Walking Holidays in Madeira hold a certain beauty and natural charm. Explore breathtaking sea cliffs, rocky peaks and mountain terrain & lush valleys. Not many places offer such a variety of scenery as walking in Madeira. Enjoy a week’s independent walking, at your own pace, in your own time.
For centuries Madeira has been a haven for those wanting to escape the turmoils of modern life. Few destinations offer such a variety of scenery – breathtaking sea cliffs, rocky peaks, alpine plateaux, lush valleys and mountain terracing, yet the Madeira retains an unspoilt beauty and natural charm. Many of the paths follow the famous levadas. This self-guided holiday allows you to discover this beautiful island at your leisure.
Price:
£590.00 per person sharing a room
Single room supplement £160.00
This holiday is not suitable for a single person walking alone.
Included:
7 nights accommodation in a twin/double room with en-suite facilities and breakfasts, transfers to and from the airport, transfer of luggage between hotels and transfers as mentioned in the programme, comprehensive walking notes, bus timetables where applicable and emergency back up service
Not Included:
Getting to/from holiday, meals not included in the programme, some short local bus journeys
Departures:
This walk can start on the date of your choice.
Day 1 – Transfer to Machico Residencial a Perola or similar where you spend the first two nights.
Day 2 – Walk Ponta de Saõ Lourenço and return by public bus. Transfer to Ponta de São Laurenço and walk up to the extreme east part of the island, Casa do Sardinha. In this dry area, among scoriae and fissures in the basaltic dykes, you will see wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist windy environments. Rocks with a diversity of colours ranging from black to different red sculpted by Nature in stark contrast to the blue ocean offer dreamy landscapes. 10 kms/6.25 miles +80m -200m 4 hours approx.
Day 3 – Machico/Boca do Risco/P. Cruz, transfer to Santana accommodation, Casa Da Faja Alta or similar, for 2 nights. This walk is easy and enchanting, well within the reach of all walkers. It begins at Maroços and you walk into the splendid valley of Ribeira Grande. There is little habitation, yet the handiwork of the Madeiran farmer is all around. “Palheiros” point the landscape here and there, mere specks of red and white in the great bowls of greenery reaching up to the sky. The north coast between Boca does Risco and Porto da Cruz is perhaps the quintessence of Madeira – nowhere else on the island can match its rugged beauty in sunlight. 13 kms/8.2 miles +250m -350m 5 hours 50mins.
Day 4 – Transfer to Pico das Pedras, walk along Levada do Caldeirão Verde and then descend to Ilha. A very special walk through one of the Madeira’s oldest Levadas. Beautiful valleys, small craters, waterfalls, and views of the sea and mountains. Return directly to accommodation. 12 kms/7.5 miles +50m -500m 5hrs 30
Day 5 – Achadado Teixeira/Pico Ruivo/ Encumeada, transfer luggage to Estalagem Encumeada, or similar, for 1 night. Time to head up into the high mountains! Today’s programme depends on the weather as well as on your preferences; if the outlook is good you start with a road transfer up to Achada do Teixeira (1592m) near to the famous Homen em Pé rock, from where it is about an hour walk up to the summit of Pico Ruivo (1862m), the highest summit in Madeira. You can continue along a high ridge, which forms the backbone of the island,with fabulous views either side (weather permitting). A strenuous walk and the hardest day this tour. There are more ‘downs’ than ‘ups’ andyou eventually descend to Encumeada at 1007m. 14 kms/8.75 miles +1000m -900 5hrs 50
Day 6 – Encumeada/Boca da Corrida/Corticeiras, return by public bus to Funchal for 2 nights. From Encumeada walk through woods of chestnut and eucalyptus and then traverse below the rocky escarpment of Pico Grande, enjoying fine views to the south and back to the west. Eventually, you will arrive at a superb viewpoint overlooking the spectacularly situated village of Curral das Freiras. A luxurious vegetation area, in a beautiful valley with spectacular views overlooking the mountain and gardens ahead. 14 kms/8.75 miles +550m -200m 5hrs 50
Day 7 – Monte/C. Romeiros/Botanic Garden, return by public bus. In the morning there is time to visit Funchal. In the afternoon, walk along the Levada dos Tornos, inaugurated only 30 years ago and one of the newest and most important Levadas on the island. This walk gives us a fine introduction to the fertile south of the island. Wind your way through cultivated terraces, along Levada banks festooned with flowers, with a bird’s eye views out over the south coast. Finally leave the Levada at Rochão and visit the Botanical Garden. 12 kms/7.5 miles +250m -180m 4hrs
Day 8 – Departure transfer to the airport.
