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The essential elements of your trip are already included in the base price. When booking, you can enhance your experience with the following options:
Equipment: hiking pole rental.
Meals: a meal package for the week, including packed lunches and local dinners.
Comfort: luggage transfers between accommodations (for the last 3 days only) or an additional night at the hotel on your arrival day.
Insurance: cancellation insurance and/or travel insurance.
You can find the detailed prices for these options in our Practical Information section.
Please note: A few days before departure, you will also need to purchase your trail access tickets. All instructions and useful links will be available directly in the app 2 weeks before your departure.
It depends on which option you choose.
If you don’t choose the luggage transfer option, then yes, you’ll carry your backpack for all 5 days of hiking.
If you choose the luggage transfer option (available for the last 3 days), you’ll only carry your backpack for the first 2 days. After that, your belongings will be transported from one accommodation to the next, so you can hike with a lighter pack.
Either way, we recommend travelling as light as possible. To pack only the essentials, use our packing list. It’s designed specifically for this trek and will help you make the right choices.
Since this is a self-guided trail, you won’t be hiking as part of one fixed group with a guide. You’ll walk at your own pace, following the route and the detailed directions.
That said, if you’d like to walk with other participants, you’re very welcome to. Whether or not you end up meeting fellow hikers mainly depends on what you feel like doing and on the group taking part during your week.
There are a maximum of 10 participants per departure date.
Over the course of the week, you’ll cover around 85 km in total, with daily stages ranging from 12 to 22 km. The days are planned and balanced so that the distance covered and elevation gained are evenly distributed.
As we offer a fully organised trip, it is not possible to adjust the duration or itinerary. However, you are free to extend your trip independently by spending a few extra days on site afterwards, for example, or continuing your journey to another country.
No, The Madeira Trail isn’t suitable for young children, as the minimum age for participation is 16.
The minimum age for Madeira Trail is 16, and travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
You can book Madeira Trail solo, as a duo, or in a group.
Please bear in mind that there is a maximum group size of 10 people for certain trails.
Since the difficulty of a trek depends on several factors, we've prepared a clear overview of everything that can influence it.
This trek is accessible to anyone between 16 and 65 years old, with good physical fitness and a real taste for adventure. The week is sporty and requires quite a bit of effort, so it's important to be in good health. Also, keep in mind that the weather can change quickly. Please note that people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Children are not allowed.
Want to try a multi-day hike for the first time but unsure about your fitness level?
Ask yourself these questions:
If your answers reassure you and give you confidence to embark on the adventure, then this trek is for you. One week after your booking, you’ll receive a training plan to help you prepare and make the most of the itinerary.
Can I book this trip solo?
Yes, of course. You can absolutely go alone. Depending on the departure date, there are often other solo travelers, so you’ll easily have the chance to meet other hikers along the way if you’d like.
Still unsure and want to test yourself before diving in?
Try one of our micro-adventures, like The Packraft Trail.
The basic price includes the following:
Depending on availability, you can add or remove most options (except cancellation insurance) until a few weeks before departure. Generally, we follow a first-come, first-served principle, so early decision-makers are at an advantage.
Within 5 days after your registration, you must pay a deposit to confirm your trip. After that, you still have until a few weeks before departure to modify your options and pay the remaining balance. If you make changes, the deposit is automatically recalculated.
There are various payment options, including Bancontact, Mastercard, iDeal. If you have a Travelbase voucher, you can use it as well.
If your payment fails, it is likely due to an incorrect reference number or exceeding your account limit.
During your hiking days, you won't come across any mountain huts or restaurants along the trails. That's why we offer a very practical meal option, perfect for enjoying local specialties throughout your journey.
This option includes a packed lunch to take with you and a local dinner at the hotel each evening during your 5 days of hiking. We still recommend bringing your own snacks to keep your energy up during breaks.
Meal overview (subject to change):
Breakfast (included in the base price): Bread, jam, cheese or cold cuts, a hot drink and fruit juice, served à la carte or as a buffet depending on the accommodation.
