Madeira Island Walking

4.8Based on

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

20 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Funchal, Portugal

Ends

Funchal, Portugal

Highlights

Mild temperatures & year-round walking opportunities, even in the heart of winter

Walk along Madeira's unique ‘levadas’ system – the only place in the world

Treat yourself to a mix of 4* and smaller traditional properties in beautiful surroundings

Take in the dramatic mountains, deep valleys and rugged Atlantic coastline

Summit Pico Ruivo (1862m) - Madeira's highest peak

Admire the exotic and tropical flora

Choice in walks on several days

Admire the exotic and tropical flora

Choice in walks on several days

Itinerary

Madeira’s dramatic peaks and lush valleys await on the "Madeira Island Walking" tour, an eight-day self-guided adventure tailored for experienced travelers and seniors with a passion for moderate walking. Trace the famed levadas, traverse terraced hillsides, and reach the island’s pinnacle at Pico Ruivo. Stay in a blend of 4-star hotels and traditional lodgings, and enjoy detailed route notes to enrich your journey. With its year-round mild climate, volcanic beauty, and intricate irrigation channels, Madeira is a paradise for walkers. The unique selling point is the unparalleled walking access to the island’s hidden gems, plus the flexibility to extend your stay for more exploration. Accommodation, transport, and meals are included for a worry-free hiking holiday.

day 1 - Arrive Madeira

On arrival at Funchal airport, a short taxi transfer is included to Machico on the east coast.

Machico was the landing point when the island was discovered. This peculiar corner of the island boasts the oldest church, the 'Capela dos Milagres', and two forts still bear witness of the locals’ defence against the many pirate attacks on the village.

Accommodation:Stay two nights at one of two small ‘residencial’ (pension). All rooms have private facilities. The pensions have their own restaurant, where you can enjoy the evening meals. There are also good other places to eat.

day 2 - Machico

After breakfast you have a choice of two walks.

Option 1: This is for walkers with a head for heights and in reasonable weather without high winds. Taxi or walk to the start of the Levada de Canical, which you will soon leave to climb to the Boca de Risco pass (300m). From there a cliff hugging coastal path takes you along the wildest stretch of coastline in Madeira, round the Espigao Amarelo, an exposed path with large drop below and down to Larano (200m). From Larano walk down road to Porto da Cruz and transfer by road (included in tour price) back to Machico.

Option 2: A shorter option that can be done in adverse weather. Taxi or walk to the start of the Levada de Canical. You can follow this to its source near Ribeira de Machico/Marocos and transfer (included) back to your hotel in Machico in the afternoon. This levada was built in relatively recent times and is easy to follow.

Both walks can be extended by 4.4km, 1.5 hours and over 300 metres of ascent by walking from Machico up to the viewpoint of Pico de Facho (322m) and then down to the start of the levada (irrigation channel) by the Canical Tunnel.

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - Machico to Santo da Serra via Sao Lourenco peninsula 9.12km /5.7 miles, 3.5h

A circular coastal walk around the Sao Lourenco peninsula, on the eastern point of Madeira island. This is different to any other walk during your week in Madeira, taking a trek through the volcanic remains, which are now a nature reserve. There are spectacular cliff views and wonderful flowers.

Accommodation:Overnight in Santo da Serra, a village situated on a broad ridge at 650m above sea level. Two nights in a charming hotel, located near the village centre. All rooms have en-suite facilities. The hotel has its own restaurant and an attractive large garden.*Today's walk includes transfers to the start and from the end.

Meals:Breakfast

day 4 - Santo da Serra

Transfer to Monte (included), at 550m high in the hills above Funchal. You have time to visit the tropical gardens and palace, and even take the wicker sledge ride down the road a couple of km. However, today's walk is one of those Madieran classics, starting at the top station of the cable car that comes up from Funchal. This is at the northeast corner of the Tropical Garden. You will follow the Levada dos Tornos and then climb up the hillside to follow the Levada da Serra. This levada contours at a higher level (about 750m) around the head of the ‘Valley of Paradise’. You reach Camacha (700m), from where you will be transferred back to Santo da Serra.

