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Vereda do Larano in Madeira - 2025 Hiking Guide

Hiker in blue jacket walks along a narrow, lush green coastal path with steep cliffs on Vereda do Larano on Madeira and the ocean in the background. Mood is serene.

Vereda do Larano is undoubtedly one of the best hiking trails on Madeira. This coastal path connects Porto da Cruz and Machico, offering a moderately easy hike with numerous fantastic viewpoints that provide unique perspectives of the ocean and the dramatic eastern cliffs. Although Vereda do Larano is not an official trail, it is regularly used by local hiking guides and trail running events, ensuring its condition is consistently maintained.

Is Vereda do Larano good for children?

Vereda do Larano can be a great trail to explore with children. The path is not particularly demanding and feels relatively flat as you approach the trailhead. However, it is quite open and exposed at certain points, with significant drops along the way, so it’s not ideal for beginners. For families who are already experienced hikers, Vereda do Larano could be one of the top choices for hiking on Madeira.

Coastal road view with a yellow house, hill and ocean on the right in Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Overcast sky. Sign reads "Caminho do Barreiro" with a dead end symbol.

How to get to Vereda do Larano on Madeira

Vereda do Larano is located in the eastern part of Madeira, and as a point-to-point trail, it can be started from either Machico or Porto da Cruz. There are various ways to hike this trail, making it flexible enough to extend into a full-day adventure. For example, you could combine it with the PR8 trail along the cliffs or, for a more challenging off-the-beaten-path experience, climb to Espigão Amarelo, as I once did with a local tour guide, Márcio from Madeira WonderHikes. You can even watch our hike on YouTube. Many hikers opt to start in Machico and take a taxi back after finishing in Porto da Cruz.

Having done this hike multiple times, I find the best route is to start in Porto da Cruz and finish at the Boca do Risco viewpoint. This way, you quickly reach the most exciting sections of the trail while skipping the less engaging 3-kilometer climb through old Machico neighbourhoods and farmland.

When starting in Porto da Cruz, you have two main options. First, you can begin at Maiata Beach, where roadside parking is convenient, or park in the town and walk approximately 2 kilometers uphill through Porto da Cruz neighbourhoods to reach the cable car viewpoint. Alternatively, you can drive directly to the viewpoint and park there. However, the parking space is very limited, accommodating only about five cars, and the road is steep, which might be challenging for drivers unfamiliar with mountain roads.

Plan your hike on Vereda do Larano

Full Hike: Porto da Cruz - Machico

Distance: 11 KM (point to point)
Incline: 300M
Duration: 3-4 hours (point to point)
Payment: Free

Suggested Hike: Maiata Beach - Boca do Risco

Distance: 7 KM (point to point)
Incline: 300M
Duration: 3-4 hours (out and back)
Payment: Free

When starting the hike from Porto da Cruz, you can conveniently park your car near Maiata Beach, either in the city or next to the beach stairs. From there, walk up the road until you see stone stairs leading up the hill—this marks the beginning of the hike. The initial section is steep, requiring you to tackle most of the incline in a short distance, and you’ll pass some very steep roads along the way. Alternatively, you can follow the regular road to make the incline less aggressive. After about 700 meters, you’ll start to enjoy some lovely views of the surrounding area.

Mountain landscape with lush green terraced hills, a white house, and cloudy sky in Vereda do Larano on Madeira. A narrow path lines the hillside, evoking tranquility.

At around 1,200 meters, you’ll notice a short set of stone stairs on the right. Climbing these will take you to Levada do Poço do Arvoredo, adding diversity to your hike with stunning views of the other side of the hill. Follow the levada for about 450 meters until it ends. Here, pass the first stairway (which leads to private property) and instead look for another stairway just around the turn, marked with a “Vereda do Risco” sign. After climbing these stairs, follow the road as it starts to flatten out.

A cable car station perched on a lush cliff with an ocean view under cloudy skies on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Path leading to the station; greenery covers the landscape.

At the 2-kilometer mark, you’ll reach the old cable car used to transport tools and crops to the farm fields below. Shortly after, you’ll arrive at a viewpoint offering spectacular views. On clear days, you can even see Porto Santo, another island in Madeira’s archipelago. This spot also marks the trailhead for Vereda do Larano, where you’ll find a small parking area and an information board highlighting nearby hiking options.

A narrow dirt path winds through lush green forest on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Trees with dense foliage arch overhead. Light filters through, creating a serene mood.

The trail is a dirt path and can become muddy and slippery after rain, so exercise caution. Along the way, you’ll encounter spots where landslides or partial trail collapses have occurred—take extra care in these areas. The trail begins with a forested section where you can catch glimpses of Porto da Cruz through the branches.

Hiker with a backpack stands on a coastal trail, gazing at the ocean on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Cliffs and green foliage surround. Overcast sky enhances tranquility.

The real highlight starts around the 4-kilometre mark, where the trail is carved into cliffs over 300 meters above the ocean, offering breathtaking views for about a kilometre.

A coastal path flanked by rocky cliffs and lush greenery overlooks a calm ocean under a partly cloudy sky on Vereda do Larano on Madeira

A person in a blue jacket stands on a cliff edge, overlooking the ocean and rugged coastline on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Overcast sky, lush greenery, calm mood.

While railings are in place along this exposed section, they’re more for mental comfort than full protection. If the exposure feels overwhelming, you can always turn back.

Coastal cliffside path with lush greenery, overlooking a rugged coastline and ocean on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Overcast sky sets a calm, serene mood.

The final 800 meters return to a shaded forest, where dense tree branches create a tunnel-like canopy over the path. The hike concludes with a special treat—Boca do Risco Viewpoint. This stunning spot offers a 180-degree panoramic view of the entire area, making it the perfect place for a rest or picnic.

Person in blue hikes along a narrow dirt path surrounded by dense, twisted trees in a lush forest on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. The mood is peaceful and shaded.

From here, you can either return the same way or continue to Machico. You can also explore the ridge trail along the bike road leading to the peaks—several trails in the area branch out in that direction.

Person in blue jacket stands on cliff, arms outstretched on Vereda do Larano on Madeira. Overlooks vast ocean and lush green mountains. Moody cloudy sky.

Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed hiking Vereda do Larano! Were there any challenges you encountered? What was your favourite part of the hike?

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