There is no GR1 in Madeira (yet): how to build your own multi-day route

The FCMP register (Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal) does contain a trail numbered GR1: Travessia das Serras da Peneda e Soajo, but it lies in mainland Portugal. Madeira has a separate classification system run by the IFCN, and no Madeiran GR appears in the register.

The regional law DLR 24/2022/M distinguishes the categories: PR trails are up to 30 km (up to one day), while GR trails are over 30 km and may consist of several PR trails. The GR category therefore exists in law, but by July 2026 no trail had been classified in it.

Event names add to the confusion: MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail) is a mountain race, and Trans Madeira is a multi-day MTB enduro race (about 220 km). The name Madeira Trail Ultra does not exist.

On 18 October 2022 the regional government (secretary Susana Prada, reported by RTP Madeira) announced the first GR: 93 km from Porto Moniz to Machico through every municipality on the island, about 60% on existing PR trails and about 40% new connectors, for 3 to 4 days of walking. The sustainable destination plan 2022 - 2030 (action G50_227) budgeted €399,580.50, with the IFCN responsible.

The PRODERAM application was approved on 29 August 2022, works started on 13 May 2024, and completion was set for 31 March 2025 (100% EAFRD funding, per the IFCN page, as of 16.12.2024). Scope: clearings, steps, railings and waymarking. In September 2024 the links between PR 14 and PR 13 (Levada dos Cedros - Vereda do Fanal) and from PR 6.5 via Estanquinhos to Bica da Cana were reported under construction; part of the works was suspended after the great fire of August 2024 (over 5,045 ha according to the Lusa agency, indicative).

After 31 March 2025 no announcement about opening or classifying the route was published. As of July 2026 the trail does not exist as a classified GR, although the infrastructure is largely ready. GR waymarking is to be white and red (a 2022 press mention, indicative).

The principle is simple: keep the west - east axis and link classified PR trails like beads, handling the formalities per trail. The announced 93 km in 3 to 4 days is a strong pace; realistically plan 3 to 6 days, depending on fitness and how many variants you add. The two connectors from the GR project (PR 14 with PR 13, and PR 6.5 to Bica da Cana) shorten the hardest jumps.

An unofficial example, treat it as inspiration rather than a recommendation: the Wikiloc site describes a Travessia total da Madeira em autonomia route of 120 km in 6 stages with 9,141 m of ascent, laid out along the MIUT 2018 course (data from the Wikiloc site, indicative).

Camping in public forests is allowed only in designated ZONAS DE ACAMPAMENTO (map on the IFCN site). You issue the permit via SIMplifica: €5.00 per tent per night, with residents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira exempt. Open fires, picking plants and feeding animals are banned, and keep the document on you for the Polícia Florestal. An offence risks a fine and removal (we do not confirm the amounts). On the Ponta de São Lourenço peninsula you may pitch a tent only at Cais do Sardinha (€5.00, supervised by the Vigilantes da Natureza).

There are also 6 Casas de Abrigo shelters bookable via SIMplifica: Rocha do Navio (Santana, max 8 people, kitchen and WC, bring gas and bedding), Cedro - Montado do Pereiro (Camacha, max 8 people) and Sorveiras (Monte, 1,530 m, max 4 people, €25.00 per night, max 3 consecutive nights, once a year, 18+, no electricity or drinking water; the IFCN page currently marks it as Temporariamente indisponível). The remaining three: Casa do Pico das Pedras, Casa do Lombo do Mouro and Casa anexa do Lombo do Mouro. Status and rules per the IFCN on 16.02.2026.

SIMplifica bookings and fees apply on a multi-day route too, separately for each trail and day: the standard rate is €4.50, and PR 1 costs €10.50 (as of July 2026). You pick a 30-minute slot for every paid section, so match your stage plan to the booking times.

The ARRAM 2023 report (Proteção Civil, based on IPMA data) gives the mountains an annual average of 10.3 °C against 20.2 °C in Funchal and about 3,000 mm of rain a year (the 1961 - 1990 normal); in 2000 - 2021 the totals fell to about 2,066 - 2,300 mm. Fog is a daily reality: about 230 days a year at Bica da Cana and about 235 days at Pico do Areeiro, with documented cases of hikers losing orientation. Gusts exceed 100 km/h several times a year, and the storm scenario counts over 150 km/h.

The best windows for a multi-day route are spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October): this is our editorial conclusion from the IPMA data above, not an official recommendation. In winter, expect temporary trail closures after warnings.

If you are interested in the crossing as a run: MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail) is a 115 km race with about 7,100 to 7,200 m of ascent, from Porto Moniz to Machico via Pico Ruivo (1,861 m) and Pico do Areeiro, largely along PR trails. It has been organised by the Clube de Montanha do Funchal since 2008; the 17th edition took place on 25 and 26.04.2026, and the event site already advertises the 18th edition for 24 and 25.04.2027. The companion distances are about 85, 56 to 60, 40 to 42 and 16 km, and the series belongs to the World Trail Majors.