The Madeira Crossing in 8 days, at a relaxed pace

This plan takes its time: the first stage is split at Portela, and the west of the island is covered in four short days, with nights at Caramujo, after the Levada do Norte tunnels, and at Ribeira do Alecrim, near 25 Fontes.

No day exceeds 15 km: you have time to climb to the summit of Pico Ruivo at sunset, to walk the 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco loop, and to enjoy Fanal in the evening.

Day-by-day plan

Day	Leg	Distance	Ascent	Descent	Walking time	Overnight
	Poço do Gil → Portela Night at Portela, in Porto da Cruz or in Santo da Serra.	14.4 km	920 m	550 m	5h – 6h	Portela and Porto da Cruz
	Portela → Chão das Feiteiras Via the Levada do Furado (closed as of 9 November 2026).	10 km	800 m	170 m	3h30 – 4h15	Chão das Feiteiras and Poiso
	Chão das Feiteiras → Pico Ruivo Via Poiso, Pico do Areeiro and the PR1.	13.5 km	990 m	440 m	5h – 5h45	Pico Ruivo
	Pico Ruivo → Encumeada Night at the Chão dos Louros camping zone or at the hotel on the pass.	9.9 km	350 m	1,140 m	4h – 4h45	Encumeada and Chão dos Louros
	Encumeada → Caramujo Levada do Norte tunnels: head torch.	8.4 km	1,020 m	750 m	5h – 6h	Bica da Cana, Estanquinhos and Fontes Ruivas
	Caramujo → Ribeira do Alecrim Ribeira do Alecrim camping zone 0.8 km from the route.	11.9 km	330 m	200 m	3h15 – 3h45	Rabaçal and Ribeira do Alecrim
	Ribeira do Alecrim → Fanal Via 25 Fontes and the PR13.	11.5 km	410 m	660 m	3h30 – 4h15	Fanal
	Fanal → Ribeira da Janela	10.6 km	130 m	1,250 m	3h30 – 4h15	Ribeira da Janela
Total		90 km	4,950 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

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Tips for this itinerary

The PR6 to 25 Fontes is one-way: out along the levada, back on the bypass path.
Check the status of the PR10 before the second day and that of the PR1.3 before the fourth.