Self-Drive: Discover Madeira at your own pace !

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 

  • From 600€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking  Moderate
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming
      • Ref : M1103

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arriving in Madeira

Porto da CruzArrive on your own at Madeira international airport. Pick up the rental car at the airport and drive to the north east coast  where you settle in for 2 nights. 

Meals included : dinner
Night : Santana or Porto da Cruz

Day 2 - Discovery of the north and centre of the island

Pico RuivoFor this first day, you have the choice between 3 very different hikes which will all give you an insight into the characteristics of this part of the island: cliffs plunging into the ocean, a particularly defined landscape with mineral crests culminating between 1000m and 1800m and mountainous foothills covered with a unique endemic forest, the laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Easy level :
Characterized by a craggy coastline, drawn by the combined action of the wind and the sea over thousands of years, the Sao Lourenço peninsula displays unusual rock formations with amazing colours. It is famous for its many birds, endemic plants and fossils. You may like to enjoy a swim along the way in isolated coves.
Walk : Peninsula of Sao Lorenzo Loop | 3h | 7.2 km - 4.5 miles | Elevation : +/-400m

Walking along a centuries old levada carved into the rock, you will discover Madeira's primary forest - the incredible Laurissilva - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Levada rises above dizzying cliffs, passes through 4 tunnels dug into the basalt (don't forget your headlamp) to finally reach the source of the Levada: the Caldeiro Verde, an amphitheatre of subtropical vegetation, framing a waterfall that plunges into a basin.  Return to the Queimadas Botanical Park by the same route.
Walk : Queimadas > Caldeirao Verde > Queimadas | 4h30 | 14 km - 8.6 miles | Elevation : +/-110m

Moderate level
One of the most spectacular routes in Madeira! On the central ridge of the Island, the trail climbs up through a fascinating mineral landscape connecting the highest peaks. From Pico Ruivo (1862m) to Pico Arriero, it is one panoramic and breathtaking view to another. An unforgettable day!
Walk : Pico Ruivo > Pico Arieero (round trip) | 5h40 | 9 km - 5.6 miles | Elevation : +/-900m
Extension Pico Ariero :  +2h | Elevation : +/- 300m

Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Santana or Porto da Cruz

We recommend:
. In order to fully enjoy this moderate hike considered one of the most beautiful on the island, you transfer by taxi, allowing for an itinerant hike between Pico Ruivo and Pico Ariero (instead of a round trip) making the hike easier: 4h | Elevation : +700m/ -500m. Please contact us.

Day 3 - From the north-east coast to Porto Moniz

Picos

Today you can choose to do one of the 3 suggested hikes on Day 2 before taking the northern road towards Porto Moniz.

The first section of the road is winding and particularly beautiful, alternating between the forest and the sea, offering incredible views of the gigantic cliffs that plunge into the sea.
The next two nights will be spent in Porto Moniz, a small and charming seaside resort at the north-western tip of the island, famous for its natural pools dug into the volcanic rock that fill up with sea water at high tide.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto Moniz

Day 4 - En route to the south coast

Seixal beach

A water themed day awaits you today! We invite you to explore the Rabacal waterfalls on the Paul Plateau.

Moderate level :
On the plateau of Paul da Serra, at an altitude of 1200 metres, the deep valley of Ribeira de Janela is born. On the site of Rabacal, following the numerous levadas that fetch water from the heart of the mountain, you will discover many waterfalls, a forest of remarkable tree heather, the famous giant dandelion and the Madeira daisy.
Walk : Rabacal > 25 fontes (loop) | 4h | 11 km - 6.8 miles | Elevation : +/- 400m

Back in Porto Moniz, take the time to enjoy the natural swimming pools (weather permitting) or a walk along the seafront, visit the Aquarium in the old Fort Saint John the Baptist or climb up to the Santa belvedere for a bird's eye view of the town.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto Moniz

Day 5 - The Paul Plateau

Bican da Cana- Lombo do MourroFor this brand-new day, you will set off to conquer the Paul Plateau at an altitude of around 1600m in the very centre of Madeira. With its baron and reddish soil, it is as though the world has completely changed! And yet, the lush green of the primary forest is not far away...

