Leave Madeira better than you found it
Three principles for exploring this island in a way that respects the environment, the communities, and the trails that make it extraordinary.
Leave No Trace
- Take litter home — bins are rare on remote trails
- Never feed wildlife, including the famous Madeira Firecrest
- Avoid trails after heavy rain when erosion risk is highest
- Use designated parking areas to protect trailhead vegetation
- Stay on the boardwalk at PR1 Pico do Arieiro — it exists for a reason
Madeira's natural beauty is fragile. The levada network is centuries old, the laurisilva forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many trails run through protected nature reserves. What you do on the trail matters.
Stick to marked paths — shortcutting damages root systems and causes erosion on steep slopes. Pack out everything you bring in. Don't pick endemic plants, even common-looking ones. Keep noise to a minimum around nesting areas in spring.
Support Local
- Look for 'Produto da Madeira' labels on local produce and wine
- Book local guesthouses (quintas) over international hotel chains
- Tip guides, drivers, and hotel staff — service salaries are modest
- Avoid large coach tour operators for popular hikes when possible
- Ask your accommodation about local restaurants before searching online
Tourism is Madeira's lifeblood, but not all spending reaches the people who live here. Small choices about where you eat, who guides you, and what you buy make a real difference to local families and communities.
Choose local restaurants over international chains — even in Funchal, many restaurants are family-run for decades. Hire local guides for specialist hikes; they know the trails intimately and the fee goes directly into local households. Buy from the Mercado dos Lavradores for fresh produce and handicrafts made on the island.
Respect Culture & Community
- Dress modestly when visiting churches or religious festivals
- Don't photograph locals without asking permission
- Learn a few words: 'bom dia', 'obrigado/a', 'com licença'
- Respect quiet hours in villages — early starts are local life, not tourist entertainment
- Avoid flying drones near private property without explicit permission
Madeira is not a theme park. It's home to 270,000 people with deep traditions, a distinct identity, and an understandable ambivalence about over-tourism. Travelling with awareness makes you a welcome guest.
Many villages along popular levadas are residential — keep noise down when passing through, especially early morning. Some churches and chapels are genuinely active places of worship; dress appropriately and be discreet with cameras. The Madeiran people are proud and hospitable — a few words of Portuguese go a long way.
Trail
Rules
Six rules for every hike
- 1Yield to uphill hikers — they have right of way on steep terrain
- 2Keep to the right on narrow levadas to let faster walkers pass
- 3Don't block trail gates — they control livestock, not tourists
- 4Carry at least 1.5L of water per person on full-day hikes
- 5Tell someone your route and expected return time for remote hikes
- 6Turn back if conditions change — no viewpoint is worth a mountain rescue
Peak season vs shoulder season
One of the most impactful choices you can make — for your experience, your budget, and the island.
Peak season (Jul–Aug)
- Overcrowded car parks at PR1, Levada 25 Fontes
- Queues at popular viewpoints (Cabo Girão, Pico do Arieiro)
- Higher accommodation and car hire prices
- Trail erosion on the most-photographed routes
- Pressure on small restaurants in tourist villages
Shoulder season (Mar–May, Sep–Oct)
- Empty trails, especially on weekday mornings
- Wildflowers in spring, warm sea in October
- More authentic interaction with local communities
- Lower prices across all accommodation tiers
- Atmospheric weather: low cloud, dramatic light, mist over the valleys