Skip to content

Hiking Trails Under 5 km in Portugal

There are 42 hikes in Portugal in our database that fit. They average 2.6 km and 58 m (190 ft) of ascent.

That is 44 percent of the 96 routes we map in Portugal. They are shorter than the local average, 2.6 km against 9.8 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 58 m (190 ft) against 216 m (709 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Short routes for a spare couple of hours, an evening walk, or a day when the weather only gives you a window. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

PR 1.2 - Vereda do Pico Ruivo

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
60 m
Typical duration
40 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Montanha do Pico

Azores · Portugal

Distance
4.2 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
93 m
Typical duration
1 hr 1 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Easy

PR 13.1

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

PR 21 - Caminho do Norte

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
64 m
Typical duration
42 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

PR 23 - Levada da Azenha

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
20 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

PR 4 - Levada do Barreiro

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
108 m
Typical duration
1 hr 11 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

PR 6.1 - Levada do Risco

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
68 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Bridges trail

Azores · Portugal

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
10 m
Typical duration
7 min
Easy

Caminho da Degolada

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
16 min
Easy

Levada das Rabaças

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
63 m
Typical duration
42 min
Easy

Levada do Blandy

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
Easy

Levada do Caniço

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
91 m
Typical duration
1 hr
Easy

Levada do Moinho

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
4.0 km
/ 2.5 mi
Elevation gain
88 m
Typical duration
58 min
Easy

Levada dos Pombais

Madeira · Portugal

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
44 m
Typical duration
29 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
PR 2 - Vereda do Pico do Castelo (East)Madeira3.9 km86 m56 minEasyOctober to May
PR 2 - Vereda do Pico do Castelo (West)Madeira2.6 km57 m37 minEasyOctober to May
PR 3 - Levada do Pico do CasteloMadeira4.4 km96 m1 hr 3 minEasyOctober to May
PR 1.2 - Vereda do Pico RuivoMadeira2.7 km60 m40 minEasyOctober to May
PR 6.5 - Vereda do Pico FernandesMadeira3.3 km73 m48 minEasyOctober to May
PR1 - Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra ChãMadeira2.7 km59 m39 minEasyOctober to May
PR 3.1 - Caminho Real do MonteMadeira4.0 km88 m58 minEasyOctober to May
Montanha do PicoAzores4.2 km93 m1 hr 1 minEasyOctober to May
PR 6.3 - Vereda da Lagoa do VentoMadeira1.6 km36 m24 minEasyOctober to May
PR 15 - Vereda da Ribeira da JanelaMadeira2.4 km53 m35 minEasyOctober to May

If you only have time for one, start with PR 3 - Levada do Pico do Castelo, PR 2 - Vereda do Pico do Castelo (East), PR 2 - Vereda do Pico do Castelo (West). 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.

People also search for