Intermediate · east → west
8days
The Madeira Crossing in 8 days, at a relaxed pace
Eight stages of 8 to 15 km: nights at Portela, Chão das Feiteiras, Pico Ruivo, Encumeada, Caramujo, Ribeira do Alecrim and Fanal.
90 km · 4,950 m ascent
The crossing in full.
From Poço do Gil (Caniçal) to Ribeira da Janela, in 4 to 8 days.
Challenging · east → west
7days
The Madeira Crossing in 7 days
A first day split at Portela, then the classic stages: seven stages of 10 to 17 km.
90 km · 4,950 m ascent
Challenging · east → west
6days
The Madeira Crossing in 6 days (camping)
The benchmark plan: six stages of 10 to 25 km, each night in an IFCN camping zone, from Poço do Gil to Ribeira da Janela.
90 km · 4,950 m ascent
Challenging · east → west
6days
The Madeira Crossing in 6 days despite the closures
A realistic plan while the PR10 and PR1.3 remain closed: two transfers by taxi or bus, and a descent via the PR2 to Curral das…
76 km · 3,730 m ascent
Very challenging · east → west
5days
The Madeira Crossing in 5 days
Five long days of 9 to 25 km: nights at Poiso, Pico Ruivo, Caramujo and Fanal.
90 km · 4,970 m ascent
Expert · east → west
4days
The Madeira Crossing in 4 days
Four days of 20 to 26 km for very fit walkers: nights at Poiso, Encumeada and Ribeira do Alecrim.
90 km · 4,960 m ascent
The eastern half.
From the cliffs of Machico to Pico Ruivo, the roof of the island.
Challenging · east → west
3days
The eastern half in 3 days: to Pico Ruivo
From the cliffs of Machico to the roof of the island: Boca do Risco, Larano, Pico do Areeiro and the PR1, then the descent to…
41 km · 2,750 m ascent
The western half.
From Encumeada to the ocean, via the Paul da Serra and Fanal.
Intermediate · east → west
4days
The western half in 4 days, at a relaxed pace
The western half in four short stages, with a night at Caramujo and one at Ribeira do Alecrim, near 25 Fontes.
42 km · 1,890 m ascent
Challenging · east → west
3days
The western half in 3 days: from Encumeada to the ocean
The Levada do Norte tunnels, the Paul da Serra, 25 Fontes, Fanal forest and the Levada dos Cedros to Ribeira da Janela.
42 km · 1,890 m ascent
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Plan my itineraryCompare at a glance.
| Itinerary | Section | Days | Distance | Total ascent | Ascent / day | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Madeira Crossing in 8 days, at a relaxed pace | Full route | 8 | 90 km | 4,950 m | 620 m | Intermediate |
| The Madeira Crossing in 7 days | Full route | 7 | 90 km | 4,950 m | 710 m | Challenging |
| The Madeira Crossing in 6 days (camping) | Full route | 6 | 90 km | 4,950 m | 830 m | Challenging |
| The Madeira Crossing in 6 days despite the closures | Full route | 6 | 76 km | 3,730 m | 620 m | Challenging |
| The Madeira Crossing in 5 days | Full route | 5 | 90 km | 4,970 m | 990 m | Very challenging |
| The Madeira Crossing in 4 days | Full route | 4 | 90 km | 4,960 m | 1,240 m | Expert |
| The eastern half in 3 days: to Pico Ruivo | Eastern half | 3 | 41 km | 2,750 m | 920 m | Challenging |
| The western half in 4 days, at a relaxed pace | Western half | 4 | 42 km | 1,890 m | 470 m | Intermediate |
| The western half in 3 days: from Encumeada to the ocean | Western half | 3 | 42 km | 1,890 m | 630 m | Challenging |
Why east to west?
The PR1, between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo, is one-way towards Pico Ruivo after the Miradouro da Pedra Rija. Any crossing that uses it is therefore walked from east to west, from Poço do Gil (Caniçal tunnel) to Ribeira da Janela.
In full or by halves?
The crossing splits naturally at Pico Ruivo and at the Encumeada pass. As long as the PR1.3 remains closed between Boca das Torrinhas and Encumeada, walking the two halves separately, with a transfer between them, is the simplest solution. See the trail status.