Expert
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 37.1 km / 23.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 816 m
- Typical duration
- 9 hr 37 min
- Coastal
- Waymarked route
Hard Hiking Trails in Portugal
There are 21 hikes in Portugal in our database that fit. They average 25.0 km and 550 m (1,804 ft) of ascent.
That is 22 percent of the 96 routes we map in Portugal. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 25.0 km against 9.8 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 550 m (1,804 ft) on average versus 216 m (709 ft) across the wider area.
Hard routes mean sustained ascent, long descents and a real need to watch the clock and the forecast. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.
Trails
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 20.5 km / 12.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 451 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 7 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 23.8 km / 14.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 524 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 1 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 16.7 km / 10.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 367 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 4 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 20.7 km / 12.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 456 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 10 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 24.3 km / 15.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 535 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 9 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 17.4 km / 10.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 382 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 15 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 20.8 km / 12.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 457 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 11 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 16.4 km / 10.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 361 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 24.2 km / 15.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 532 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 7 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 20.3 km / 12.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 447 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 4 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 19.8 km / 12.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 435 m
- Typical duration
- 4 hr 55 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Azores · Portugal
- Distance
- 30.8 km / 19.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 678 m
- Typical duration
- 7 hr 55 min
- Waymarked route
Expert
Hard
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 21.8 km / 13.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 480 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 28 min
Expert
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 34.3 km / 21.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 755 m
- Typical duration
- 8 hr 52 min
Hard
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 24.1 km / 15.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 531 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 6 min
Expert
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 40.3 km / 25.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 886 m
- Typical duration
- 10 hr
Hard
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 16.3 km / 10.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 358 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 58 min
Hard
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 29.3 km / 18.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 644 m
- Typical duration
- 7 hr 30 min
Hard
Madeira · Portugal
- Distance
- 27.6 km / 17.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 607 m
- Typical duration
- 7 hr 2 min
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GR01FAI Faial from Coast to CoastAzores | 37.1 km | 816 m | 9 hr 37 min | Expert | October to May |
| GR01FLO Great Route Flores (Stage 1)Azores | 20.5 km | 451 m | 5 hr 7 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01FLO Great Route Flores (Stage 2)Azores | 23.8 km | 524 m | 6 hr 1 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01GRA Graciosa Great Route (Stage 1)Azores | 16.7 km | 367 m | 4 hr 4 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01GRA Graciosa Great Route (Stage 2)Azores | 20.7 km | 456 m | 5 hr 10 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01SJO Grande Rota de São Jorge (Etapa 1)Azores | 24.3 km | 535 m | 6 hr 9 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01SMA Great Route of Santa Maria (Stage 1)Azores | 17.4 km | 382 m | 4 hr 15 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01SMA Great Route of Santa Maria (Stage 2)Azores | 20.8 km | 457 m | 5 hr 11 min | Hard | October to May |
| GR01SMA Great Route of Santa Maria (Stage 3)Azores | 16.4 km | 361 m | 4 hr | Hard | October to May |
| GR01SMA Great Route of Santa Maria (Stage 4)Azores | 24.2 km | 532 m | 6 hr 7 min | Hard | October to May |
If you only have time for one, start with GR01FAI Faial from Coast to Coast, GR01SMA Great Route of Santa Maria (Stage 3), GR01TER West Great Route (Stage 1). Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km in Portugal64
- Hiking Trails Under 10 km in Madeira60
- Easy Hiking Trails in Portugal46
- Family-Friendly Hikes in Portugal46
- Easy Hiking Trails in Madeira43
- Family-Friendly Hikes in Madeira43
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km in Portugal42
- Hiking Trails Under 5 km in Madeira39
- Moderate Hiking Trails in Portugal29
- Moderate Hiking Trails in Madeira27
- Hard Hiking Trails in Azores13
- Hiking Trails Over 20 km in Azores9
- Best Mountain Hikes in Madeira9
- Best Summit Hikes in Madeira8
- Hard Hiking Trails in Madeira8
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