Walking on Madeira : 60 mountain and levada routes on Madeira and Porto Santo

Known as the "Island of Eternal Spring", it offers year-round walking in a landscape of soaring mountains, flower-filled valleys and ingenious levada irrigation channels that contour the hillsides. This Cicerone guidebook is your complete companion to exploring these islands on foot, with 60 carefully curated day walks covering mountains, coast, forests and classic levada routes. Written by renowned outdoor author Paddy Dillon, the guide blends meticulously researched route descriptions with local insight, helping you plan safe, rewarding and memorable days in Madeira's most spectacular landscapes. Routes range from 4 to 27km (2–17 miles), catering to all abilities—from relaxing levada strolls to more strenuous high-mountain hikes like Pico Ruivo, the island's highest peak at 1,862m. All routes are easily accessed from Funchal, the island's main accommodation base, with details provided on planning, facilities and public transport. Beyond the trails, rich introductory sections cover Madeira's geology, history, flora, fauna and protected areas, along with notes on Funchal, Monte and Porto Santo to help you get more from your trip. Each walk includes sketch maps supplemented by GPX files for digital navigation. Whether you're planning a dedicated walking holiday or seeking the best levada walks and mountain hikes, this comprehensive guide provides the detail and reliability you need to discover Madeira's most spectacular trails with confidence.