Meals:Breakfast

day 5 - Walk Santo da Serra to Ribeiro Frio, transfer to Santana 13.5 km /8.4 miles, 5-6h

Today you follow the Levada do Furado up into the wild, forested hills of the Madeira Natural Park. With magnificent views at a number of points, the levada threads its way along the hillsides covered with Laurisilva vegetation and the water is very pure. Today’s levada is a whole lot more dramatic and challenging than anything on the previous walks; with narrower paths and uneven going underfoot. At Ribeiro Frio (Cold Stream, 850m above the sea) you are met and transferred to Santana, a village set, 400m/1300 feet above the north coast (transfer included in tour price). Overnight in Santana. This village, perched on a shelf high above the north coast, is known for its traditional architecture.You will be driven to Santana this afternoon for the next part of your holiday.

Accommodation:Stay at a 4* pension. Rooms have hair dryer, cable TV, double-glazing and balcony, with views over the fields and countryside. General facilities include a small indoor pool, sauna etc. The hotel has a popular restaurant and offers traditional island fayre.*Request with us an extra day & night in Santana in order to walk the levada from Queimadas to Ilha via Caldeirao Verde, another beautiful walk!

Meals:Breakfast

day 6 - Achada do Teixeira to Ilha via Pico Ruivo (overnight Encumeada) 11 km /10 miles, 5h

Time to head up into the high mountains for a spectacular walk along the highest ridge in the centre of the island. The walk starts with a road transfer (included) up to Achado do Teixeira (1592m), from where it is about an hours walk to the Pico Ruivo Shelter House (1700m), near the highest summit in Madeira. There are more ‘downs’ than ‘ups’ and you eventually descend to Ilha from where you will be transferred to your hotel in Encumeada. This is challenging descent and only suitable for those that are in excellent fitness (we give this walk a Grade 4).

Accommodation:Our mountain pension is a welcoming destination after a long day in the hills. All rooms have en-suite facilities, balcony with mountain or valley views, TV, and phone. The public lounge has a fireplace. The restaurant and bar are in traditional rustic style. There is an outside drinks terrace. The natural setting of the hotel among the forest and peaks is quite outstanding.*Today's route does need reasonable weather conditions and an excellent level of fitness. If the weather outlook is poor, the path is closed, or you feel this is not for you, you can ride with your baggage from Santana to Encumeada for an alternative walk, to Ginjas (13 km/8 miles, 3.5 h bus or taxi back to Encumeada not included).**Please note that since the wildfires of August 2024 the path between Casa Pico Ruivo and Encumeada is unaccessible. Until the paths have been restored and the trail officially has reopened, you can still access the Pico Ruivo Shelter House, after which you descend to Ilha instead.

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

day 7 - Boa Morte to Cabo Girao (bus to Funchal) 12 km /7 miles, 4 hrs

Today you will be transferred from Encumeada to Boa Morte and the Levada do Norte as it contours around the mountainside, crossing two tiny farmlng areas (Campanário and Quinta Grande) to finish at the amazing viewpoint of Cabo Girão,

Accommodation:We use a 4-star hotel which is located from the centre of Funchal. The hotel has fully equipped rooms, with TV. It also has a good restaurant, swimming pools, a small fitness room, etc.

Meals:Breakfast

day 8 - Arrangements end after breakfast

After breakfast, a transfer to the airport is included in your trip price and takes approx. 30 minutes.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

4 nights accommodation in pensions & guesthouses and 3 nights in hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilitiesTransfer from Funchal airport to first accommodation and from last accommodation back to Funchal airport

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Vehicle transfers day 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Others

Luggage transferDigital information pack including Navigational App, maps and route notesEmergency hotlineGPX files can be supplied upon request

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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4.8

based on 16 reviews

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