Skip to content
Explore Madeira
🥾 Hiker3 days

Three days, three forests

Pico Ruivo · Rabaçal · Levada do Furado

At a glance

The central ridges, the western waterfalls and the north-eastern Laurisilva: day three follows one of the oldest public levadas from Ribeiro Frio to Portela and ends on Machico's beach.

Difficulty
Moderate · about 31 km · one-way crossings (logistics)
Best season
Trails open all year on SIMplifica booking; PR 1 fully reopened on 1 May 2026, PR 7, 20, 27 and 28 are closed and PR 1.3, 4, 12 and 17 partly — check the official status. Fog, wind and cold possible in the mountains in any season.

🎒 Packing list

  • Walking shoes
  • Water, 1.5 L per person per outing
  • Windbreaker, warm layer, hat for dawn at Areeiro
  • Head torch (tunnels)
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • SIMplifica bookings (€4.50 / PR 1 €10.50)
  • Swimsuit for the evening swim

Day by day

Day 1 · The three peaks, from sunrise to Pico Ruivo9

📍 Pico do Areeiro → Pico Ruivo → Achada do Teixeira → Santana · ⏰ 05:15 · 🚗 ~1 h 55

  1. 06:15 → 07:15Photoby car · 30 min · ~30 min

    Pico do Areeiro at sunrise

    At 1,818 m, the summit you can drive to: the sunrise show, weather permitting, draws photographers and early risers — the best hour, provided you wrap up. Parking €4 per hour, viewpoint free.

    📍 Miradouro do Pico do Areeiro

    💡 Insider tip — Horários do Funchal shuttle (times on their site) if you would rather not drive in the dark.

  2. 07:15 → 07:30Photoon foot · 2 min · ~2 min

    Ninho da Manta, home of the Zino's petrel

    A few metres from the start of PR 1: the Fajã da Nogueira valley, rock formations rising from the clouds, and the nesting ground of the Zino's petrel, Europe's most threatened seabird. Free.

    📍 Miradouro do Ninho da Manta
  3. 07:30 → 10:45Visiton foot

    PR 1: Areeiro → Pico Ruivo, the three peaks

    6.1 km and about 3 hours from Pico do Areeiro (1,818 m) to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) through the Pico das Torres tunnels, one-way from Pedra Rija; fully reopened on 1 May 2026. Full ticket €10.50 on SIMplifica, morning slot to walk before the clouds.

    💡 Insider tip — No return transport: descend by PR 1.2 to Achada do Teixeira (2.8 km) and arrange a vehicle or taxi.

  4. 10:45 → 11:30Photoon foot

    Pico Ruivo, 1,862 m

    The archipelago's highest point, Portugal's third summit, reachable on foot only: Curral das Freiras, Santana, Ponta de São Lourenço, Paul da Serra and, in good visibility, Porto Santo and the Desertas. Free viewpoint; snack at the top.

    📍 Miradouro do Pico Ruivo
  5. 11:30 → 12:30Visiton foot

    PR 1.2: Achada do Teixeira → Pico Ruivo

    The shortest way to the archipelago's roof: 2.8 km (and back) from the Achada do Teixeira car park and its "Homem em Pé", 1.5 hours return, a well-built path with shelters. SIMplifica booking €4.50; early, for the sea of clouds.

  6. 13:15 → 14:30Mealby taxi · 20 min · ~20 min

    Lunch in Santana, Biosphere Reserve

    The north-coast town, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2011: lunch of sopa de trigo or espetada before the coastal viewpoints (Quinta do Furão, Rocha do Navio, Cabo Aéreo).

    📍 Santana
  7. 15:00 → 16:15Breakby car · 10 min · ~10 min

    Queimadas, the thatched house

    Santana's busiest forest park: the thatched Casa de Abrigo, now the Casa das Tradições Madeirenses, centuries-old tils and tree heaths, picnic area, café and bird hide; paid parking (€2/h).

    📍 Parque Florestal das Queimadas
  8. 16:30 → 17:15Visitby car · 10 min · ~10 min

    Santana's traditional houses

    The Núcleo of triangular wooden houses with thatched roofs and blue-red-white façades in the centre of Santana: free, with one of the 85 official viewpoints — the children's stop after the levada.

    📍 Casas Típicas de Santana (Núcleo)
  9. 19:30Mealby car · 45 min · ~45 min

    Dinner in the Zona Velha: espetada or espada

    In the evening Rua de Santa Maria becomes the liveliest quarter in town: tables outside, bay-laurel beef espetada, black-scabbard fillet with banana, bolo do caco, and a poncha to finish.

    📍 Zona Velha (Rua de Santa Maria)

💡 PR 1 is one-way from Pedra Rija: you do not come back to Areeiro. Descend by PR 1.2 to Achada do Teixeira and book a taxi (or leave a second car there); full ticket €10.50.

🌧️ Rainy-day alternative — The official advice is to give up the trails in heavy rain, wind or hail: São Vicente caves, Ribeira Brava Ethnographic Museum, Madeira Story Centre, or the more sheltered south-coast viewpoint road.

