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    Paúl da Serra plateau with cloud inversion below, Madeira
    All Regions
    mountain

    Central Peaks & Plateau

    High-altitude wilderness including Pico Ruivo (1862m), Pico do Arieiro (1818m), Paúl da Serra plateau, Curral das Freiras valley, Rabaçal levada trails (25 Fontes, Risco), and Fanal Forest. Cool, often above clouds.

    mixed

    Climate

    highland

    Terrain

    high

    Crowds

    4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

    Best months

    Overview

    About Central Peaks

    Alpine-style wilderness with levada trails, cloud-level peaks, and hidden valleys.

    Paúl da Serra plateau with cloud inversion below, Madeira
    Trails

    Hike Central Peaks

    PR1 Vereda do Areeiro ridge trail between volcanic peaks, Madeira

    Vereda do Arieiro (Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo)

    mountainHard
    12 km5-8h
    25 Fontes waterfall amphitheatre with emerald pool, Rabacal, Madeira

    Levada das 25 Fontes

    levadaEasy
    10 km3-4h
    PR21 Caminho do Norte ancient laurel forest path, Madeira

    Caminho do Norte

    easy walkModerate
    3.2 km1.5-2h
    Lagoa do Vento emerald swimming hole, Levada do Alecrim, Madeira

    Levada do Alecrim

    levadaModerate
    7 km3.5-4.5h
    Levada do Barreiro high-altitude open path with mountain panorama, Madeira

    Levada do Barreiro

    levadaEasy
    5.2 km2.5-3.5h
    Risco waterfall plunging over the cliff face, Rabacal, Madeira

    Levada do Risco

    levadaEasy
    3 km0.5-1h
    Caldeirões waterfall and levada in northeast Madeira

    Levada dos Caldeiroes

    levadaEasy
    8.4 km2.5-3.5h
    Levada Velha do Rabacal with sunbeams through the laurel canopy, Madeira

    Levada Velha do Rabaçal

    levadaEasy
    7 km2.5-3h
    PR3 ridge traverse at dawn with cloud sea filling both valleys, Madeira

    PR3 Vereda do Burro/Encumeada

    mountainHard
    7.2 km2.5-3.5h
    Pináculo jagged volcanic pinnacles on the Folhadal ridge, Madeira

    Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal

    mountainHard
    15 km5.5-7h
    Viewpoints

    Views From Central Peaks

    Paredão stacked miradouros and terraces in late-afternoon golden light, Madeira

    Miradouros do Paredao

    miradouro·1050m
    Boca dos Namorados viewpoint over Curral das Freiras valley, Madeira

    Miradouro Boca dos Namorados

    miradouro·1000m
    Miradouro Garganta Funda

    Miradouro Garganta Funda

    miradouro·550m
    Map

    Explore Central Peaks

    Places

    Places in Central Peaks

    Abrigo do Pastor Restaurant

    restaurant

    Sabores do Curral - Valley Flavours

    restaurant

    When to Visit Central Peaks

    Full calendar →
    5 best months4 to avoid
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Nearby

    Explore Neighbouring Regions

    Ponta de São Lourenço volcanic peninsula, east Madeira

    East (Machico to Ponta de São Lourenço)

    Historic first settlement (Machico) and the arid, windswept Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula. Mix of beaches, coastal levadas (including Vereda do Larano), and lunar-like landscapes contrasting with the island's lush west.

    Funchal city amphitheatre and harbour at golden hour, Madeira

    Funchal

    Madeira's capital and largest city, offering cultural attractions, botanical gardens, historic old town, marina, and the widest range of accommodation and dining. Main transport hub with cable cars to Monte.

    North coast emerald cliffs and Atlantic waves, Madeira

    North Coast (São Vicente to Seixal)

    Lush, wild coastline with towering green cliffs, black-sand beaches at Seixal, natural pools, and powerful Atlantic waves. Wetter and greener than the south, popular with surfers and hikers, includes São Vicente's volcanic caves.

    Santana valley with traditional A-frame thatched houses, Madeira

    Northeast (Santana & Highlands)

    Madeira's traditional mountain heartland with iconic thatched-roof houses, access to Pico Ruivo (highest peak) from Achada do Teixeira, laurel forest trails, and north-facing valleys. Green, wet, and culturally rich.