Madeira, an extraordinary garden

Program

Day 1

Funchal – Machico

Arrive in Funchal and transfer to the village of Machico, a fishing port and the first city founded in Madeira when Zarco landed on the island in 1419. Check-in at hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you can enjoy the beaches of Machico, stroll along the seafront or take a birdwatching excursion by boat. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Machico.

Day 2

Pointe de Sao Lourenço (8km)

After breakfast, transfer to Sao Lourenço headland for a loop hike from the reserve parking lot. This craggy peninsula at the eastern end of the island is one of Madeira’s natural gems, with spectacular scenery, unique wildlife and breathtaking panoramic views. The walk takes you along a well-maintained path that winds along the coast, offering a variety of stunning coastal landscapes. The trail is around 8 kilometers long, making it an ideal half-day excursion. During your hike, you’ll discover panoramic views of the crystal-clear sea, strange rock formations and spectacular cliffs that rise up against the azure sky. The “Punta de Sao Lourenço” is a preserved ecosystem where you can admire a wide variety of endemic plant species, including cacti, euphorbias and succulents, which have adapted their growth to the region’s arid conditions. Birdwatchers will be delighted to observe seabirds such as petrels, gulls and cormorants nesting on the cliffs. Transfer to the charming seaside village of Porto da Cruz. Overnight in a hotel in Porto da Cruz.

3h30 to 4h30 walk. 8km. +500m, -500m.

Day 3

Levada des Mimosas and North Coast Trail – Porto da Cruz (11.7 or 17.5 or 19km)

After breakfast, transfer to the start of the Levada do Caniçal hike. It stretches between the Caniçal tunnel and the village of Maroços, and crosses 3 valleys, each with its own particularities: Ribeira Secca with its lush vegetation, Ribeira de Noia with its agricultural terraces, and Ribeira Grande with its more rugged terrain. After walking the first 8 kilometers almost flat, you leave the levada to reach Boca do Risco, which offers a spectacular view of the ocean from the cliff. You then reach Porto Da Cruz via the coastal path, which is absolutely magnificent and secured by a handrail. Overnight in a hotel in Porto da Cruz.

5h to 6h walk, 17.5km; altitude gain: +500m, -565m.
Alternative to avoid the coastal path (in case of vertigo or bad weather): via Larano; 6h to 7h; 19km; altitude gain: +750m, -980m.
An easier option (with 1 transfer at your own expense): from Caniçal to Maroços; 3h30 to 4h; 11.7km; altitude difference: +300m; -300m.

Day 4

Porto da Cruz, Levada do Furado, Ribeiro Frio (13 or 17.5 km)

Today’s superb hike takes you to one of Madeira’s hidden treasures: the Levada do Furado, a veritable haven of biodiversity. From the hotel, you first take the refreshing coastal path, then climb up into the village on little-traveled roads through lush gardens and homes. This first 4km stage to Portela, including a 2km climb, takes around 1h30 to 2h. It’s a great opportunity to get a feel for the island’s atmosphere, and to discover a different ambience from that found deep in the forest. However, if you want to avoid this section (and the 670m climb), you can take a cab to Portela (transfer not included, approx. €16 payable locally). Once in Portela, reach the start of the Levada do Furado. The peaceful path runs along the irrigation canal, almost flat, and you walk under a dense forest canopy. Listen to the melodious songs of birds in the trees, including species such as the wren and nightingale. Many exotic flowers, such as the Madeira orchid, dot the trail, creating bursts of color amidst the greenery. At certain points, the trail opens up to panoramic views of Madeira’s north coast, offering a striking contrast between lush forest and blue ocean. At Ribeiro Frio, you’ll take a tour of Balcoes, an extraordinary balcony overlooking the Faja de Nogueiras and the island’s towering peaks.Transfer at the end of the hike to your next accommodation. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in San Roque da Faial.

Approx. 7 h to 8 h walk, 17.5km; altitude gain: +670m.
An easier option (with 1 transfer at your expense): from Portela to Ribero Frio; 4h30 to 5h30; 13km, no change in altitude.