🎒 What to bring — Walking shoes, 1.5 L of water per person, snacks, windbreaker and a warm layer — the peaks are windy and cold even in fine weather —, sunscreen, head torch for tunnels, SIMplifica booking on your phone.

  • PR trails: since 1 January 2026 you book a 30-minute slot on SIMplifica — €4.50 per trail (full PR 1 €10.50), free for residents and children up to 12, registration compulsory even when exempt.
  • Closures are decided officially (weather, safety, works); a weather warning does not close a trail automatically. Check the official status the day before and on the morning itself.
  • Safety advice: never walk alone, tell someone your route, finish before dark, carry spare water and food, give up in heavy rain, wind or hail. Emergencies 112.
  • On Paul da Serra and in the Maciço Montanhoso, fog, wind and cold are possible in any season; the peaks often rise above a sea of clouds: dress warmly and start early.
  • Pico do Areeiro: paid parking, €4 per hour; a shuttle is run by Horários do Funchal (times on their site). PR 1 is one-way from Pedra Rija: no return transport is provided, plan your own logistics.
  • Water: at least 1.5 L per person — no fountains on most trails, and the official advice is to carry spare water and food.
  • Narrow, winding mountain roads, tunnels and fog: journey minutes are estimates without traffic or photo stops — allow extra time.
Day 2 · Rabaçal: 25 Fontes, Risco and Lagoa do Vento7

📍 Paul da Serra → Rabaçal → Calheta · ⏰ 06:30 · 🚗 ~1 h 35

  1. 07:45 → 08:00Driveby car · 55 min · ~55 min

    Across the Paul da Serra plateau

    The island's only plateau, at about 1,500 m: in clear weather both coasts are visible at once; fog, wind and cold are possible in any season. The road to Rabaçal, Fanal or Bica da Cana, past wind farms and picnic areas.

    📍 Paul da Serra
  2. 08:15 → 11:15Visitby car · 15 min · ~15 min

    PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes

    Madeira's busiest levada: 4.3 km from the Rabaçal car park (ER 105) to the Lagoa das 25 Fontes and back, about 3 hours, controlled one-way — the initial descent has to be climbed again on the way back. First SIMplifica slot to have the lagoon almost to yourself.

    💡 Insider tip — Combine with PR 6.1 Levada do Risco (3 km, 2 h, easy): same start.

  3. 11:15 → 12:45Visiton foot

    PR 6.1 Levada do Risco, the waterfall

    The little sister of the 25 Fontes, graded easy and recommended for families: 3 km to the Risco waterfall and back, about 2 hours, same start at the Rabaçal car park. SIMplifica booking €4.50.

  4. 12:45 → 13:30Mealon foot

    Picnic at Rabaçal

    On the Pico da Urze balcony over the island's largest Laurisilva valley: no restaurant in this rest-and-quiet area, so a packed picnic with bolo do caco and market fruit.

    📍 Rabaçal
  5. 13:45 → 15:15Visiton foot · 10 min · ~10 min

    PR 6.3 Lagoa do Vento, the hidden waterfall

    1.8 km (and back, 1.5 hours) from the Casa de Abrigo do Rabaçal to the lagoon below the Ribeira do Lajeado waterfall, between heathers and Laurisilva; graded easy, to follow in the afternoon after the Risco. SIMplifica booking.

  6. 16:15 → 18:00Breakby car · 25 min · ~25 min

    Calheta sandy beach

    100 m of imported golden sand (2004) sheltered by two breakwaters, warm calm water, canoeing and windsurfing. Blue Flag, supervised 29 June – 30 September — the late-afternoon swim after Rabaçal.

    📍 Praia da Calheta (areia)
  7. 19:00Mealon foot · 1 min · ~1 min

    Dinner in Calheta, late sunsets

    The municipality with the island's latest sunsets and lowest rainfall: dinner near the marina, espetada or fish, after the beach.

    📍 Calheta

💡 Three trails from the same car park: book the first PR 6 slot to avoid the queue at the controlled one-way section, then PR 6.1 and PR 6.3 in the afternoon (one slot per trail).

🌧️ Rainy-day alternative — The official advice is to give up the trails in heavy rain, wind or hail: São Vicente caves, Ribeira Brava Ethnographic Museum, Madeira Story Centre, or the more sheltered south-coast viewpoint road.

🎒 What to bring — Walking shoes, 1.5 L of water per person, snacks, windbreaker and a warm layer — the peaks are windy and cold even in fine weather —, sunscreen, head torch for tunnels, SIMplifica booking on your phone.

