Crossing Madeira

Highlights of the trip

  • A challenging route for experienced hikers
  • The most spectacular hikes between ridges and coastal paths overlooking the ocean
  • A choice of 3 categories of accommodation for a good night’s sleep

    Customize your holiday here 

  • From 1020€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking  Moderate
      • 12 days
      • From January to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Superior
      • Ref : M1104

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Madeira

Pick up from Funchal airport and transfer by taxi to Santana, a rural village with a strong agricultural tradition located on the northeast coast. Santana is especially known for its beautiful examples of traditional houses with triangular thatched roofs.

Meals included : none
Night : Santana

Day 2 - On the heights of Boca do Risco

Short transfer by taxi to the start of the hike located on the heights of the town. Departure for one of the most beautiful stages of Madeira on a balcony path 300m above the ocean. After the terraced fields of the Ribeira Seca valley, the coastal path of Boca do Risco offers breathtaking views of the surf and coves and ends with a great descent  to the sea and the fishing village of Porto da Cruz. Once a small fishing village, Porto da Cruz is located along the jagged north coast, on one of the only places where the cliffs do not plunge directly into the Atlantic. Transfer to Santana.

Walk: Machico > Boca do Risco > Porto da Cruz | 4h15 | 7.2km | Elevation : +/-400m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Night: Santana

Day 3 - Portela to Ribeiro Frio

Today you discover a magnificent example of the famous levadas through the Laurisilva (primitive laurel and tree heather forest). These small irrigation channels built into the mountainside are typical of the island and are punctuated with waterfalls and glimpses of the valleys. The Levada do Furado is spectacular in its first part, cut into the walls with protective barriers. Once you arrive at Ribeiro Frio, a belvedere allows you to have a magnificent view of the highest peaks of the island: Pico Ruivo and Pico Ariero! Transfer back to Santana.

Walk: Portela > Ribeiro Frio | 4h |12.5km | Elevation : +350m/- 50m
Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night: Santana

Day 4 - Pico Ruivo

From Achada do Texeira, the path leads to the island's summit - Pico Ruivo - at 1862 m. The 360° view is simply magnificent! The second part is a beautiful descent to an altitude of around 900 m, through a variety of ecosystems, including the beautiful Laurissilva. The route ends by following a levada to the Queimadas park.

Walk: Achada do Texeira > Queimadas > Pico das Pedras | 5h | 9.6 km | Elevation: +385m/-1055m
Meals included : breakfast and dinner.
Night : Encumeada

*Superior version: there is no other accommodation on the Paul plateau. If you choose the superior version you will also be staying at the Encumeada hotel.

Day 5 - The balconies of the Paul da Serra plateau

From your hotel, you leave for a beautiful loop hike on the Paul plateau. Starting from the hotel, depart for a beautiful loop hike along the Levada do Norte, one of the largest on the island, followed by the Levada do Fajã do Rodrigues with its dense vegetation. The return is via a forest trail around the Chão dos Louros Forest Park, which is home to species of the Laurisilva forest, such as the Canary laurel (passage through tunnels).

Walk : Encumeada > Levada do Norte > Levada do Rodrigues > Chaõ dos Louros > Encumeada | 6h30 | 17.4km | Elevation: +/-960m)
Meals included : breakfast and dinner.
Night : Encumeada

Day 6 - From Paul da Serra to Seixal

This morning you reach the Paul da Serra plateau (1600m) which marks the starting point of your great descent on the north side of Madeira. After crossing the plateau you arrive at the ancient crater of Fanal. This enchanting site, home to centuries-old laurel specimens, is classified as a haven of rest and silence. Discover an ingenious cable system used to transport wood and ferns to the Seixal valley, then begin your descent into the Chao de Ribeira valley, dotted with basalt stone huts and cultivated terraces. Arrive in Seixal, a small agricultural and pastoral village that conceals wild volcanic coves and boasts one of the largest black sand beaches in Madeira. Well-deserved swim in one of the coves or off the black sand beach. Transfer to Porto Moniz and check in for two nights.

Walk: Paul da Serra > Fanal > Seixal | 5h30 | 14km | Elevation : +200m/ -1600m
Meals included: breakfast.
Night : Porto Moniz

Day 7 - From Achada da Cruz to Porto Moniz

This path passes through one of the most remote cultivated areas of Madeira, located on a strip of land created by erosion.  The people of Madeira still cultivate these isolated places. Then, you will climb up towards the village of Santa before descending to Porto Moniz, overlooking the sea. There are many breathtaking view points throughout the day. The walk ends in the small seaside town of Porto Moniz with magnificent natural seawater pools.

