Walking the Island of Madeira

BM-41059

4.7Based on

8 days

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“

This holiday provided straightforward walking in exceptional and sometimes unusual scenery in great company and with an experienced and characterful guide. It was exactly what we were looking for in a short break from the British winter. The accommodation was excellent and the whole trip was well organised, and good value. Everyone involved that we met (eg hotel staff, transfer vehicle drivers etc) were without exception helpful and friendly. We found the holiday relaxing and rewarding.

Anonymous | Traveled in January

5 - Excellent

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

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

Starts

Ends

Madeira, Portugal

Funchal, Portugal

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Highlights

Walk through the botanical paradise of Madeira, taking the most scenic trails on the island

Stroll alongside flower-lined levadas with stunning views over the Atlantic

Marvel at spectacular mountain scenery, including Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest peak

Watch sunrise from Pico Arieiro, one of the highest mountains on the island

Uncover the cultural side of Madeira with an exploration of the capital, Funchal

Hike through the mystical Fanal Forest, where twisted trees create a fairytale setting

Itinerary

Madeira’s wild beauty beckons walkers with the "Walking the Island of Madeira" tour—a moderate, eight-day trekking and hiking adventure for experienced travelers. Discover this Portuguese island’s most breathtaking routes, from gentle flower-lined levadas and dramatic coastal paths to the rugged peaks of its mountainous interior.

Relax by the sea in Machico village, witness the Atlantic’s power in Porto Moniz, and wander Funchal’s historic lanes, once central to the sugar and wine trade. Four-star accommodations provide comfort after exhilarating days on the trail.

The unique selling point is the diversity of landscapes and walking experiences—offering both relaxation and challenge, all in a destination celebrated as a European paradise for hikers.

day 1Adventure starts in Santa Cruz

Begin your adventure in Santa Cruz, a coastal town on Madeira’s east side known for its long seafaring history and proximity to the island’s volcanic shoreline.
Around 6pm, say olá to your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour nights through your sales representative.
Your tour leader then ensures a warm Madeiran welcome by arranging a group dinner.

Meals

Dinner

day 2Walk to Ponta de São Lourenço, a rocky peninsula with ocean views for miles

day 3Spectacular walk along the north coast path to the village of Porto da Cruz

day 4Hike levada trails from Lamaceiros

day 5Hike through the mystical Fanal Forest

day 6To Funchal • Free day to explore the city or join an optional whale-watching excursion

day 7Summit Pico Arieiro for sunrise • To the top of Pico Ruivo

day 8Adventure ends in Funchal

What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation: 5 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels)

Meals

All breakfasts and three dinners

Transport

Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activitiesArrival and departure transfers

Guide

Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

4.7

based on 27 reviews

Availability

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Good to Know

Travel Insurance

Visa

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Why Book with Bookmundi

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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

4.67/5

Excellent based on 846 customer reviews from

Anonymous

Guillia put a great self-drive tour together for us and Susana looked after us as we travelled. (Even when we got lost) The car and accommodation was good and the guides patient and informative. Only issue we had was parking in small villages, garages, and cities. Apart from the parking we had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, thank you.

3 weeks ago

Keep Exploring Portugal

AnonymousVerified Traveler

5.0 | Excellent

Jun 18, 2026

A spectacular week of coastal walks and unforgettable views

As an Exodus staff member, I had high expectations for this trip – and it exceeded them in every way. Walking the Island of Madeira offers a fantastic mix of dramatic coastal trails, lush levada paths, and panoramic mountain scenery. The itinerary is well-paced, with each day showcasing a different side of the island, from rugged cliffs to tranquil forests. Accommodation, transport, and organisation throughout were seamless, making it easy to focus on enjoying the experience.

Jun 18, 2026

AnonymousVerified Traveler

5.0 | Excellent

May 25, 2026

MAGICAL MYSTICAL MADEIRA!

