9 Best Hikes From Funchal, All Less Than 30 Minutes Away
“What are the best hikes from Funchal?” Back in 2023, on my first trip to Madeira, this is exactly what I asked the lady who ran my co-living space.
Little did I know that there are, in fact, very few hikes beginning directly from the city. You could say I made it my mission to find out which hikes you can do from Funchal by bus.
Later, once I had a car, I added a few more to the list – all within half an hour’s drive.
This guide to the best hikes from Funchal begins with my favourite: Levada dos Tornos, which begins directly from Monte.
The rest range from epic mountain hikes to levada walks and coastal trails. I’ve noted which hikes can be reached by bus, transfer or tour.
🌴 Looking for more things to do in Funchal?
Hiking is fantastic, but it’s not the only thing to do from the city. Don’t miss my guides to the best things to do in Funchal and the best day trips from Funchal, covering everything from cable cars and swim spots to whale watching.
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Quick Answer: What Are The Best Hikes From Funchal?
Funchal is one of the best bases for doing the best hikes in Madeira.
While there are surprisingly few trails that begin directly from the city, several stunning hikes can be reached by bus, and some of Madeira’s most famous trails are less than 30 minutes away by car.
- Best Funchal hike overall: Levada dos Tornos
- Best mountain hike without a car: Vereda do Arieiro (PR1)
- Best mountain hike with a car: Pico Grande
- Best hike by bus: Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras
- Best easy hike: Vereda dos Balcões (PR11)
- Best coastal hike: Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)
Can You Hike From Funchal Without a Car?
You absolutely can go hiking from Funchal without a car. I’ve done it!
My favourite no-car hikes from Funchal are:
- Levada dos Tornos: A short bus ride from the Old Town, then a hike back to Monte.
- Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley): A downhill mountain path with direct buses to Funchal at each end.
Most of Madeira’s most famous trails, including Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo (PR1) and Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), require a car or a hiking transfer.
There are still several excellent hikes that can be reached from Funchal by bus, transfer or tour. In this guide, I’ve highlighted which hikes are accessible by public transport and which are easiest with a rental car.
Best Hikes From Funchal That You Can Do By Bus
🥾 Don’t want to hire a car? I’ve spent months figuring out the logistics and rounded up the best trails in my guide to hiking in Madeira without a car.
Remember, classified trails in Madeira require an advance booking via the SIMplifica portal. I’ve noted which ones do and don’t.
1. Levada dos Tornos
- Distance: 6.7 km
- Elevation gain: 327 m
- Time estimate: 2.5 – 3 hours
- Booking required? No
- View the route map on AllTrails.
In my opinion, this is the best hike from Funchal. It’s got incredible city views and it’s accessible by bus.
I’ve done this hike three times. I take the bus (no. 47) from Funchal bus station to Jasmin Tea House, one of the best cafés in Madeira, and then walk to Monte via several viewpoints.
You can then take the bus or cable car back to the city centre.
Read my full guide to the Levada dos Tornos hike.
2. Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley)
- Distance: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Elevation gain: 50 m
- Time estimate: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails (end the hike in Curral Das Freiras).
My second favourite is this trail from the Eira do Serrado viewpoint to Nun’s Valley.
The start and end have direct buses ( bus no.81 – the route marked b or e) from Funchal, so you can easily hike downhill only.
The views are really something, overlooking the inner mountains of Madeira.
Read my full guide to the Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras.
3. Pico do Facho
- Distance: 3.2 km
- Elevation gain: 362 m
- Time estimate: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails
Pico do Facho is a short but rewarding mountain hike with views of Machico, Caniçal and the east coast. On clear days, you can see all the way to Pico do Arieiro.
I’ve done this over 4 times now, and it doesn’t get old.
The best part is that the hike begins directly from the sandy beach, so bring your swimming clothes.
From Funchal, it’s a 25-minute drive. If you don’t have a car, you can take the direct bus from Funchal to Machico (no. 113).
Read my full guide to hiking Pico do Facho.
4. Promenade to Camara de Lobos
- Distance: 10 km
- Elevation gain: 112 m
- Booking required? No
- Time estimate: 2 – 2.5 hours
The walk from Lido to Camara De Lobos is a predominantly flat coastal walk along a well-paved promenade.
I wouldn’t call it a hike, per se, but at 10 kilometres out and back, it’s a significant distance and a worthy mention for the best hikes in Funchal.
It begins in Lido, a 10-minute bus ride from the Old Town.
The promenade passes several swim spots, before ending at a beautiful Madeiran fishing village famed for its sardine and nikita (my favourite drink in Madeira – a combo of pineapple and beer).
You can walk back, or take the bus back to the Old Town from the village (SIGA bus no. 4, 7, 96, 137 and others).
Hikes Less Than Half An Hour’s Drive From Funchal
🚗 Considering hiring a car? Renting a car in Madeira opens up far more hikes from Funchal, especially those off the beaten path. Check out my guide for first-hand tips and considerations.