Day 5

Ariero – Pico Ruivo – Achada de Teixera – Santana (8 or 13 km)

Transfer after breakfast for a spectacular and not-to-be-missed hike on Madeira Island. Starting from Pico de Ariero (1818), you’ll reach Madeira’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1862), along impressive but well-protected ravines. The hike is not long (only 8km), but the route alternates between ascents and descents. The trail takes you through a variety of landscapes, from steep ridges to narrow paths and rock tunnels. Along the way, you’ll glimpse deep valleys and dizzying ravines. These geological formations are typical of Madeira and add to the island’s natural beauty. The sloping landscapes and lush green valleys are impressive. After a beautiful climb shaded by tree heather to the Ruivo refuge, you might like to have a drink on the way back from the easy, panoramic ascent of the Ruivo.
Descend to Achada de Texeira and transfer to Santana, the largest village on the north coast, with its fairytale thatched cottages. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Santana.

4h00 to 4h30 walk. 8km. + 550 m, – 700 m ascent.
Alternatively, when the Ariero-Achada de Texeira trail is closed: start from Queimadas Park, climb Pico Ruivo and descend to Achada de Texeira.
5h to 5h30 walk, 13km, +900m, -300m

Day 6

Achada de Texeira – Encumeada (12.5 km)

Transfer to the start of the hike. Without doubt one of the island’s strongest landscapes: a constantly open landscape, with alternating views to the north and south coast. We pass from one side to the other of the ridge line on a beautiful, very wild path, bordered by tree heathers, with sublime views of the island’s highest peaks. This exceptional route takes in large cobbled steps from time to time, both uphill and downhill. At the Torrinhas pass, we leave the downhill trails, south to Curral da Freiras, north to Boaventura, to continue our “rollercoaster” towards Pico da Jorge. A beautiful passage along the Ferreiro basalt wall among ferns and tree heathers leads us downhill to the Encumeada pass, overlooked by the Paul da Serra plateau and its gigantic wind turbines. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Encumeada.

Other option: This hike for good to very good walkers can be replaced by a more leisurely day with cab from Santana to Encumeada along the spectacular north coast (cab not included in the price).

5h00 to 6h00 walk. 12.5 km. + 550 m, – 1100 m ascent.
Alternatively, when the Achada de Texeira to Encumeada crossing is closed: itinerary from Encuméada and back on the levada do Norte.
3h00 to 4h00 walk. 4 or 10 km, + 250 m, – 250 m ascent.

Day 7

Boca de Corrida – Pico Grande – Curral das Freitas (12.5km)

We set off 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 enabled landowners to travel between villages, today it’s a picturesque hiking trail offering splendid panoramic views of the valley, the surrounding villages (Curral das Freiras, Funchal, Paul Serra) and the surrounding peaks, including Pico Grande. In addition to the scenery, you can also appreciate many endemic species of Madeiran flora, such as the laurel and Madeira mahogany (Persea indica), or fauna, such as the Madeiran kinglet (Regulus madeirensis), the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs madeirensis) and the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis). Once we reach Relvinha, Pico Grande rises up in front of us, and it’s possible to climb it. It’s one of the ten highest peaks on the island, and you’ll be rewarded with a view of the surrounding peaks. Above all, it’s an interesting section to do if you want to take on the challenge of a slightly more technical climb. Otherwise, the route continues towards Largo do Colmeal via a long, zigzagging descent. We arrive in the Curral das Freiras valley (Valley of the Nones) in the center of the island, the finish point of our hike.
Transfer to Funchal. Free dinner and overnight in Funchal

4h00 to 4h30 walk (6h if you climb Pico Grande). 12.5km. +200m, -800m ascent.

Alternative, when this route is closed: Levada do Norte (Ribeira Brava – Cabo Girão)
Starting from Faja de Ribeira, you take the Levada do Norte, one of Madeira’s largest and most important, which crosses a large part of the island. This magnificent hike ends at the famous Cabo Girao lookout. You can visit this platform suspended above the void for an entrance fee of €2 (ticket available from an ATM).
6h00 to 7h00 walk. +550m, -100m ascent

Day 8

End of stay

Transfer to airport (30 minutes), return flight.