I recently completed my challenge of hiking every PR trail on Madeira (yes, all of them!). If you’ve been following along on Instagram or TikTok at @your_madeira, you’ve seen my vlogs of each hike. One of the questions I get all the time is: What if I don’t have a car? Can I reach Madeira hiking trails by bus?

To be completely honest, public transport on Madeira isn’t great—especially once you’re outside of Funchal. Schedules are limited, not the easiest to read (hello, PDFs), and forget about using an app. That said, if you’re not planning to rent a car (and I get it—driving here isn’t for everyone), there are a few PR trails you can still explore by bus. You just need to plan ahead.

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Here are my favorite official PR trails that are accessible with public transport:

PR 1: Vereda do Pico do Arieiro

One of Madeira’s iconic hikes! The full trail connects Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, but only a short 1.2 km section is currently open (as of January 2026), which will take you to the popular stairway to heaven (you’ve probably seen it on instagram). In April 2026, the full trail is planned to open again (6km one-way, 600m elevation). It’s a high-altitude hike with steep elevation and lots of stairs – not for beginners.

Bus access:
Horários do Funchal has a dedicated shuttle twice per day to the summit:
horariosdofunchal.pt – Pico Arieiro Service

• Departures from the cable car station in Funchal
• €3, pay in cash
• First bus at 6 AM (perfect for sunrise!)

I recommend the sunrise trip—seeing the sea of clouds from the top is surreal. There’s a café at the top too for a cozy coffee before heading back down. If you don’t want to wait for the return shuttle, hitchhiking is a decent option (everyone up there has a rental car). Or you can simply walk down—right into the next trail!

Read more about the sunrise above the clouds on my blog post here.

PR 3: Vereda do Burro

This lesser-known gem starts from Pico do Arieiro and descends 7.2 km through the lush Parque Ecológico do Funchal, ending at the visitor center. You get panoramic views, shady forests, and even some mini waterfalls.

From the visitor center, continue on PR 3.1 all the way to Monte, Funchal (warning: it’s a steep descent into Monte) or catch a bus:

Bus access:

• Bus 103 or 56 by Siga / CAM
• €2.60, cash on board
• Stop is between Poiso and Funchal (to give you an approximate idea of timing)

It’s a scenic hike, steady yet gentle downhill from 1800m to 1200m, and the café at the visitor center is a nice little bonus.

PR 8: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

An absolute favorite for ocean views and dramatic cliffs. Located on the eastern tip of the island, this 6 km trail (200 m elevation gain) is fairly easy and suitable for most fitness levels.

Bus access:

• Bus 113 from Funchal with Siga / CAM
• Runs regularly (by Madeira standards)
• Final stop: Baía d’Abra, right at the trailhead

Bring sunscreen—this hike is fully exposed, and there’s nowhere to hide from the sun. Also, lots of stairs, so skip if you have knee issues.

All details on the trail in my blog post here.

PR 10 + PR 11: Levada do Furado & Vereda dos Balcões

These two trails share a starting point in Ribeiro Frio, one of the greenest areas on the island. PR 11 is a super easy 1.5 km family-friendly walk to a panoramic viewpoint (perfect views to Pico do Arieiro on a clear day). PR 10 is a longer, stunning levada walk (11 km one-way) that takes you all the way to Portela.

Bus access:

• Bus 103 from Funchal to Ribeiro Frio (Siga / CAM)
• €2.60, cash on board
• If you are doing PR 10 to Portela as a one-way hike, take bus 20 back (it’s a bit of a a longer ride, but it works)

There are cafés and souvenir shops at the trailhead too, so it’s a great place to hang out even before or after your hike while you wait for the bus.

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While many incredible hikes like Rabaçal or the northern coast trails are basically off-limits without a car, the trails I listed here already give you a fantastic variety of landscapes—mountains, forests, levadas, cliffs, and viewpoints.

Want more help planning your Madeira hikes and trip? Grab my Ultimate Madeira Travel Guide, packed with hiking info and local tips for every kind of traveler.