Easy level :
Here you have the possibility to do 2 mini hikes, just a few minutes drive from each other. During the day you can easily complete all three loops or decide to do just one :
. The site of Fanal, classified as a haven of tranquillity with its hundred-year-old laurels
Walk : 1h10 | Elevation: +/-75m
. A discovery of the exuberant vegetation and the Bica da Cana waterfalls at Pinaculo
Walk : 1h45 | Elevation: +/-150m

Challenging level :
The route starts at the Encumeada pass where you park your vehicle. There is no choice but to start this hike along the asphalt road (40 min) but after that you enter a fairy-tale world: an old path hidden in the vegetation, a flowery levada that passes under some waterfalls, forests of ferns and tree heathers, hand-carved tunnels (do not forget your headlamp!), wooden stairs ... In short, everything that can make for an exciting itinerary is found here!
Walk : Encumeada > Levada do Norte > Encumeada | 5h30 |  14 km - 8.6 miles | Elevation : +320m / -650m

After your day you head south, to a sunny coast where pretty villages nestle and tropical crops (banana, avocado, papaya and mango trees) grow.

Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Jardim do Mar or Paul do Mar or Estreito da Calheta

Day 6 - The Levada do Moinho

Jardim do mar

From the church of Lombada do Ponta do Sol, the starting point of your walk, you follow the Levada do Moinho into the heart of a magnificent valley. On the way, you cross a river with a small waterfall. Aerial passages, tunnels, waterfalls, terraced fields... a perfect combination!

Once you are in Ponta do Sol, you will drive back to your accommodation.

Walk : Ponta do Sol > Levada do Moinho > Ponta do Sol | 3h || 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +/-100m
Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Jardim do Mar or Arco de Calheta or Estreito da Calheta

Day 7 - Charming Funchal

boat- fishingWith your vehicle, drive to Funchal, the capital. A charming city built like an amphitheater around the bay, its name comes from the fennel ( Foncho in Portuguese) which grew in the bay when the Portuguese first arrived.

There is no shortage of activities to help you enjoy your day (with supplement -  not included):

. Take the cable car that connects the city centre to the sumptuous tropical gardens in less than 20 minutes.
. Visit the tropical gardens with beautiful plants from all over the world and native plants from the Madeira forest as well as a beautiful collection of azulejos (15th-20th centuries).
. There are 2 ways to get back down to the city centre, either on foot through the picturesque streets or by taking the wicker basket downhill, a traditional means of transport once used by the locals to navigate down through the narrow and steep streets of the island.
. A sea trip on a catamaran (2h30): relaxing off Madeira's spectacular coastline, admiring the wildlife including, dolphins, whales, rorquals and sea birds. 
. A gourmet stroll through the historic centre of Funchal that mixes gastronomic and cultural discovery with no less 15 tastings! (on Tuesday and Friday afternoon or Wednesday morning). 
Night in Funchal

Meals included : breakfast

Day 8 - End of your trip in Funchal

Tradionnal hatEnd of your trip in Funchal, the capital city of Madeira! Drive to the airport where you drop off your rental car and catch your return flight

Meals included : breakfast

  • From 600€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Walking  Moderate
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming
      • Ref : M1103
YOUR TRIP

Let's book your tour !

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  • 4 - Wait for full confirmation before booking your flights

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  • We manage the logistics of your trip ( hotel, luggage transfer, bike)
  • We are a certified agency
  • You reserve the right to refuse our offer, and request a refund

Contact us

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  • icon contact contact@intura-travel.com
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From the blog

More Madeira walking tours

Madeira - Madeira
Authentic Madeira
    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Challenging
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple

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
      • /
      • Comfort
      • /
      • Charming

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