Cross Madeira on foot from Machico in the southeast to Porto Moniz in the northwest with this practical, experience-based planning guide.

The Madeira Island Crossing covers approximately 100–130 kilometers through coastal paths, lush levadas, quiet villages, Madeira’s highest peaks, the Paul da Serra plateau, Fanal Forest, and the dramatic north coast. With steep terrain, changing weather, required trail reservations, and unevenly distributed overnight options, planning the crossing can feel overwhelming. This guide brings the essential information together in one place.

I created it after completing the crossing myself and drawing on years of hiking experience as a Madeira resident. Rather than giving you one rigid schedule, the route is divided into ten flexible segments that you can combine according to your pace, fitness, and preferred overnight stops.

What’s Included

• A 35-page digital PDF guide
• Ten detailed route segments
• Downloadable GPX file for every segment
• A complete six-day sample itinerary
• Distances, elevation, hiking times, terrain, and trail descriptions
• Food, water, restroom, and resupply information
• Campsite, hotel, and guesthouse options
• Practical exit points and transportation alternatives
• Current closure information and the required PR1.3 detour
• PR trail reservations, fees, and booking guidance
• Camping permits and facility information
• Transportation to Machico and from Porto Moniz
• Budget estimates and equipment considerations
• Packing and trail-food checklists
• Fitness, weather, safety, and navigation guidance
• Official planning links and emergency contacts

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is intended for experienced day hikers with good fitness who want to plan a multi-day crossing of Madeira. Previous multi-day hiking experience is helpful but not essential if you prepare properly and choose realistic daily stages.

The crossing includes long distances, substantial elevation, exposed mountain terrain, slippery paths, tunnels, and consecutive hiking days. It is not suitable for inexperienced hikers or anyone uncomfortable with heights and narrow mountain trails.

Plan the Crossing Your Way

Most hikers will complete the route in five to seven days, combining one or two segments per day. The included six-day itinerary uses a mixture of hotels and official campsites, but the segment system allows you to adjust the route around your own pace, accommodation choices, and available time.

Please note that this is a digital product; no physical guide will be shipped. Trail information, fees, and links were checked in September 2026, but conditions can change quickly. Always verify official trail status, reservations, transportation schedules, and weather before departure.