Madeira has been on our bucket list for a while, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. With its lush green landscapes, dramatic coastline and spectacular walking trails, it’s a dream for every nature lover. While the island is famous for its mountainous terrain, not every hike has to be a steep climb. There are a lot of easy and flat routes available where you can soak up Madeira’s scenery. In this guide we share 5 flat hikes in Madeira for you to enjoy the island with a minimal elevation gain!
As the public transport options are pretty limited, we reached all these locations by scooter. We truly recommend Renting a Scooter in Madeira to get around easily. You will also have less issues finding a parking spot compared to renting a car.
Jump to:
- PR11 Vereda dos Balcões
- Ribeiro Frio Waterfall
- Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova
- Praia Walking Road
- Levada da Serra do Faial
- PR17 (First 4 km)
- Flat Hikes in Madeira – Final Thoughts
PR11 Vereda dos Balcões
Vereda dos Balcões (Balcony Walk) is one of the best flat hikes in Madeira. It’s a short and easy trail that takes around 1 hour in total to complete. The total length is 3 km and there’s a minimal elevation gain, but you can still enjoy stunning views and lush greenery.
This hike can get pretty busy though, especially with tours coming around midday. We recommend visiting before 10am so you can enjoy the trail in peace and also find a parking spot easily. The drive from Funchal took us around 45 minutes. We parked by Ribero Frio in the below location, around a 5 minutes walk to the start of the trail.
Make sure you book your slot for the hike in advance as places fill up pretty fast. You can book it on the Simplifica Madeira Website and the cost is around £4 per person.
Ribeiro Frio Waterfall
Ribeiro Frio waterfall is located only 10 minutes walk away from the famous PR11, however it’s often overlooked. The waterfall cascades into a lovely natural pool, with several peaceful spots nearby where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding forest. It’s also a great spot for a refreshing swim.
We parked at Estacionamento do Ribeiro Frio, crossed the road and took the stone steps leading to the waterfall. Even though the walk wasn’t completely flat, it only took us around 5 minutes to reach the waterfall. We recommend ignoring Google Maps directions that tell you to follow the road for 20 minutes. Instead, take the steps, which provide a much quicker and more scenic shortcut.
Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova
If you fancy doing one of the longer flat hikes in Madeira, we recommend Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova trail. The full hike is around 9 km and typically takes around 3 hours to complete. Also, good news – there’s no entry fee compared to the famous PR trails!
The route is mostly circular, and it combines two beautiful levada trails. You’ll pass through lush forests, irrigation channels, terraced hillsides and coastline. One of the highlights is walking behind a waterfall on the Levada Nova section. Even though the trail is generally easy and flat, some sections are narrow with steep drop offs, so it may not be suitable for anyone with a fear of heights or vertigo.
Praia Walking Road
There are many coastal paths and walks around Madeira. Praia Walking Road is a great option which you can easily start from Praia Formosa and head to Promenade de Câmara de Lobos. This is around 2km one way and will take around 25 minutes. You will follow the footpath along the coast, enjoying stunning views of the beaches, cliffs and caves.
Levada da Serra do Faial
The Levada da Serra do Faial is one of Madeira’s most relaxed levada walks, mostly following an irrigation channel through peaceful forests and rural landscapes. The trail is also very quiet, so it’s a great option if you want to enjoy a hike without crowds. There’s also a free parking lot at the start of the hike, with plenty of space even in the middle of the day.
The route offers a relaxing walk with beautiful views of lush vegetation, traditional farmland, and the surrounding hills, making it suitable for walkers of most abilities. The route is not circular through, so you will need to turn around. We walked for around 3 km, and the walk took us around 1.5 hours.
PR17 (First 4 km)
PR17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal hike is known to be one of the most challenging ones in Madeira. This is due to the length, steep incline towards the end and also the location – the hike is not as easy to reach as some of the more popular trails.
However, the first 4 km of PR17 are almost completely flat. The first section of the trail offers a gentle levada walk through Madeira’s ancient forest, and also passes cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation, and several atmospheric tunnels. It’s a great option if you’re craving an adventure without the demanding climbs found later on the trail. We recommend bringing a torch, as the tunnels can be long and dark.
Similarly to other PR trails, you will need to book in advance and pay around £4 per person. Reaching the start of the trail is an adventure of its own! You’ll drive on windy roads (that are well-maintained through) and see some breathtaking viewpoints on the way such as Miradouro Pico da Murta. At the top it can get pretty windy, so a car is probably a better option than a scooter for getting there!
Flat Hikes in Madeira – Final Thoughts
Madeira isn’t just about challenging mountain climbs! The island also offers a great selection of flat and easy walks, where you can enjoy the incredible scenery at a more relaxed pace. We hope this guide helped you find some routes where you don’t have to tackle steep climbs to experience the best of Madeira.
