Madeira’s beautiful landscapes and scenic trails make it a perfect destination for family-friendly hikes. As there are many hikes in Madeira to choose from, picking can be though. Here’s a guide to some of the best hikes to enjoy with kids, ensuring fun and memorable experiences for everyone.
Can you hike with your family in Madeira?
Yes you can! However, you need to adjust yourself to your little ones.
- Choose Easy to Moderate Hikes: Opt for trails that are not too long or strenuous. This ensures that everyone, including young children, can keep up and enjoy the experience.
- Use a Baby Carrier: For hikes with significant elevation changes or narrow paths, a baby carrier is highly recommended. It keeps your little one safe and allows you to navigate challenging sections more easily.
- Avoid Tunnels: Select trails that do not include tunnels, as they can be hazardous with a baby carrier. Low ceilings and uneven surfaces can pose a risk for bumping heads or tripping.
- Check the Weather: Madeira’s weather can be unpredictable, and very locally different. Dress in layers and bring waterproof clothing if there’s a chance of rain.
- Pack Essentials: Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and hats for sun protection. A small first aid kit is also a good idea in case of minor injuries.
- Plan Breaks: Take regular breaks to rest, hydrate, and enjoy the scenery. These breaks are especially important for young children who may tire more easily. Use these moments to have a snack, take some photos, and relax.
- Engage the Kids: Keep the children engaged by pointing out interesting plants, animals, and landmarks along the way. Turning the hike into an adventure or a nature treasure hunt can make it more enjoyable for them.
By considering these tips and planning ahead, you can have an enjoyable hiking experience with your family in Madeira. The island’s stunning landscapes and diverse trails offer a wonderful opportunity for adventure and bonding time with your loved ones.
Exploring Madeira: Family-Friendly Hikes for an Unforgettable Adventure
PR 6.2 Levada do Alecrim and 6.3 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
Skip the crowded 25 Fontes trail and opt for the Levada Alecrim trail. In this hike you walk mostly all by yourself and offers stunning scenery that kids will love. The trail is mostly flat and manageable to hike with kids in a carrier. One of the coolest points on the levada Alecrim was when you climb up a staircase and the levada runs next to you with full force! On your way you can go off the path downwards and make your way to Lagoa do Vento, an impressive 80m high waterfall, and have a picnic by the picturesque waterfall.
Afterward, head down again to Rabaçal, a picturesque place for lunch or some delicious pie.
Kidstip: if you had enough of hiking, you can take a shuttle back from rabacal to the parking lot. We hiked the not so scenic roadside route back.
Distance: 6.8km (8.6km with detour) | 4.2 mi (5.3 mi with detour)
Time: 2-3 hours, 5hours with lunchbreak
Altitude : 500 meters
Vereda Balcões viewpoint and Pico Arieiro (Ninha manta viewpoint)
Distance: 1.5 km back and fourth
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 45 min
Start: Ribeiro Frio
Max. Altitude / Min. Altitude: 880 m / 870 m
For families with older kids, consider the Pico to Pico hike for a full day of adventure. For younger children, the Vereda Balcões trail is a great alternative. Hike to the viewpoint for breathtaking views. There is also a trout farm to visit at the starting point.
Then combine it with a trip to Pico Arieiro and continue to the Ninho da Manta Viewpoint at Pico Arieiro. The views are spectacular, and kids will enjoy the sense of adventure. After the hike, have a relaxed picnic while watching the sunset, a perfect way to end the day. Make sure you take enough layers with you, in the evening it can be freezing above the clouds!
PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo
When you split the Pico to Pico trail, you can do the Pico Ruivo hike another day. This short hike to the peak of Pico Ruivo offers beautiful views of the island’s highest peak. The walk to the top takes only about 1.5 hours, and there is a café at the parking lot where you can have lunch or pie. Unfortunately, we tried to visit on different days, but all we saw were clouds.
Distance: 5.4km | 3.4 mi
Time: 1.5 hours
Altitude (climb): 1862 meters
PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde (only the non-tunnel part)
Take your family on a scenic hike to the popular Caldeirão Verde, perfect for kids with its relatively easy terrain and beautiful views. If you have a baby carrier, be aware that you can only do part of the trail due to many low tunnels. We hiked up to the tunnel and then explored other small trails in the area where our 18-month-old could walk himself. The hike follows a levada, so it’s almost flat, but the path is narrow next to the levada, which can make passing other hikers a bit tricky and make the hike longer than he is. We did the hike early and when it rained a bit therefore we were mostly alone.
Tip: Come early, and try parking all the way up to the parking lot! Even if there are already lots of cars parked next to the road, we still found plenty of space.
At the starting point, there are some small animals, which our kid really enjoyed interacting with!
Distance: full length 8.6 km + 8.6 back
Time: 6:30 hours (breaks included) => we estimate 1 hour until the tunnels
Min. Altitude/ Max. Altitude : 872 m | 1020 m => almost flat before the tunnel part
PR13 – Verada Fanal Forest
Distance: 3.0km | 1.9 mi (not really a route, more a valley where you can walk)
Time: 1-2 hours
min. Altitude: 1150 meters
Start your day early with a visit to the mystical laurel forest of Fanal. This serene location is perfect for a peaceful morning walk with the family. Mornings also have a higher probability of clouds hanging over. The enchanting atmosphere and unique flora make it a memorable experience for kids. Our kid enjoyed walking between these ancient trees while playing hide and seek with us. The wild cows were a bonus attraction.
Don’t forget to stop at the Ribeira da Janela viewpoint afterwards for stunning coastal views.
PR 8 – Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
Distance: 3.2km | 2.0 mi (6.4km return)
Time: 2-3 hours
Altitude (climb): 350 meters
Pick a cool day for the hike to Miradouro de São Lourenço, as the trail has little shade. Try to go as early as possible to avoid the heat. The hike is manageable for older kids and offers spectacular views. The pathway is always broad enough, even for those with a fear of heights.
Be prepared for multiple seasons in one day—the fast-changing weather can mean sweating under the sun, getting cold from sudden wind, or even wet from a short rainfall. The panoramic views are a great reward for the whole family and made us feel like we were in Scotland.
Kidtip: you can take a boatshuttle back if you don’t want to hike the same route back. Just go to the restaurant at the end of the trail and book your ticket. We had a large lunchbreak and hiked this beautiful trail all the way back.
Take a trip to Madeira
Whichever hike you take know that there are many family friendly hikes in Madeira, and you can hardly choose wrongly. Madeira is so beautiful and diverse on such a small island that every part of the island has other views in store.
We did all of these hikes ourselves and we are stoked to be back and try some others as well! We can only recommend Madeira for family friendly hikes, the paths are all well- marked and well-maintained.
If you want to see our itinerary on a 10 day trip to Madeira, click here and see what else is there in this diverse country!