This was a great introduction to marvelous Madeira, the Hawaii of the Atlantic. The five walks covered the stunning variety of Madeira's landscapes; the spectacular coastal scenery of Pont Sao Lorenco and the North Coastal Path, the mystical Fanal Forest, an intimate Levada, and the incomparable Pico to Pico (recently reopened after a 2year closure). All but the Levada walk were MUST DOs. There are more iconic Levada walks (the 25 fountains or PR17), but they have become incredibly crowded due to the popularity of Madeira, and don't have the access controls of the other trails. The beauty of the Exodus guided trip was knowing that all permits and transport needs were taken care of, and we were properly prepared for each day's adventure! Accommodations were comfortable, and in the case of Aqua Bay Natura in Porto Moniz - SUPERB! We all had ocean view rooms with a balcony overlooking the lava pools. Access to the lava pools was free and the hotel provides robes and towels! The free day in Funchal was perfect for taking the cable car to Monte Palace and descending on the famous toboggans. Madeira is a walker's paradise, and Exodus has curated an excellent itinerary allowing you to enjoy it stress free.

May 25, 2026

AnonymousVerified Traveler

5.0 | Excellent

Mar 15, 2026

Scenic and peaceful Madeira

Walking the Island of Madeira was our first hiking tour and it was a delight! The five hikes were wonderfully varied, taking place on different parts of the island. From soaring cliffs, surf pounding jagged rocks, lush green forest and farms, charming towns - this series of walks had it all. We went in late February/early March, knowing the weather could be a bit unpredictable and it was. We got rained on, the "official" trails were closed by the government due to high winds one day, and a freak snowfall made the final hike atop Pico Arieiro impossible. But through it all, our guide Paulo proved unflappable. He rolled with the conditions, adapted, and came up with new routes that continually showcased the charm and beauty of his home island. We loved the exposure to the off-the-beaten-path small towns and local coffee shops and pubs where the locals go. Everything was quite affordable (two pints for $3.90 Euros in one neighbourhood cafe). This was less the case, though, in the capital of Funchal which has some very touristy areas with cruise ships docking. Overall, this was a relaxing, fascinating week on this hidden gem of an island.

Mar 15, 2026

AnonymousVerified Traveler

5.0 | Excellent

Nov 25, 2025

Walking the best parts of Madeira!

We have had this trip on our radar for a few years but had been put off by poor reviews of both the leader & some of the hotels but we decided to take the plunge & finally book it & we were so glad that we did! We were blessed with having a great group who bonded well together & having Paulo as our leader which made for a fantastic holiday! The walks were all different, from rugged coastal walks to Levadas & magical forests which gave us a true taste of Madeira. Paulo took us to local villages to experience the culture & learn about the history of the island. The hotels were all different in style;- The Dom Pedro is very dated & despite paying for an upgrade, our room was not very nice! The Pestana Casino Studios we liked for their quirky decoration & big rooms although others in our group found them too noisy! For us, the Aqua Natura Hotel was amazing from the fantastic oceon views, the natural salt water pools & lovely food! We felt that the whole holiday was well planned, taken at a relaxed place & tailored to everybodies needs; the trip exceeded our expectations!

Nov 25, 2025

AnonymousVerified Traveler

5.0 | Excellent

Nov 13, 2025

Spectacular

What an excellent trip! The hikes varied in terrain and vistas, from coastal walks to levadas to mystical forests to mountain tops, but all were spectacular and each day was as good as or better than the one before. Paulo was a wonderful guide, knowledgeable about the island, its history, culture, flora and fauna. We were fortunate to have very good weather, and even more fortunate to have a group that gelled beautifully. Not only did everyone get along well, but everyone was fit and hiked at a similar pace. (We understand from other reviews that that's not always the case.) First hotel in Machico was pretty dated, but good location and breakfast. The hotel at Porto Moniz was the best of the trip, modern, well-equipped, great food - and right across the road from volcanic pools. Very scenic. The hotel in Funchal was fine and in a great location.

Nov 13, 2025

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