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Guide updated on November 9, 2026

Safety, water and rescue on the Madeira Crossing

Emergency numbers in Madeira, IFCN advice, levada tunnels, vertigo, water along the Madeira Crossing and the Prociv app.

Useful numbers

  • 112: European emergency number.
  • Madeira Civil Protection: +351 291 700 112.
  • IFCN (trail status, camping): +351 291 145 590, on weekdays.
  • The Prociv Madeira app (iOS and Android): weather and fire alerts.

IFCN advice

  • Do not walk alone, and leave your itinerary with someone close to you.
  • Check the trail status, the weather and the fire risk before each stage.
  • Do not set off in heavy rain, strong wind, hail or snow.
  • Finish the stage before nightfall, with water, food, warm clothes and a charged phone.

The law states that hikers are solely responsible for any damage occurring on the trails: insurance covering mountain rescue is strongly recommended.

Tunnels, vertigo and tricky sections

  • Tunnels: the PR1 has several, and the Levada do Norte (stage 4) has two that are several hundred meters long and sometimes flooded. A headlamp per person is essential.
  • Vertigo: the Larano cliff path, the PR1 ridge and some levadas run along sheer drops, often without railings.
  • Descents: Pico Ruivo – Encumeada and Fanal – Ribeira da Janela each descend more than 1,100 m.

Water

No official source lists the water points on the crossing. On each stage, we show the fountains, taps and springs mapped in OpenStreetMap within 150 m of the trail. Their water is not tested: filter or treat it, and always set off with at least 1.5 liters, especially on stage 1 after Portela. The cafés (Portela, Poiso, Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo hut, Encumeada) sell bottled water.

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