The Madeira Collective
Walked this?
Add your photos and they'll appear here, credited to you.
Two minutes, four quick steps. You'll create a profile at the end so your photos stay credited to you.
Pico das Torres
Pico das Torres: walk in Madeira
Pico das Torres is a 5 km out-and-back walk in Santana, rated hard. It climbs about 500 m in total and takes about 4 hours to walk.
Off-trail scramble to Madeira's second-highest peak, only for experienced mountaineers; no marked path.
Share this venue
About Pico das Torres
Pico das Torres sits in the lush, north-facing slopes around Santana and is a demanding hike with exposed sections, long stair climbs and serious elevation change. Over its 5 km point-to-point route, Pico das Torres climbs around 500 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
It packs a lot of variety into a relatively short distance, which is why it stays busy through the season. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails. It sits outside the official PR network, so it is less obviously waymarked, bring a downloaded map and treat the route description as your primary source.
What to know before you go
- Trail runners are fine on dry days; switch to grippy hiking boots if rain is forecast, wet basalt is unforgiving.
- Bring more water than the distance suggests; the cumulative climb is what drains energy, not the kilometres.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Start at sunrise to beat both the heat and the cloud layer that often builds over the central ridge by late morning.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go, trails close after storms or rockfalls.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Santana, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.74869, -16.93819
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Pico das Torres.
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind, dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
Visitor reviews
Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Pico das Torres. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
Loading reviews…
Frequently asked
How long does the Pico das Torres hike take?
Most hikers complete Pico das Torres in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 5 km long with about 500 m of elevation gain.
Is Pico das Torres suitable for beginners?
Pico das Torres is rated hard and is not recommended as a first Madeira hike. It involves steep stairs, exposed ridges and serious elevation change. Build up to it on easier levada walks first.
Do I need a guide for Pico das Torres?
No, Pico das Torres is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Plan around Pico das Torres
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Pico das Torres in a day.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Pico das Torres.
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
The monthly Madeira letter
Once a month: what's on the island next month, trails that closed or reopened, ferry and cable car changes, and the new guides worth reading. Written by Mike, no sponsored posts, unsubscribe in one click.
Your address is used for this letter only. Never sold, never shared.