If you’re coming to Madeira, chances are hiking is at the top of your list. And rightly so. With hundreds of trails spread all across the island, it’s one of the best hiking destinations in Europe. But once you start planning, the same questions always come up: how do you actually get to the hikes, and more importantly, how do you get back from one-way trails?

Let’s break down the best transportation options so you can plan your hiking days without overthinking the logistics.

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Renting a car

This is by far the most popular option, and honestly, for good reason. Having a car on Madeira gives you the freedom to explore the entire island at your own pace. From Funchal, you can usually reach most hiking starting points in under an hour, which makes planning super flexible.

One of the biggest advantages is that you can adjust your plans based on the weather. Clouds in the mountains? Just drive to the other side of the island. No waiting for buses, no fixed schedules, no stress about getting back in time. You hike when you want, as long as you want.

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Of course, there are a couple of downsides. You need to deal with parking, and for one-way hikes, you somehow need to get back to your car.

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Parking at hiking trails

The good news is that most hiking trails still offer free parking. Only a few popular spots like Pico do Arieiro or Levada do Caldeirão Verde require payment, which you can do at machines on arrival (cash or card). Even famously busy areas like Rabaçal are still free, which honestly feels like a small miracle.

The challenge is not the cost, it’s the crowds. Parking lots at places like São Lourenço, Pico do Arieiro, Rabaçal, Fanal, or Achada do Teixeira (Pico Ruivo) fill up quickly. And once they’re full, things get chaotic. Cars line the roads, squeeze into questionable spots, and sometimes end up in places that really don’t feel made for parking.

My tip is simple: timing is everything. Arrive early in the morning before 9am, or go later in the afternoon from around 1 or 2pm. One of my favorite little moments is driving up to São Lourenço in the afternoon, passing all the cars parked along the road from the morning rush, and then getting a front-row spot once things calm down.

For lesser-known hikes, parking is usually much easier. Usually they have small lots, but even if they do fill up, you can almost always find a spot along the road. Just make sure you’re not blocking anything and avoid blind corners.

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How to get back from one-way hikes

This is probably the question I get the most. The honest answer is: it depends on the trail. But here are the best options that usually work.

Taking two cars is the simplest solution if you’re traveling with a group. Leave one car at the start and one at the end. It takes a bit of planning but works really well.

Turning your hike into a loop is another great option. You don’t always have to walk the exact same way back. In areas like Rabaçal, you can combine multiple trails into a loop with the different PR 6 trails. Another one of my personal favorites is combining PR3 and PR4 (details in my blog here). I’m a big fan of loop hikes in general.

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Using a taxi or Bolt can work, but only in certain areas. Once you’re outside of Funchal, Bolt becomes unreliable, so taxis are usually the better option. A good trick is to ask at a local café or bar for a taxi number. For example, if you’re doing the peak-to-peak hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, you can ask at the mountain hut near Pico Ruivo to call a taxi. Then walk down about 30 minutes to the parking lot where the taxi will meet you.

And then there’s hitchhiking. It might sound a bit unusual, but on Madeira it actually works surprisingly well, especially in touristy areas. There’s often just one road and everyone is heading in the same direction. I’ve personally hitchhiked back after the Vereda do Fanal and Pico do Arieiro without any issues. Of course, use common sense and trust your gut to stay safe, but overall I’ve only had positive experiences.

Public transport

I’ll be honest here, I really wish Madeira had a better public transport system, especially in the summer when the roads get busy with rental cars. The main challenges with buses are that they run infrequently outside of Funchal and the schedules are not always easy to figure out.

Within Funchal, Horários do Funchal operates most routes and many of them show up on Google Maps. There’s also a bus to Pico do Arieiro that works very well, even though it’s not listed on Google Maps (details in my blog post here)

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Outside of Funchal, companies like SIGA and Rodoeste operate with PDF schedules that you need to look up online. Buses only run a few times a day, so planning ahead is essential. The good news is that one-way hikes are possible with buses as well. I’ve put together a full guide with routes in my blog post here: https://your-madeira.com/2026/01/11/madeira-hiking-trails-by-bus/

Most bus-accessible hikes are in the southeast near Funchal. The north and west of the island can take several hours to reach and are not ideal for day hikes by bus. Some areas like Paul da Serra are not accessible at all. If you do take the bus, bring cash and be patient. Buses don’t always run exactly on time, but the fares are very affordable, usually around 2 to 3 euros.

Hiking tours and transfers

If you don’t want to drive and don’t want to deal with bus schedules, guided hikes or transfer services are a great option.

They require very little planning and are especially useful for one-way hikes. Trails like Vereda do Larano to Machico are commonly offered as transfers. Rabaçal is another great example, since it’s difficult to reach by public transport but very easy to hike on your own once you’re there.

One thing to keep in mind is that most operators do not include the PR trail reservation, so you’ll still need to book your time slot yourself. Also, make sure you keep track of the return time so you don’t miss your ride back to Funchal. If you’re planning to use transfers, it’s best to stay in Funchal since most services start there.

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So what’s the best option?

For me, renting a car is still the best choice overall. It gives you the flexibility to explore the island fully and adapt your plans as you go. Yes, the roads can be steep and narrow at times, but if you’re comfortable driving, it’s absolutely manageable and 100% worth it.

I hope this helps make your planning a bit easier. And if you’re looking for more hiking inspiration, don’t forget to check out my PR trails guide which also includes a section on hikes you can do by bus.