The Madeira Crossing in 5 days: day-by-day plan

For fast walkers, this plan pushes the first day on to Poiso, then links Pico do Areeiro and the PR1 to Pico Ruivo. The third day takes you from Pico Ruivo to the Caramujo camping zone via Encumeada and the Levada do Norte tunnels, with more than 1,600 m of descent.

The fourth day crosses the whole Paul da Serra to Fanal, and the last one descends gently to the ocean. You need to be used to 8- to 9-hour days carrying a camping pack.

Day-by-day plan

Day	Leg	Distance	Ascent	Descent	Walking time	Overnight
	Poço do Gil → Poiso The Chão das Feiteiras camping zone is 1.6 km before Poiso.	26.2 km	1,900 m	730 m	9h30 – 11h	Chão das Feiteiras and Poiso
	Poiso → Pico Ruivo	11.8 km	820 m	440 m	4h15 – 5h	Pico Ruivo
	Pico Ruivo → Caramujo Via Encumeada and the Levada do Norte tunnels.	18.2 km	1,380 m	1,890 m	9h – 10h45	Bica da Cana, Estanquinhos and Fontes Ruivas
	Caramujo → Fanal Via Bica da Cana, Fontes Ruivas, the Paul da Serra and 25 Fontes.	23.4 km	740 m	850 m	6h45 – 8h	Fanal
	Fanal → Ribeira da Janela	10.6 km	130 m	1,250 m	3h30 – 4h15	Ribeira da Janela
Total		90 km	4,970 m	5,160 m

Distances and ascent calculated on the waymarked main route; “≈” marks a day on a variant (estimated values). Walking times according to the DIN 33466 standard, without breaks.

The itinerary on the map

one colour per dayD1overnight stopvariants

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Tips for this itinerary

The third day descends more than 1,600 m: make sure your knees are ready, and poles are recommended.
Set off at dawn on the first day: the final climb to Poiso is long.