Self-Guided Tours


HIKING TRAVEL GUIDE

15 Best Self-Guided Tours

The trails worth the airfare.

The 15 most popular self-guided tours. The trails that draw the most hikers, with the distance, the time on your feet, the cost and who guides them.

15 Best Self-Guided Tours

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Transfer Self-guided Hike - Door-to-door transfer from Funchal and Caniço (and how that saves stress)
Funchal, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Morning, Private Drivers, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Transfer Self-guided Hike

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1.Funchal: Pico do Arieiro Sunrise Transfer Self-guided Hike

Hike Madeira’s highest peaks at sunrise with door-to-door transfer from Funchal or Caniço and clear route instructions.

Most Popular★ 4.9

“It was great! Pickup was right on time and communicated well, we were dropped off right at the viewing point and then it was really easy to find our way to the trails. It might have been good to have a bit more time to enjoy the scenery and have more snack stops on the…”

2,798 reviewsFrom $37by Do it Madeira

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Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Transfer Self-guided Hike - Getting from Funchal to Rabaçal: the shared-van advantage
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Private Drivers, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Transfer Self-guided Hike

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2.Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Transfer Self-guided Hike

Self-guided 25 Fontes and Risco Levada hike from Funchal with transfer, early crowd-avoidance timing, and Laurissilva scenery.

★ 4.8

“Adriana was great- so attentive to everyone on the bus and passed on so much knowledge about the island. Beautiful walk but the government needs to look into putting toilet facilities at the start as after an hour bus journey there was nothing until you got to the cafe. The quality of the food and…”

841 reviewsFrom $38by Do it Madeira

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Caldeirão Verde: Queimadas PR9 Transfer and Self-Guided Hike - Getting there: shared van pickup and timing that matters
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Private Drivers, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Caldeirão Verde: Queimadas PR9 Transfer and Self-Guided Hike

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Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton - Historic Ship Cove: A Quick Stop With Big Context
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Onahau Bay, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

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4.Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton

Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton to Ship Cove, then hike the Queen Charlotte Track section you choose, self-guided, scenic, and wildlife-friendly.

★ 4.8

“Excellent boat trip and good instructions about the walk and pick up points. Really recommend doing this as a way to see the Queen Charlotte Sound and learn about the area. The walk itself was lovely - especially as we had amazing weather and great views of the turquoise water through the trees. Not to…”

383 reviews8.5 hoursFrom $66by Beachcomber Cruises

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PR1 Sunrise Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer - The “get ready the day before” routine that actually matters
Funchal, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Morning, Private Drivers, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

PR1 Sunrise Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

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Self Guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall - Tantalus Lookout: the panoramic payoff over Diamond Head and Waikiki
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Honolulu, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Waterfall Hikes

Self guided Hike Trail to Nature Walk & Waterfall

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Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu - What you get for $46.54: value you can feel
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Rotorua, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Volcano Hikes, Walking Tours

Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walking and Hiking at Waimangu

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Haleakala Summit Best Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui - Your Bike and Safety Setup: What You Get (and What You Still Control)
Cycling Tours, Guided, Hawaii Trails, Maui, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Haleakala Summit Best Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui

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8.Haleakala Summit Best Self-Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui

Ride Haleakalā downhill on custom Kona bikes from the summit area, guided on the way up, then self-paced through Makawao and Haiku.

★ 4.5

“We ended up changing to the guided tour, and we’re glad we did. If you have never done this, I recommend biking with a guide. The guide was able to help us safely navigate the roads and we had a great time!”

107 reviews7 hours (approx.)From $238.59by Bike Maui AND Haleakala EcoTours

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PR6 & PR6.1 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Self-Guided Hiking Rabaçal - Pickup and Transfer: The Part That Saves Your Energy Before You Ever Start
Funchal, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

PR6 & PR6.1 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Self-Guided Hiking Rabaçal

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9.PR6 & PR6.1 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Self-Guided Hiking Rabaçal

Self-guided PR6 and PR6.1 hike from Rabaçal with pickup from Funchal, a map briefing, and big waterfall-and-levada views.

★ 5.0

“Adrianna gave us a good briefing for our hike. She was really friendly and gave us lots of information about life in Madeira, lots of local info, I learned a lot as well as had a good hike. The 6am start is worth it even just to avoid the crowds and the heat. Flashlight is…”

80 reviews8 hours (approx.)From $41.03by Do It Madeira

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Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self-Guided Hike in Madeira - The 5-hour Caldeirão Verde route: UNESCO forest, levadas, tunnels, waterfalls
Funchal, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self-Guided Hike in Madeira

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10.Levada do Caldeirão Verde Self-Guided Hike in Madeira

Self-guided Caldeirão Verde levada hike in Madeira with shuttle from Funchal. Tunnel views, waterfall payoff, WiFi, small group, 4.5€ entry.

★ 5.0

“The drive to the start of the walk through tight narrow roads was an experience in itself, but our driver Vitor got us there safely. The views on the walk were stunning, as was the waterfall at the end. The walk was fairly easy, but some rough ground and narrow walkways with shear drops one…”

62 reviews6 hours (approx.)From $48.27by Levadas In and Out

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Summit Eiffel Tower Audio Guide Tour with Unlimited Time Access - From gate to elevator: how access to the 2nd floor and summit plays out
Guided, Paris, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Summit Eiffel Tower Audio Guide Tour with Unlimited Time Access

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Black Forest: Ravenna Gorge Hike, Self-Guided - Ravenna Gorge: streams, waterfalls, and that classic Black Forest mood
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Black Forest: Ravenna Gorge Hike, Self-Guided

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PR9 Caldeirão Verde Queimadas Levada Self-Guided Hiking Transfer - The Caldeirão Verde levada hike: how the walking actually fits together
Funchal, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Private Drivers, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

PR9 Caldeirão Verde Queimadas Levada Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

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14.PR9 Caldeirão Verde Queimadas Levada Self-Guided Hiking Transfer

Self-guided Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike with round-trip transfer from Funchal and neighboring towns, plus Laurissilva forest and waterfall views.

★ 4.5

“Diogo was a fantastic driver and had an excellent playlist throughout the drive. The hike was quite easy and the views of the waterfall at the end were breathtaking. I feel the time allotted for the hike was at least an hour too long as all our group was at the meeting point at least…”

28 reviews8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)From $39.76by Do It Madeira

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PR1 Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer (Morning slot) - Stairway to Heaven (PR1) From Pico do Arieiro: steps, altitude, and crowds
Funchal, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Madeira Levada & Peak Hikes, Morning, Private Drivers, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

PR1 Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer (Morning slot)

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15.PR1 Pico do Arieiro Self-Guided Hiking Transfer (Morning slot)

Self-guided Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo-style hike with included transfers, weather tips, and an easy downhill finish at Funchal Ecological Park.

★ 5.0

“Felipe was an excellent driver and host, very knowledgeable and friendly. Unfortunately the cloudy and rainy weather meant the hike was disappointing, but it means I will have to come back and do it again to get the amazing views!”

27 reviews8 hours (approx.)From $38.55by Do It Madeira

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