Walking the Island of Madeira

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.