Every time I hike in Madeira, I see people on the trails who are simply not prepared. They are wearing unsuitable shoes, starting far too late, unsure of where they are going, or with no real understanding of how long the trail will take them.

Honestly, that is probably because for many people, it is their first proper hike. Social media has a way of making Madeira’s most beautiful places look like a simple walk in the park. You see a quick video of a waterfall, a mountain ridge or an incredible viewpoint, but not the steep climbs, slippery paths or logistics required to reach them.

If you choose an easy trail like Levada dos Balcões, you might get away with being underprepared. But no matter which hike you choose, you are still out in nature. Conditions change quickly, paths become slippery and phone signal can disappear without warning. So over the years I’ve learned to always spend a few minutes preparing before every hike. It has become a routine, and it has saved me from unpleasant surprises more than once.

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1. Download the Route Offline

The very first thing I do is download the route before leaving my home. Mobile reception can be unreliable in Madeira’s mountains, valleys, tunnels and remote areas. You should never rely on having internet access throughout your hike.

My favourite app is Komoot because it lets me download maps for free, view the elevation profile and adjust the estimated hiking time to match my own pace. Other good options include AllTrails and WalkMe. WalkMe is particularly useful because it focuses specifically on Madeira’s hiking trails.

Whatever app you choose, make sure the route is downloaded before you leave and that your phone battery is fully charged.

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2. Check the Current Trail Status

Once I know where I am going, I check whether the trail is actually open and accessible. For official PR trails, I always look at the IFCN website first to see whether a route is open, restricted or closed.

But I don’t stop there. Even if a trail is officially open, it does not necessarily mean conditions are perfect. I also check recent reviews on AllTrails and Google to see what hikers have experienced during the last few days.

I usually look for things like:

• Fallen trees or landslides

• Flooded paths, muddy or slippery sections

• Tunnel conditions (PR17 is a prime example where the tunnels often flood in the winter time)

• Parking or access issues

Especially after heavy rain, these recent reviews can be incredibly useful.

3. Check the Weather Properly

One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is checking the weather in Funchal and assuming it applies everywhere. Madeira has countless microclimates. It can be sunny on the coast while the mountains are covered in thick fog, rain or strong winds.

I normally use the IPMA forecast together with Madeira webcams on NetMadeira to see what conditions actually look like before leaving.

I also check the weather from the previous few days. Even if today’s forecast looks perfect, several days of rain can leave trails muddy, damaged or blocked by fallen trees.

Wind is another factor many people underestimate. Trails like PR 8 Ponta de São Lourenço are incredibly exposed, and strong gusts can easily affect your balance.

During summer, heat becomes just as important. Some hikes have almost no shade, so starting early, carrying extra water and packing electrolytes can make a huge difference.

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4. Calculate Your Latest Possible Start Time

This is one of the most important parts of hiking preparation, and one that people frequently overlook. Just the other day I encountered hikers heading uphill in the afternoon while I was already making my way back down. Some have stopped me to ask how much farther they still had to go, despite being nowhere near the end of the route.

And yes, I’ve made the timing mistake in the past as well. Now I’ve learned from my mistakes.

Before starting a hike, you should know the total distance, elevation gain and realistic duration. Elevation matters because ten kilometres on a relatively flat levada is completely different from ten kilometres involving a long, steep climb. If you are new to hiking, always add extra time for routes with a lot of elevation.

Komoot has a useful feature that allows you to adjust the estimated duration based on your own hiking pace. Be realistic when choosing the setting. Do not automatically select the fastest pace because you are trying to squeeze three more activities into the same day.

Once you have a realistic hiking time, check the sunset and add a generous buffer. Then work backwards to calculate the latest time you should start.

You should also take the full logistics into account:

• How long the drive to the trailhead will take

• Where you are going to park

• Whether the access road is difficult, traffic, etc.

Some Madeira itineraries are simply far too crowded. When the day starts running behind schedule, the hike often gets pushed into the late afternoon, sometimes because people hope the trail will be quieter by then. Starting later can work for a short and easy route, but you should never begin a hike so late that you risk getting stuck outside after dark.

My own days can be chaotic, and I get sidetracked more often than I would like. That is exactly why I set myself a latest possible arrival time at the trailhead. If I am not there by that time, I do not start the hike. It is simply not worth the risk.

5. Share Your Route and Location

Before hiking, let someone know where you are going and roughly how long you expect the route to take.

I always have my Apple location sharing switched on and Jorge knows exactly which route I am planning to do.

I let him know when I start and when I finish. Sometimes he gets updates along the way too, although these are often just cute pictures of the dogs.

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You may not have phone signal for the entire hike, but it is still helpful for someone to know where you are supposed to be and when you expect to return. This is especially important when hiking alone, but it is also a good habit when hiking with a friend.

Being with another person does not automatically mean you are properly prepared, particularly when neither of you knows the trail or the area. Share the route itself, your planned starting point and your estimated finishing time with someone who is not joining the hike. That way, if you do not return when expected, somebody knows where to start looking and which route you were supposed to be following.

6. Pack the Right Gear

What you carry depends on the trail and the weather, but there are a few things that come with me on almost every hike. My usual backpack is the Osprey Daylite, which comfortably fits everything I normally need for a day hike:

• Plenty of water

• Snacks

• Rain jacket

• Sun protection

• Small first aid kit

• Extra clothing if needed

Good footwear is just as important. You do not always need heavy hiking boots, but you do need shoes with proper grip that suit the terrain. Waterproof shoes are particularly useful during the wetter months.

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Madeira offers some amazing and unique hiking, but the incredible scenery sometimes makes people forget that these are still mountain trails.

Preparing properly does not take long.

Download your route, check the trail conditions, look at the local weather, plan your timing, tell somebody where you are going and pack the right equipment. It is always better to spend ten minutes preparing than finding yourself in a situation that could easily have been avoided.

If you’re planning several hikes during your trip, my Ultimate Madeira Travel Guide includes detailed hiking recommendations, practical planning tips and Google Maps links to help you explore the island with confidence.