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. “PR” stands for Pequena Rota, 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.
What is an official PR trail in Madeira?
Madeira’s 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 Caniço parish authority.
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.
| Facto prático | 2026 information |
|---|---|
| Official routes on Madeira Island | 38 PR trails |
| Official routes in the archipelago | 41 PR trails, including 3 on Porto Santo |
| Standard visitor fee | €4.50 per individual IFCN-managed classified trail |
| PR1 complete route fee | €10.50 for Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, including PR1.1, PR1.2 and PR1.3 access where available |
| Reservas | Mandatory online reservation through SIMplifica for IFCN-managed classified trails |
| Guide required? | No; hiking with a guide is optional |
| Best way to check closures | Consult the live official IFCN trail-status list before leaving |
Full Madeira Island PR trail list by area and difficulty
Difficulty is a practical guide rather than an official universal grade. “Easy” suits most mobile walkers on a dry day; “moderate” means sustained distance, uneven ground or steps; “strenuous” means major ascent or descent, exposure, long duration or mountain conditions. Elevation below refers to the trail’s setting, rather than total ascent.
Central mountains and Funchal uplands
PR1 Vereda do Areeiro — 6.1 km; high mountain; strenuous; point-to-point. PR1.1 Vereda da Ilha — 8.2 km; high mountain to north coast; strenuous; point-to-point descent. PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo — 2.8 km each way; high mountain; moderate; out-and-back. PR1.3 Vereda da Encumeada — 11.2 km; high mountain; strenuous; point-to-point. PR2 Vereda do Urzal — 10.3 km; mountain valley; strenuous; point-to-point. PR3 Vereda do Burro — 6.7 km; high uplands; moderate; point-to-point. PR3.1 Caminho Real do Monte — 5.5 km; upland to Funchal; moderate; point-to-point. PR4 Levada do Barreiro — 6.7 km; Funchal uplands; moderate; point-to-point.
East, Santana and Machico
PR5 Vereda das Funduras — 8.7 km; forested east; moderate; point-to-point. PR8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço — 4 km each way; low coastal peninsula; moderate; out-and-back. PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde — 8.7 km each way; high Laurissilva forest; strenuous; out-and-back. PR9.1 Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Um Caminho para Todos — 1.9 km; forest; easy; accessible linear route. PR10 Levada do Furado — 11 km; forested uplands; moderate; point-to-point. PR11 Vereda dos Balcões — 1.5 km each way; Ribeiro Frio forest; easy; out-and-back. PR23 Levada da Azenha — 1.3 km; low coastal Caniço; easy; linear route.
Rabaçal, Paul da Serra and northwest
PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes — 4.3 km each way; Rabaçal plateau and valley; moderate; return route with controlled one-way circulation. PR6.1 Levada do Risco — 3 km each way; Rabaçal; easy to moderate; out-and-back. PR6.2 Levada do Alecrim — 3.5 km each way; plateau; moderate; out-and-back. PR6.3 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento — 1.8 km each way; steep waterfall valley; moderate; out-and-back. PR6.4 Levada Velha do Rabaçal — 5 km; high plateau; moderate; point-to-point. PR6.5 Vereda do Pico Fernandes — 3.8 km; plateau to valley; moderate; point-to-point. PR6.6 Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo — 2.3 km; Rabaçal; moderate; point-to-point. PR6.7 Vereda da Câmara de Carga do Rabaçal — 1.8 km; Rabaçal; easy to moderate; point-to-point. PR6.8 Levada do Paul II – Um Caminho para Todos — 1.2 km; plateau; easy; accessible linear route. PR7 Levada do Moinho — 10.5 km; northwest levada country; moderate; point-to-point. PR13 Vereda do Fanal — 10.8 km; high plateau and laurel forest; moderate; point-to-point. PR13.1 Vereda da Palha Carga — 1.8 km; Rabaçal; easy to moderate; point-to-point. PR14 Levada dos Cedros — 7.2 km; Laurissilva forest; moderate; point-to-point. PR15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela — 2.7 km; northwest valley; moderate; downhill point-to-point. PR16 Levada Fajã do Rodrigues — 3.9 km each way; São Vicente valley; moderate; out-and-back. PR17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal — 15 km; central plateau; strenuous; point-to-point. PR18 Levada do Rei — 5.3 km each way; north-coast forest; moderate; out-and-back. PR21 Caminho do Norte — 3.2 km; Encumeada slopes; strenuous; point-to-point. PR22 Vereda do Chão dos Louros — 1.9 km; laurel forest; easy; circular walk. PR27 Glaciar de Planalto — 4.6 km; Paul da Serra; moderate; point-to-point. PR28 Levada da Rocha Vermelha — 10.7 km; western plateau and forest; strenuous; point-to-point.
Southwest and south coast
PR12 Caminho Real da Encumeada — 12.5 km; mountain ridge and south-facing slopes; strenuous; point-to-point. PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar — 1.8 km; steep coast; strenuous; downhill point-to-point. PR20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar — 1.9 km; steep coast; strenuous; downhill point-to-point.
Porto Santo’s three official PR trails
Porto Santo has its own separate PR numbering, so do not confuse PS PR1 with Madeira’s PR1. PS PR1 Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã is 2.7 km each way, moderate and out-and-back, across the island’s 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’s best-known summit. PS PR3 Levada do Pico do Castelo is 4.1 km, moderate and point-to-point.
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.
Fees, mandatory reservations and transport planning
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’s SIMplifica platform. Each reservation is for a specific entry time slot, and places can sell out on the most popular routes.
The usual fee is €4.50 per trail. The complete PR1 crossing from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo costs €10.50 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.
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.
What to do when a PR trail is closed
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.
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.
- Book before driving: mountain mobile coverage is unreliable, so save your booking confirmation and official route panel offline.
- Read the route type carefully: “4 km” on PR8 means 8 km walking return; the same applies to many levada routes.
- Plan a second choice: pair popular Rabaçal walks with nearby PR6.2, PR6.4, PR6.5 or PR6.8 rather than relying on one route.
- Respect one-way systems: PR6 has controlled circulation, and PR1’s high-mountain crossing has directional rules.
- Carry a torch for tunnels: several levada routes include dark tunnels, even when the trail itself is relatively gentle.
- Do not judge by distance alone: wet steps, sheer valleys, wind and long transfers can make a short Madeira hike feel much bigger.
Perguntas frequentes
How many PR trails are there in Madeira?
There are 38 official PR trails on Madeira Island. Add Porto Santo’s three classified PR routes and the Autonomous Region of Madeira has 41 official recommended trails.
Are all Madeira PR trails levada walks?
No. The network includes levadas, mountain veredas, historic paths, coastal routes, forest trails and accessible short walks. PR1, PR8 and PR19, for example, are not classic levada hikes.
Do I need to pay for every official trail?
Fees and online reservations apply to IFCN-managed classified trails covered by the 2026 access regime. Some officially listed routes are managed by other authorities, so always check the manager and current access conditions.
Which PR trail is best for a first Madeira hike?
PR11 Vereda dos Balcões is the gentlest classic introduction, while PR6.8 and PR9.1 are the most accessible official options. For a longer but manageable levada experience, consider PR6.1 Levada do Risco or PR18 Levada do Rei when open.
Facts and prices verified in September 2026 using the official IFCN classified-trails list and 2026 reservation guidance. For route-by-route inspiration, continue with Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira (PR1.2), Levada do Cedros (PR14) and our complete guide to how many levadas there are in Madeira.
