barreiro \u2014 6.7 km; Funchal uplands; moderate; point-to-point.<\/p>\n

East, Santana and Machico<\/strong>
\nPR5 Vereda das Funduras \u2014 8.7 km; forested east; moderate; point-to-point. PR8 Vereda da Ponta de S\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o \u2014 4 km each way; low coastal peninsula; moderate; out-and-back. PR9 Levada do Caldeir\u00e3o Verde \u2014 8.7 km each way; high Laurissilva forest; strenuous; out-and-back. PR9.1 Levada do Caldeir\u00e3o Verde \u2013 Um Caminho para Todos \u2014 1.9 km; forest; easy; accessible linear route. PR10 Levada do Furado \u2014 11 km; forested uplands; moderate; point-to-point. PR11 Vereda dos Balc\u00f5es \u2014 1.5 km each way; Ribeiro Frio forest; easy; out-and-back. PR23 Levada da Azenha \u2014 1.3 km; low coastal Cani\u00e7o; easy; linear route.<\/p>\n

Raba\u00e7al, Paul da Serra and northwest<\/strong>
\nPR6 Levada das 25 Fontes \u2014 4.3 km each way; Raba\u00e7al plateau and valley; moderate; return route with controlled one-way circulation. PR6.1 Levada do Risco \u2014 3 km each way; Raba\u00e7al; easy to moderate; out-and-back. PR6.2 Levada do Alecrim \u2014 3.5 km each way; plateau; moderate; out-and-back. PR6.3 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento \u2014 1.8 km each way; steep waterfall valley; moderate; out-and-back. PR6.4 Levada Velha do Raba\u00e7al \u2014 5 km; high plateau; moderate; point-to-point. PR6.5 Vereda do Pico Fernandes \u2014 3.8 km; plateau to valley; moderate; point-to-point. PR6.6 Vereda do T\u00fanel do Cavalo \u2014 2.3 km; Raba\u00e7al; moderate; point-to-point. PR6.7 Vereda da C\u00e2mara de Carga do Raba\u00e7al \u2014 1.8 km; Raba\u00e7al; easy to moderate; point-to-point. PR6.8 Levada do Paul II \u2013 Um Caminho para Todos \u2014 1.2 km; plateau; easy; accessible linear route. PR7 Levada do Moinho \u2014 10.5 km; northwest levada country; moderate; point-to-point. PR13 Vereda do Fanal \u2014 10.8 km; high plateau and laurel forest; moderate; point-to-point. PR13.1 Vereda da Palha Carga \u2014 1.8 km; Raba\u00e7al; easy to moderate; point-to-point. PR14 Levada dos Cedros \u2014 7.2 km; Laurissilva forest; moderate; point-to-point. PR15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela \u2014 2.7 km; northwest valley; moderate; downhill point-to-point. PR16 Levada Faj\u00e3 do Rodrigues \u2014 3.9 km each way; S\u00e3o Vicente valley; moderate; out-and-back. PR17 Caminho do Pin\u00e1culo e Folhadal \u2014 15 km; central plateau; strenuous; point-to-point. PR18 Levada do Rei \u2014 5.3 km each way; north-coast forest; moderate; out-and-back. PR21 Caminho do Norte \u2014 3.2 km; Encumeada slopes; strenuous; point-to-point. PR22 Vereda do Ch\u00e3o dos Louros \u2014 1.9 km; laurel forest; easy; circular walk. PR27 Glaciar de Planalto \u2014 4.6 km; Paul da Serra; moderate; point-to-point. PR28 Levada da Rocha Vermelha \u2014 10.7 km; western plateau and forest; strenuous; point-to-point.<\/p>\n

Southwest and south coast<\/strong>
\nPR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada \u2014 12.5 km; mountain ridge and south-facing slopes; strenuous; point-to-point. PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar \u2014 1.8 km; steep coast; strenuous; downhill point-to-point. PR20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar \u2014 1.9 km; steep coast; strenuous; downhill point-to-point.<\/p>\n

Porto Santo\u2019s three official PR trails<\/h2>\n

Porto Santo has its own separate PR numbering, so do not confuse PS PR1 with Madeira\u2019s PR1. PS PR1 Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Ch\u00e3 is 2.7 km each way, moderate and out-and-back, across the island\u2019s dry eastern high ground. PS PR2 Vereda do Pico do Castelo is available as a 3.2 km or 4.6 km option, moderate and point-to-point, climbing towards Porto Santo\u2019s best-known summit. PS PR3 Levada do Pico do Castelo is 4.1 km, moderate and point-to-point.<\/p>\n

These routes are worthwhile for hikers staying on Porto Santo, but they are not day-trip additions from Madeira Island unless you have built ferry or flight timings into a longer itinerary.<\/p>\n

Fees, mandatory reservations and transport planning<\/h2>\n

Since 1 January 2026, individual walkers, groups and visitors travelling with non-protocol tourism companies must reserve applicable IFCN-managed PR trails online through the regional government\u2019s SIMplifica platform. Each reservation is for a specific entry time slot, and places can sell out on the most popular routes.<\/p>\n

The usual fee is \u20ac4.50 per trail. The complete PR1 crossing from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo costs \u20ac10.50 and also covers the linked PR1.1, PR1.2 and PR1.3 routes where access is available. SIMplifica automatically applies the most favourable available combined-trail price when you reserve several walks, but each trail still needs its own reservation.<\/p>\n

PR1 is especially important for logistics: the full route is one-way from Pico do Areeiro towards Pico Ruivo after Pedra Rija, so arrange your return transport from Achada do Teixeira or Ilha before you start. A rental car makes remote trailheads easier, while taxis, Bolt and private transfers are often more practical for one-way walks; see our guide to taxis, Bolt and private drivers in Madeira<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to do when a PR trail is closed<\/h2>\n

Never treat a closed PR as a route-finding challenge. Closures can follow landslides, storm damage, fire risk, maintenance works or unstable terrain, and unofficial detours are not checked or maintained as part of the classified network.<\/p>\n

First, check the official IFCN status list on the morning of your walk, not only when making the booking. A missing IFCN-managed route in SIMplifica usually means it is closed; if an open route has no places at your chosen time, choose another entry slot or a different official trail. Routes managed by municipalities or other bodies may appear on the official list but are not necessarily subject to the IFCN reservation and fee regime.<\/p>\n