Packed lunch: Sandwich (ham, cheese, chicken or roast beef), with a piece of fruit, a small dessert and juice.
Dinner: A local fish or meat dish served at the hotel restaurant, or a buffet depending on the stage of the journey.
Dietary requirements and allergies: Vegetarian menus and adaptations for allergies or dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or lactose-free options, are absolutely possible. Just let us know when you book so we can inform our partners.
For your water supply, you can refill your bottles every morning directly at your accommodation.
The trail is designed to be completed in full, so it’s not intended for you to skip a day. You should be able to hike the entire route. With good general health and the right preparation, that’s absolutely doable. Shortly after booking, you’ll receive a training plan to help you build up step by step.
Keep in mind that in the mountains, it’s often quicker to stay on foot than to “shortcut” by car around the terrain. Skipping a section isn’t always as simple as it sounds. That’s why we strongly recommend starting the trail as well prepared as possible: the better trained you are, the more enjoyable and comfortable the experience will be.
If you do have to stop along the way due to injury or health concerns, the ranger will always help you find a safe and realistic solution. Please note: some areas of Madeira are difficult to access by car, so it is not always possible to arrange a taxi or vehicle assistance. In this case, you may have to walk to the nearest road to be picked up. And if you are unable to continue, you will need to call emergency instances for help.
Yes. If you’re extending your trip and want to travel with a few extra belongings, you can easily store your luggage somewhere safe during the hike.
A convenient option is the airport luggage storage facility (around €4.50 per day): https://www.madeiraairport.pt/en/fnc/services-shopping/essential-services/left-luggage
You can also use a luggage storage platform such as LuggageHero to find a nearby drop-off point and leave your bag there temporarily: https://luggagehero.com/.
ID document
Madeira is part of Portugal, so you don’t need a passport. A valid national ID card is enough.
Hiking gear
A good pair of hiking boots is essential in Madeira. Choose footwear that keeps you comfortable during several long days of walking in a row. We strongly recommend A/B to B/C category boots with good ankle support, as some sections can be steep, rocky and uneven.
Before you leave, we’ll also send you a detailed packing list, so you’ll know exactly what to bring.
For the Madeira Trail, there is no separate tourist tax you need to pay. However, Madeira does require an access fee for its official classified hiking routes (PR trails). For most routes, the standard fee is €4.50 per person, per trail.
Payment and reservations are done online via the official SIMplifica platform at simplifica.madeira.gov.pt. After booking, you receive a personal booking confirmation that you may need to show during checks on the trail.
Each participant should reserve their access in advance. In high season, we recommend doing this at least one week before departure to ensure availability. Don’t worry, you’ll receive clear instructions from us on which routes to book and on which dates, so you can reserve the right trails without hassle.
During the trek, you’ll usually have mobile coverage, although signal strength can vary depending on where you are. Mobile data may be slower or unavailable on some sections, but most of the time you’ll have at least a weak signal so you can make a call if needed.
On the trail, the signal may be weaker in narrow valleys, certain parts of the laurel forest, and more remote mountain areas. That’s normal: reception can go from a strong 4G signal to a weaker one, then return a few minutes later.
At your accommodation, you’ll always have mobile coverage, and wifi is also available so you can easily stay reachable in the evening.
Practical tips
On The Madeira Trail, you always start hiking the day after you arrive. For example, if you book the week from April 15 to April 21, you arrive on April 15, and your first hiking day is April 16.
So our departure dates already include your arrival day and your departure day. You don’t need to book any extra days to do the trail. Of course, if you’d like to stay longer to explore Madeira, you’re more than welcome to.
You can add an optional hotel night in Funchal for your first night. In the example, that’s the night of April 15 to April 16.
You can still add this extra night to your booking up to 2 months before departure, subject to availability.
Example: week of April 15 to April 21
In the Travelbase App, you’ll see this period as your full stay.
During The Madeira Trail, you’ll stay in comfortable places where you can truly rest after a full day of hiking.