1. Pico Grande
- Distance: 9.7 km
- Elevation gain: 841 m
- Time estimate: 3.5 – 5 hours
- Booking required? Yes (via PR12)
- View route map on AllTrails
Pico Grande is one of Madeira’s best mountain hikes and less busy than the famous PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro.
It has dramatic ridges and some of the most impressive scenery on the island. Better yet, the startpoint is only a 20-minute drive from Funchal.
You can’t do Pico Grande without a car, sadly. It’s also a challenging hike that’ll take up most of the day, so make sure to start early and take lots of water and food.
Read my full guide to the Pico Grande hike for the details, including two different route options.
2. Vereda dos Balcões (PR11)
- Distance: 3.1 km
- Elevation gain: 152 m
- Time estimate: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Booking required? Yes
- View route map on AllTrails
This one is an easy, family-friendly walk leading to one of Madeira’s most famous viewpoints.
On a clear day, you can see deep valleys and Madeira’s highest peaks. But even in the rain, it’s lovely, with birds gathered around the viewpoint and picturesque stalls along the levada.
From Funchal, you can get there by car in 30 minutes (park near John’s Poncha) or take SIGA buses 56, 103 or 138, getting off at Ribeiro Frio.
3. Vereda do Arieiro (PR1)
- Distance: 8.7 km
- Elevation gain: 955 m
- Time estimate: 4.5 – 5 hours
- Booking required? Yes
- View route map on AllTrails
Vereda do Arieiro (PR1) is Madeira’s most famous hike, linking Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak, with Pico Ruivo, its highest
It’s a must-do hike from Funchal, with its dramatic mountain ridges, tunnels, staircases and sheer drops.
Although the trailhead is less than 30 minutes from Funchal by car, this isn’t a hike to underestimate. The route is challenging, with significant elevation gain and exposure in places.
However, if you’re reasonably fit and the weather cooperates, it’s one of those hikes you’ll be talking about long after you leave Madeira.
One key note: it’s a point-to-point trail, so unless you’re prepared for a 10-hour return trip on the trail, take the PR1 hiking transfer. It’ll drop you off at the startpoint and pick you up 8+ kilometres later down the trail.
4. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (pr8)
- Distance: 10.5 km
- Elevation gain: 510 m
- Time estimate: 3.5 – 4 hours
- Booking required? Yes
- View route map on AllTrails
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8) is Madeira’s most famous coastal hike.
This dramatic trail follows the island’s eastern peninsula, which has rugged cliffs and dusty volcanic landscapes.
It’s a busy one. Many people head there every day from Funchal, either driving (it takes around 30 minutes), taking bus no. 113 or with the convenience of the PR8 hiking transfer.
4. Levada dos Maroços
- Distance: 6.5 km
- Elevation gain: 363 m
- Time estimate: 2.5 – 3 hours
- Booking required? No
- View route map on AllTrails
Onto a far less busy hike, within 25 minutes’ drive of Funchal.
Levada dos Maroços is a levada walk from Machico where you can walk as far as you want before turning back.
It begins with views of Machico, before moving into smaller forested valleys with tiny villages.
I regularly used this trail when I lived in Machico, and it was always crowd-free. But you need a car to get to the trailhead.
Read my full guide to hiking Levada dos Maroços.
FAQs
There are very few hikes directly from Funchal, but the best is Levada dos Tornos which starts or ends in Monte, with bus connections from Jasmin Tea House. There’s also a nice promenade walk to Câmara de Lobos from Lido. Other nearby hikes include Pico Grande (20 minutes’ drive), Vereda dos Balcões (25 minutes) and Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço or Pico do Facho (both half an hour’s drive). These trails range from easy levada walks to challenging mountain hikes.
Yes. Several hikes can be reached from Funchal by bus, hiking transfer or guided tour. Levada dos Tornos, the promenade to Câmara de Lobos and Caminho das Voltas to Curral das Freiras are all accessible by bus from Funchal. Hikes like the PR1 and PR8 are accessible by hiking transfer or tour.
Levada dos Tornos is one of the closest hikes to Funchal, beginning in Monte above the city. The promenade to Câmara de Lobos is another easy walking route that starts directly from Funchal.
Pico Grande is one of the best mountain hikes near Funchal, with views over Madeira’s central mountains. The famous PR1 trail (Vereda do Areeiro) is another excellent mountain hike less than 30 minutes from Funchal.
Yes. Levada dos Tornos is one of the best levada walks near Funchal and can even be reached by public bus. Levada dos Maroços is another easy levada trail less than half an hour’s drive away.
One of the things I love most about Funchal is how quickly you can go from the cobbled streets to the mountains. Whichever hike you choose, I hope you enjoy exploring this beautiful corner of Madeira as much as I have!
