8 Day Walking In Madeira

We start at our hotel in Machico which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay and is close to the picturesque historic fishing village.

Please note that for departures in January and February 2022, the start hotel will be located in Santa Cruz (while renovations are taking place in our usual hotel in Machico)

Today we walk the classic route along the Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Although challenging, this path takes us through some fantastic scenery as we admire wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist this windy environment and manage to grow in soils with high levels of salinity. Rocks, sculptured by nature, have a great diversity of colours ranging from black to red, and are in stark contrast to the blue of the ocean. Madeira's Nature Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha. We return to Machico for the night.

Walking time approx 3h30 (Elevation +170m, -270m)

Total distance approx 8 km

This morning we will walk a scenic route along a cliff trail, up to the north coast. We set off along the little Levada do Caniçal, more modest and quieter than yesterday's, then begin a gradual climb up to the crest of the cliffs at Boca do Risco where we enjoy some amazing views along the north coast and may even be able to see the nearby island of Porto Santo. We then head west along the coastal path, a spectacular route in many places cut right into the cliff. We finally descend to the small town of Porto da Cruz, once a bustling port but now a sleepy little town. Later, we transfer to Santana for the night.

Walking time approx 4h30 (Elevation +200m, –350m)

Total distance approx 12 km

From Santana we take a short transfer (stopping to admire the famous thatched roof houses) to Queimadas natural park where we will walk along the Levada do Caldeirao Verde. We finish this walk at the isolated village of Ilha before returning to Santana for the night.

Walking time approx 5h (Elevation +90m, –500m)

Total distance approx 12 km

Today we make the most strenuous walk of the trip. Starting with an early departure to see the sunrise at Achada do Teixeira, we ascend the island's highest mountain, Pico Ruivo (1862m). Our descent follows a spectacular ridge via Torrinhas Pass and over the saddle of Pico do Jorge to Encumeada. As we descend, bees buzz in 'Lily of the Valley' trees and the smell of wild thyme fills the air. After a long day in the hills, we arrive via a long series of stone steps at Encumeada. Transfer to historic Funchal, our base for the last three nights of the trip.

Walking time approx 7h30 (Elevation +650m, –1200m)

Total distance approx 16 km

The Levada do Norte is one of the largest and most important levadas on Madeira and runs through much of the region. We walk a magnificent stretch beginning at Eira do Mourão in Ribeira Brava and ending at Cabo Girão. At an altitude of 580m, the clifftop viewpoint here is hugely popular for visitors.

Indeed most of the route offers wonderful views over the lush landscape of Quinta Grande, Campanario and Câmara de Lobos, from the locals working the land to the precious flora and fauna that make this island so memorable.



Total walking time 3.5h (Elevation +400m, –650m)

Our last day is free for you to explore Funchal, the Madeira archipelago's capital. The city is easily explored on foot and the must-see sights include the Sé Cathedral which was built between 1493 and 1514, and the magnificent statue of the man who discovered Madeira, Joao Goncalves Zarco, on the Avenida Arriaga.

The trip ends in Funchal.