Madeira

After arriving at the Funchal Airport, a transfer to the fishing village of Machico is included. This is the first town to appear on Madeira, with the arrival of Zarco in 1419. Here you will spend your first night.

The eastern part of Madeira is truly stunning, this very wild place combines both the Atlantic Ocean and the basaltic formations, to the delight of the hundreds of seagulls that nest here. After a lovely day of hiking, take a transfer to the charming village of Porto da Cruz, located right by the sea. Here you have the opportunity to take a cooling dip in the so-called ‘basaltic swimming pool’. Today’s hike is 3 to 4 hours. Overnight in Porto da Cruz or Machico.
7 km, +270 m

Today you can choose between two different hikes, Mimosas Levada or The northern coastal path.

If you choose the Mimosas Levada, you will hike between the Cannical tunnel and the village of Maroços. This hiking area will give you an idea of what life in Madeira was like before there were any roads. Levada: are man-made channels built to carry water from the areas in the centre of the island where it rains the most, to the agricultural areas around the island. For almost 5 centuries, the levada was used to transport the ‘must’, used to make wine between Porto da Cruz (north coast) and Machico (south coast).
We start the day’s route on a flat path for a marvellous hike along a levada, surrounded by mimosas that bloom all year round.
‘Palheiros’ (a small two-sided house used as a shelter for agriculture) are scattered on “Poios” (climbing terraces on the mountainside) along the way, in the small valleys of Ribeira Secca, Ribeira deNoia and Ribeira Grande. After a lovely day of hiking we reach the village of Marocas, a more populated environment, with lush vegetation on both sides of the levada that takes you the last bit down to the village.
This route is about 3 to 4 hours of hiking, no altitude difference. Overnight in Porto da Cruz or San Roque.

If you choose to hike “The northern coastal path”, the day starts with a short transfer to Maroços. From there you hike along this simple levada to the balconies of the northern coast. Here you continue on a wonderful road to Portela. Then it’s downhill to Porto da Cruz (by bus or on foot), a small village on the northern side, at the foot of the Pena de Aguia (Eagle’s Peak).
About 5:30 to 6 hours of hiking, + 240 m, – 400 m. Overnight in Porto da Cruz or in Sao Roque de Faial.
15.5 km, +602 m

Today’s route is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in eastern Madeira. You start in Porto da Cruz and from there you hike through lush gardens, terraced in the valley of the Faial, until you reach the amazing viewpoint of Portela at 600 metres.
Shorter option: it’s possible to get to Portela by taxi (avoiding the 600 m climb!)
You then continue eastwards on a good path, along the Levada do Furado. The views that this route offers become more and more sumptuous the further you hike. The high mountain peaks that merge with the sky give you a fantastic view. The path, which until now has been wide, narrows and turns into narrow paths surrounded by heather and lush vegetation along deep ravines.
The last stretch of the day takes you among the ‘Balcoes’, an extraordinary balcony at Faja de Nogueiras and among the peaks of the island. When you finally reach the end of the route, you will take a short transfer to a hotel in San Roque da Faial. This small village has a marvellous view towards the Penha de Aguia mountain.
6h30 hike (or 4h without the first climb). Overnight in a hotel in San Roque da Faial.
18,2 km, + 1230 m

A transfer from Santana takes you from San Roque da Faial to an altitude of 1818 metres, at the start of the hike in Pico de Ariero. This route is probably the most impressive on the island. The path runs along impressive gorges with very panoramic ascents and descents between Ariero and Pico de Gato, which you cross through a small tunnel. You will hike past Mount Torres on the right side by leaving the impractical tunnels. A beautiful passage along one of the island’s many ‘balconies’ will allow you to take a closer look at Madeira’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo. After a beautiful climb surrounded by heather trees, you finally reach the Pico Ruivo peak, at 1862 m altitude. Then descent to Achada de Texeira and transfer to Santana, which is the largest city on the northern coast.
4 to 4h30 hike, +550 m, – 700 m. Overnight in Santana.
8.1 km, + 444 m

Today you will hike through one of the most beautiful landscapes in Madeira, with panoramic views of both the north and south coasts. Whilst hiking on a beautiful and unspoilt path surrounded by heather, one is struck by the breathtaking views of the mountain peaks. During the hike, you encounter large paved steps in both ascent and descent. At the Torrinhas Pass, you leave the descent routes to Curral da Freias and Boaventura to continue towards Pico da Jorge. You follow a fantastic route along the basaltic side of Ferreiro, down to the Encumeada pass, with views of the Paul da Serra plateau and the giant wind turbines.
5 to 6 hours hike, +550, -1100 m. Overnight stay at the hotel Residencial Encumeada (2*).
Please note! This hike is recommended for good to very good hikers. Can be replaced by a relaxing day of taxi transfer from Santana to Encumeada, along the northern coast (transfer not included).
12.3 km, + 538 m

You travel from Boca da Corrida via Passo de Ares, Pico do Serradinho and Boca do Cerro, along the historic Camino Real da Encumeada. Once a paved royal road, that allowed landowners to travel between villages. Now it is a picturesque hiking trail that offers stunning panoramic views of the valley, the surrounding villages (Curral das Freiras, Funchal, Paul Serra) and the surrounding mountain peaks, including Pico Grande. In addition to the landscape, one can also see many animal and plant species that are only found in Madeira, such as laurel and mahogany (Persea indica), or fauna, kingfisher and kestrel.
When you reach Relvinha, the Pico Grande rises in front of you – if you want it is possible to climb it. It is one of the ten highest peaks on the island and rewards those who climb it with a view of the surrounding peaks. Otherwise, the trail continues towards Largo do Colmeal via a long, zigzagging descent. You finally reach the Curral das Freiras (Nones) valley, in the centre of the island, which is the destination of the hike. Then transfer to the hotel in Funchal.
4h00 to 4h30 hike (6h if you climb Pico Grande), +200m, -800m ascent. Overnight stay at hotel in Funchal.
6.8 km, +282 m

Transfer to the airport (30 minutes). Thanks for a nice trip, see you soon!