  • PR trails: since 1 January 2026 you book a 30-minute slot on SIMplifica — €4.50 per trail (full PR 1 €10.50), free for residents and children up to 12, registration compulsory even when exempt.
  • Closures are decided officially (weather, safety, works); a weather warning does not close a trail automatically. Check the official status the day before and on the morning itself.
  • Safety advice: never walk alone, tell someone your route, finish before dark, carry spare water and food, give up in heavy rain, wind or hail. Emergencies 112.
  • Levadas with tunnels (Caldeirão Verde, Fajã do Rodrigues, Túnel do Cavalo): a head torch is essential, ledges are narrow and wet — not for anyone prone to vertigo.
  • Water: at least 1.5 L per person — no fountains on most trails, and the official advice is to carry spare water and food.
  • Narrow, winding mountain roads, tunnels and fog: journey minutes are estimates without traffic or photo stops — allow extra time.
  • On Paul da Serra and in the Maciço Montanhoso, fog, wind and cold are possible in any season; the peaks often rise above a sea of clouds: dress warmly and start early.
Day 3 · Levada do Furado, from Ribeiro Frio to Portela8

📍 Ribeiro Frio → Portela → Machico → Pináculo · ⏰ 06:45 · 🚗 ~1 h 15

  1. 08:00 → 08:30Visitby car · 30 min · ~30 min

    Ribeiro Frio and its trout

    The forest park shows the original flora (laurel, til, vinhático, mountain orchid) and the trout farm has raised rainbow trout since 1960 (€3 over 12); frequent fog — the cool stop before Balcões.

    📍 Parque Florestal do Ribeiro Frio (Posto Aquícola)
  2. 08:30 → 09:45Visiton foot · 2 min · ~2 min

    PR 11 Balcões trail

    The easiest walk in the Laurisilva: 1.5 km almost flat along the Levada da Serra do Faial to the balcony over the Ribeira da Metade valley and, in clear weather, the three peaks; 1.5 hours all told, tame chaffinches at the end. SIMplifica booking €4.50.

  3. 09:45 → 14:45Visiton foot · 5 min · ~5 min

    PR 10 Levada do Furado, Ribeiro Frio → Portela

    11 km and about 5 hours along one of the oldest public levadas, from Ribeiro Frio (ER 103) to Portela (ER 102), every shade of Laurisilva green and then the farmland of Faial; a one-way crossing, leave a vehicle at Portela. SIMplifica booking.

  4. 14:45 → 15:00Photoon foot

    Portela pass, Porto da Cruz and Penha d'Águia

    At 670 m between Machico and Porto da Cruz, east and north in one glance: Porto da Cruz's orange roofs and the 600 m rock of Penha d'Águia. End of PR 10 and start of PR 5; free.

    📍 Miradouro da Portela
  5. 15:30 → 16:45Mealby car · 15 min · ~15 min

    Lunch on Machico bay

    After the shadeless peninsula, Machico bay and its terraces: black-scabbard fillet, grilled limpets, bolo do caco — then Banda d'Além beach (supervised 16 June – 27 September) for a siesta.

    📍 Machico
  6. 16:45 → 18:00Breakon foot · 1 min · ~1 min

    Banda d'Além beach

    About 70 m of imported golden sand, one of the island's rare sandy beaches, Blue Flag, supervised 16 June – 27 September, with cabins, showers and access for reduced mobility: the children's swim after Machico.

    📍 Praia da Banda d'Além (Machico)
  7. 19:30 → 20:00Photoby car · 20 min · ~20 min

    Pináculo at nightfall

    Roadside, direct access.

    📍 Miradouro do Pináculo
  8. 20:15Mealby car · 10 min · ~10 min

    Dinner in the Zona Velha: espetada or espada

    In the evening Rua de Santa Maria becomes the liveliest quarter in town: tables outside, bay-laurel beef espetada, black-scabbard fillet with banana, bolo do caco, and a poncha to finish.

    📍 Zona Velha (Rua de Santa Maria)

💡 An 11 km one-way crossing: leave a car at Portela or arrange a taxi back to Ribeiro Frio; the Balcões viewpoint (PR 11) is a 1.5 km warm-up from the same start.

🌧️ Rainy-day alternative — The official advice is to give up the trails in heavy rain, wind or hail: São Vicente caves, Ribeira Brava Ethnographic Museum, Madeira Story Centre, or the more sheltered south-coast viewpoint road.

🎒 What to bring — Walking shoes, 1.5 L of water per person, snacks, windbreaker and a warm layer — the peaks are windy and cold even in fine weather —, sunscreen, head torch for tunnels, SIMplifica booking on your phone.

  • PR trails: since 1 January 2026 you book a 30-minute slot on SIMplifica — €4.50 per trail (full PR 1 €10.50), free for residents and children up to 12, registration compulsory even when exempt.
  • Closures are decided officially (weather, safety, works); a weather warning does not close a trail automatically. Check the official status the day before and on the morning itself.
  • Safety advice: never walk alone, tell someone your route, finish before dark, carry spare water and food, give up in heavy rain, wind or hail. Emergencies 112.
  • Levadas with tunnels (Caldeirão Verde, Fajã do Rodrigues, Túnel do Cavalo): a head torch is essential, ledges are narrow and wet — not for anyone prone to vertigo.
  • Water: at least 1.5 L per person — no fountains on most trails, and the official advice is to carry spare water and food.
  • Narrow, winding mountain roads, tunnels and fog: journey minutes are estimates without traffic or photo stops — allow extra time.

📱 Plan my day

Want this plan in your pocket, with the map, the weather and your favourites? The app is on its way.

Get the app