Five days let you split Madeira between two bases: two nights in Funchal, then the rest on the north coast around Santana. The split follows the trails: the PR 1 crossing from Pico do Arieiro ends at Achada do Teixeira, about 10 km and 17 minutes by road from Santana, and Levada do Caldeirão Verde starts 4 km from the town. Fees, distances and trail status below were checked with IFCN and SIMplifica on 28 October 2026.
Day 1 — Funchal, from the market to Monte
Walk to Mercado dos Lavradores, then take the Funchal cable car to Monte for the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the Monte toboggan. Spend the evening in the old town (Funchal guide).
Day 2 — The east tip and a swim
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR 8) runs 4 km each way from Baía d'Abra to Cais do Sardinha. The trailhead is about 31 km and an estimated 33 minutes from central Funchal. Afterwards, Prainha do Caniçal is 2.5 km back along the same road.
Weather back-up: the peninsula is low and treeless, so it can be walkable when the mountains are in cloud, but it offers no shade or shelter from wind. If it is closed, swap in the Garajau marine reserve, about 7 km from the centre, or Cabo Girão, about 14 km west.
Day 3 — Sunrise at Pico do Arieiro, then move north
Sunrise timing
| Date | Civil twilight begins | Sunrise |
|---|---|---|
| 21 June 2026 | 06:32 | 07:00 |
| 28 October 2026 | 06:57 | 07:22 |
| 21 December 2026 | 07:39 | 08:06 |
These are calculated local times for the summit. Aim to reach the Pico do Arieiro viewpoint before twilight begins: from Funchal it is about 18.6 km, an estimated 31 minutes without traffic, on a mountain road in the dark. Check out of your Funchal hotel the night before or leave luggage in the car.
Two ways to do the PR 1 on a moving day
Vereda do Areeiro (PR 1) is 6.1 km to Pico Ruivo; only the west branch through the tunnels is open. Past the Pedra Rija viewpoint (km 1.2) it is one-way towards Pico Ruivo.
- Full crossing (€10.50): Pico do Areeiro → Pico Ruivo → down PR 1.2 (2.8 km) to Achada do Teixeira. Someone has to drive the car round: about 37.4 km and 52 minutes by road. In June 2026 IFCN opened two entry slots for this direction, 07:00–07:30 and 07:30–08:00, with 70 places each.
- One car, no driver to spare: book the €4.50 out-and-back to Pedra Rija at sunrise, then drive north. Next morning, walk PR 1.2 from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo and back (2.8 km each way; PR 1.2 is listed as its own trail on SIMplifica, so book it for that date).
On the way north, stop at Ribeiro Frio (about 15 minutes from Arieiro) for Vereda dos Balcões (PR 11), 1.5 km each way. Sleep in or near Santana.
Day 4 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde and Santana
Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR 9) is 8.7 km each way from Queimadas, about 4 km and 7 minutes from Santana by road. Doing it with PR 11 the day before? Bookings on different days are priced per trail (€4.50 each). In the afternoon, see the Santana thatched houses.
Weather back-up: if PR 9 is closed or very wet, IFCN lists a separate 1.9 km PR 9.1, Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Um Caminho para todos, from Queimadas to Pico das Pedras. Check its status before you book. The north coast guide has more.
Day 5 — North coast west: Seixal, Véu da Noiva and Porto Moniz
From Santana to Seixal is about 33 km, an estimated 39 minutes. Stop at the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, swim at Seixal beach, and continue 8.8 km to the Porto Moniz natural pools. With time left, the Fanal forest is about 14 km (21 minutes) uphill from Porto Moniz.
From Porto Moniz to Madeira Airport is about 60 km and an estimated 69 minutes. Leave a wide margin if you have an evening flight.
Weather back-up: Fanal sits on the plateau and is often in fog, which some visitors come for, but it limits views. Keep it optional.
Before you go
- Book every PR trail on SIMplifica in advance. Payment is only refundable if the trail is officially closed. See trail booking and fees.
- Check IFCN or Visit Madeira the evening before. Rain, wind or fog can close trails temporarily, and walking a PR without a valid booking is an infraction.
- Driving times are OpenStreetMap routing estimates without traffic. Mountain roads take longer.
- Planning the season? Read best time to visit Madeira. Choosing where to eat? See what to eat in Madeira.