In total, you’ll spend
Finding accommodation on Madeira is not always easy. Our goal is to put you as close as possible to the trail, in places surrounded by nature. That's why we have carefully selected hotels and a refuge that are cozy, comfortable, and ideally located, with beautiful views so you can rest well each night and set off the next day with all the energy you need.
Travelling solo?
If you sign up on your own, you’ll share a room with another participant in separate beds. We always do our best to room participants of the same gender together, might this not be always possible.
Yes, you can get to know your fellow travellers two weeks before departure via the official group chat in the Travelbase app. Due to privacy legislation, we do not share personal contact details, but you can, of course, exchange details amongst yourselves during the trail.
A few weeks before departure, you will receive a detailed packing list, carefully compiled by our experienced team. The packing list includes everything you need for your adventure, from clothing to equipment and useful extras.
To give everyone the freedom to arrive at a time that suits them, and because we travel in small groups, we don't offer a direct airport shuttle.
Getting to your accommodation is still very easy. Our app contains all the information you need, including the bus route to take as soon as you leave the terminal, as well as our recommended partner taxi service.
Rest assured, all the main transport between Enotel Magnolia and the starting point of your hikes is fully included in your trip price.
Unfortunately, we do not offer flights for The Madeira Trail. You can easily book your own flights to Funchal (using tools like Google Flights) from main hubs such as Amsterdam (Transavia, EasyJet, TAP Air Portugal) or Brussels (Ryanair, TUI fly, TAP Air Portugal).
Feel free to pick dates that let you extend your stay on Madeira, but please ensure you arrive in time for the trail shuttle transfer. You can find more detailed flight information and transfer timing on our website under the flights section.
In the run-up to your trip, you will receive all practical information at the following stages:
You can find all practical information about Madeira Trail step by step in the Travelbase app once you have completed your booking. You will also receive the most important updates by email.
Madeira enjoys a mild climate all year round. On the south coast, you’ll often get plenty of sunshine, with temperatures generally around 17°C in winter and reaching up to 26°C in summer. The sea is pleasant too, usually staying between 18°C and 24°C.
In the mountains, conditions can change very quickly. It can be noticeably cooler, windier and sometimes misty, with nights that are much colder than on the coast. That’s why we strongly recommend bringing a fleece, a technical rain jacket and rain trousers.
Madeira is also known for its microclimates. On the same day, you can go from clear blue skies by the ocean to mist or rain at higher elevations.
In short, expect a real mix: bright sunshine one moment, thick clouds a few hours later. Come prepared and you’ll get to enjoy every side of the island. Shortly after booking, we’ll send you a detailed packing list so you don’t forget anything.
Unfortunately not. For safety reasons, dogs aren’t allowed on this hike. The Madeira Trail includes steep sections, significant elevation changes, and occasionally technical terrain, making it unsuitable for dogs.
Looking for a trip to take with your four-legged friend? Check out this page!
We don’t recommend this trail if you suffer from severe fear of heights. Many sections in Madeira run along steep mountain slopes and can include narrow paths close to cliffs.
If you’re travelling solo and you know height exposure makes you uncomfortable, we strongly advise against joining for safety and comfort reasons. If your fear of heights is manageable and you feel more confident with the support of a friend, it may be possible.
Please note that we can’t be held responsible if fear of heights prevents you from continuing the hike.
High-top hiking boots are mandatory. Low-cut walking shoes, running shoes, trainers, or other low-cut footwear are not permitted. The terrain is often uneven and challenging, so high-top hiking boots are required to provide adequate ankle support and reduce the risk of injury.
The Madeira Trail is a self guided trail. This means you’ll do the hike entirely on your own, but with everything you need to make it a success. We take care of the practical side, so you can simply hike and enjoy.
Before your trip starts, you’ll get access to our Travelbase App, where you’ll find all routes, highlights and practical information. Each day includes clear descriptions, navigation and tips so you can head out well prepared, even in changing conditions.
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