THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Access Madeira’s iconic PR1 and PR1.2 hiking trails with Levadas In & Out’s shuttle from Santana to Achada do Teixeira. Conquer Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro hassle-free and at your own pace.
Access Madeira’s iconic PR1 and PR1.2 hiking trails with Levadas In & Out’s shuttle from Santana to Achada do Teixeira. Conquer Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro hassle-free and at your own pace.
Book with Levadas In & Out
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Levadas In & Out · Santana, Madeira
Madeira’s rugged mountain heart beats strongest along the PR1 and PR1.2 trails connecting Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro—the island’s two highest peaks. Levadas In & Out unlocks these iconic hikes with a streamlined shuttle service from Santana to Achada do Teixeira, the starting point for these trails. This transfer service delivers mountain seekers directly to the highlands, allowing them to focus solely on the challenge ahead while bypassing the usual logistics.
Santana, the northern gateway on Madeira, is a town known for its traditional thatched houses and verdant surroundings. From here, Levadas In & Out ferries you up to Achada do Teixeira, from where two distinct routes unfold. The PR1 trail is a demanding traverse between Pico Ruivo, Madeira’s highest point at 1,862 meters, and Pico do Areeiro, standing at 1,818 meters. This path cuts through dramatic geology: jagged ridgelines, steep cliffs, and vibrant flora unique to these altitudes—including the endemic heather and laurel trees that thrive in this Atlantic volcanic climate.
For those seeking a shorter but equally scenic journey, the PR1.2 offers a circular trek around Achada do Teixeira, winding through lush forested slopes and vantage points with sweeping views over valleys carved by volcanic activity. Both routes reward walkers with unparalleled panoramas of Madeira’s jagged coastline, cloud-covered peaks, and deep ravines.
The shuttle package includes a hassle-free return from Pico do Areeiro to Santana, meaning hikers can relax after a full day on the trails without worrying about transport. With a friendly local driver and complimentary Wi-Fi onboard, Levadas In & Out combines adventure with comfort and convenience.
This service sets itself apart in Madeira’s active tourism scene by making high-altitude hiking more accessible to visitors who want to immerse themselves in nature without the stress of complicated travel arrangements. For anyone eager to step onto some of Madeira’s most thrilling mountain terrain, this shuttle is an essential starting point.
challenging.
4 to 7 hours.
Good physical condition required; trails are steep and rocky with significant elevation changes.
The transfer departure time is set during booking; confirm your pick-up to align with your hiking plans.
The PR1 trail takes approximately 6 to 7 hours depending on pace; the PR1.2 circular route is shorter, about 3 to 4 hours.
PR1 is challenging and best suited for fit hikers with some mountain experience; PR1.2 is moderately difficult and accessible to most hikers in good health.
These are self-guided hikes. While solo hiking is permitted, adequate preparation, navigation skills, and safety awareness are recommended.
Yes, Levadas In & Out includes both the Santana to Achada do Teixeira shuttle and the return pick-up from Pico do Areeiro.
Children under 12 years old or shorter than 1.35 meters cannot use the transfer service or undertake the hikes due to safety regulations.
Madeira’s levada system dates to the 16th century, originally constructed to irrigate agricultural terraces; PR1 trails now highlight this engineering interwoven with natural landscapes.
Hiking in protected areas like Madeira’s Laurisilva Forest requires staying on marked paths to preserve endemic species and fragile ecosystems.
Levadas In & Out is a transport and shuttle service based in Machico, Madeira that specializes in transfers for self-guided hikes and levada walks. The company provides one-way and return transfers to Madeira’s most visited trails, including Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9), Levada do Rei (PR18), Rabaçal 25 Fontes and Risco (PR6), and the mountain routes to Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo (PR1 and PR1.2). Local drivers assist hikers traveling from Funchal, Santana, Porto da Cruz, Achada do Teixeira and Machico. Services include shuttle rides, full-day bus tickets from Santana, and specific transfers such as from Porto da Cruz or Machico to Pico Ruivo and from Pico do Areeiro to Achada do Teixeira. Vehicles offer comfortable transport and select amenities noted in trip descriptions, including onboard Wi‑Fi. Transfers are designed to let hikers explore at their own pace on self-guided trails; routes cover coastal cliffs, volcanic headlands, mountain ridges and laurel forest levadas. Levadas In & Out focuses on reliable logistics with scheduled pickups and drop-offs, driver guidance for access points, and straightforward return options. The provider supports shared and sustainable transport choices for popular trailheads, making remote trails more accessible without private navigation. Booking options connect urban centers and smaller towns to natural highlights across Madeira. For independent hikers seeking focused transfer services, Levadas In & Out offers practical, local transport solutions that simplify access to the island’s signature levadas and peaks. Reservations and schedule details are available through The Adventure Collective site.
Book with Levadas In & Out