400+ km of trails hiked Every trail personally tested

Contact Madeira Hiking Tours

I'm Sofia Almeida. I started this site after walking 400km of Madeira's levadas and summit trails, because I got tired of reading guides written by people who'd spent a week on the island. If something on this site needs correcting, or if you have a trail question I haven't answered, send it my way.

I read every email. I can't always reply the same day, I'm often on a trail with no signal, and some of Madeira's levadas are remote enough that my phone is just a camera, but I'll get back to you, usually within 48 hours.

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🇵🇹 Before You Hike (2026 Update)

SIMplifica booking is now mandatory for all classified PR trails in Madeira. You must book online before arrival and show a QR code at the trail entry.

Standard trails: €4.50 per person
PR1 (Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo): €10.50 per person (from April 2026)
Book at: simplifica.madeira.gov.pt

Check trail status before you go: IFCN official trail status · IPMA weather

📌 PR1 spent part of early 2026 partially closed for rockfall repairs. It has since reopened. Always verify current status with IFCN, conditions change. Guided tours that include your trail fee are a convenient option, see recommended tours below ↓

General inquiries: sofia@madeira-trail-guide.com

Corrections & trail updates: Use the same address, put "Correction" in the subject line. Trail conditions change fast on Madeira, and I update pages regularly, but eagle-eyed readers catch things faster.

What I Can Help With

Trail recommendations: Not sure which levada or summit hike is right for your fitness level? Tell me your dates and hiking experience.
Factual corrections: If a tour price, schedule, trail condition, or detail is out of date, I want to know.
Trail condition questions: "Is PR1 safe after rain?" "Are the 25 Fontes stairs currently open?" I track IFCN and IPMA updates.
Media & partnerships: If you run a legitimate outdoor publication or Madeira tourism board, reach out.

What I Can't Help With

Viator booking issues: I don't process bookings, I link to Viator's platform. For refunds or booking problems, contact Viator directly.
Guest posts or sponsored content: Every word on this site is mine. I don't publish external articles.
Backlink requests / SEO pitches: These go straight to the bin.

Last updated: June 1, 2026

How Quickly We Reply

Every message gets read personally by Sofia. Most replies go out within 48 hours during Madeiran business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Western European Time). If your question is about a specific hike or levada walk, please mention your group's fitness level and any prior hiking experience, that helps us point you to the right trail. We can't see Viator booking details from our end, so for cancellations or refunds, contact Viator customer service directly using your confirmation number.

What to Ask Us

Useful questions: which levada walk suits a family with kids aged 8 to 12, how to combine a Pico do Areeiro sunrise with a Ponta de São Lourenço hike without overdoing it, whether the 25 Fontes walk is doable in November, and what to wear for a high-altitude hike in winter. Less useful: hotel recommendations (we don't review hotels), car rental advice (we don't partner with rental companies), and questions about Madeira's other islands (Porto Santo is outside our scope).

Working With Local Guides

If you're a licensed Madeira mountain guide and you'd like to be reviewed, send a one-paragraph pitch with the typical trail, group size, and price. We don't accept payment for reviews, and we won't publish a review unless we've hiked with you ourselves or sent someone we trust. Reviews go live within 2 to 4 weeks of the hike. We don't run sponsored placements.