Walk : Achada da Cruz > Porto Moniz | 4h20 | 12km | Elevation : +450m/-900m
Meals included: breakfast.
Night : Porto Moniz

Day 8 - Levadas and Rabacal waterfalls

Transfer to the Paul plateau. On the Paul da Serra plateau, at an altitude of 1200 metres, the deep valley of Ribeira de Janela is born. On the Rabaçal site, as you follow the numerous levadas that fetch water from the heart of the mountain, you will discover numerous waterfalls, a forest of remarkable tree heathers, the famous giant  dandelion and the Madeira daisy. You go through a tunnel towards the end of the walk. Transfer to the south coast where you spend the next two nights. 

Walk : Rabaçal > 25 fontes > Garagem | 3h45 | 10.5km | Elevation : +360m/-640m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
Night : Jardim do Mar or Ponta do Sol

Day 9 - From Jardim do Mar to Paul do Mar

Leaving Prazeres, you follow the beautiful Levada Nova to the small hamlet of Faja de Ovelha. A spectacular descent to Paul do Mar will show you how the Madeirans worked to build the famous staircase farms.

Walk : Jardim do Mar > Fajã de Ovelha > Paul do Mar | 4h45 | 15km | Elevation : +805m/-830m
Meals included: breakfast and dinner.
Night : Jardim do Mar or Ponta do Sol

Day 10 - Curral das Freiras

Transfer to Eira do Serrado viewpoint, at 1095 meters of altitude. It is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira, offering a breathtaking landscape of the mountains and the Curral das Freiras valley. Following a royal path built in the 19th century, you arrive at the picturesque village of Curral das Freiras, named so because it served as a hiding place for the nuns of the Santa Clara convent during the pirate attack in 1566. From there, you continue towards Fajã Escura, always accompanied by the beauty of the mountains and the shade of chestnut tree.

For lunch, we book for you a typical lunch :  the Espetada, Madeira's famous meat skewers ! 

Walk : Eira do Serrado > Curral das Freiras | 2h | 6km | Elevation : +200m/-500m
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Night : Funchal

Day 11 - Funchal

Free time to explore Funchal, a charming city built like an amphitheatre around the bay. Its name comes from fennel (Foncho in Portuguese) which grew in the bay when the Portuguese arrived. It is a pleasure to stroll through the maze of cobbled streets, colourful gardens and oceanfront promenade.

Optional and to be booked in advance & paid on the spot:
. Take the cable car up to the Monte Tropical Garden which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city and return on foot.
. Visit the stunning tropical garden of the Quinta Monte Palace and the botanical garden
. Descent on a traditional wicker sledge from the Monte district to downtown Funchal. Excitement guaranteed!
. Gourmet walk : meet with a local guide in Funchal for a gourmet stroll in the historic centre of Funchal for a wonderful mix of gastronomic and cultural discovery. No less than 15 tastings to sample the savoury delights such as the hot pork and garlic sandwich, sword fish and grilled tuna and the sweet treats such as ginger biscuits, honey cake and not forgetting of course the famous Poncha (tour possible on Tuesday and Friday afternoon or Wednesday morning).

Meals included: breakfast
Night : Funchal.

Day 12 - End of your trip

End of your trip in  Madeira ! 02h30 before your flight departure, private transfer to the airport.

Meals included : breakfast

  • From 1020€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking  Moderate
      • 12 days
      • From January to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Superior
      • Ref : M1104
YOUR TRIP

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From the blog

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    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Challenging
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
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Highlights of the trip

  • A low-budget itinerary with excellent walks
  • Two spectacular hikes overlooking the ocean
  • Walking to the famous Pico Ruivo
  • The option of adding transfers or luggage transfer by private taxi

Customize your holiday here 

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Moderate
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
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      • Comfort
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Highlights of the trip

  • A complete exploration of the island
  • The freedom of the rental car to discover the island 
  •  Multiple hikes to choose according to your mood of the day
  • A free day to discover Funchal through its many activities

    Customize your holidays here 

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Moderate
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • Emblematic walks of the island of Madeira
  •  Discover the primary laurel forest, an UNESCO World Heritage site
  •  An itinerary alternating between Levada, mountain and coastal walks

    Customize your holidays here 

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • A self-catering holiday with a hire car
  • A wide range of activities to discover the island : kayak & walks
  • Most emblematic hikes on the island
  • Comfortable accommodation in ideal locations

Customize your holiday here 

    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
      • /
      • Superior

Highlights of the trip

  • Free access to the wellness area - jacuzzi, indoor pool, sauna - at your accommodations
  • Optimal location to explore the island: based in the north and then in the south
  • A choice of several hikes 
  • Private taxi transfer throughout the trip

Customize your holiday here