General
Atlantic Garden 8Days – From Sao Lourenço, a wild peninsula to the summit of Pico Ruivo, the route reveals all its elegance, between sea and mountain, between lush vegetation and bare reliefs … with the added bonus of the daily comfort of a hotel.
The journey in summary
Famous for its wine, Madeira is known for its beauty, the diversity of its landscapes, but also for the hospitality and generosity of its inhabitants. The “poios”, terraced crops where sugar cane, banana trees, or vines and sweet potatoes abound, are irrigated by an extraordinary network of levadas. These irrigation canals, which take their source in the mountains in the heart of a lush and primitive vegetation – tree heathers, mahogany of Madeira, lily tree and other endemic – you will discover surprising landscapes, where the mountains plunge into the sea. ocean, and where passionflower, orchids and birds of paradise parent the houses of a thousand and one colors.
The strong points
- Varied route between sea and mountain
- A free day to discover Funchal
- All transfers included
The program
Day 1
Arrival at the airport. Transfer to Porto da Cruz for the standard formula or to Machico for the comfort formula. Installation for 4 nights. Dinner free.
Transfer time: 20 minutes.
Day 2
Sao Lourenço Point
Transfer to Abra Baia. Hiking on the tip of Sao Lourenço and its multicolored cliffs. North side, a regularly agitated ocean where the waves rush under the overhanging walls; south side, a quiet bay sheltered from the waves, where some coves are within walking distance. Overnight and dinner in Porto da Cruz or Machico depending on the chosen option.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours. Altitude difference: + 450m / -450m. Transfer time: 40mn.
Day 3
Machico – Porto da Cruz
Little warm-up on a levada winding between houses and cultures, gradual climb to the Boca do Risco pass offering a sudden panorama of the ocean, overlooking it over 300 m, then continuation, by a nice course in balcony above from the ocean and descent on the bay of Porto da Cruz.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours. Altitude difference: + 200m / -400m. Transfer time: 20 minutes.
Day 4
Rancho – Queimadas – Ilha
Transfer to Pico das Pedras. From Pico das Pedra then from Queimadas to Caldeiro Verde, you discover a gigantic natural pot lost in the heart of a primitive forest: tree heaths lined with huge volcanic circuses can be seen at the exit of the few tunnels to cross. You continue to the magnificent Caldeirão do Inferno to finally descend on the hamlet of Ilha. Dinner and overnight in Porto da Cruz or Machico depending on the chosen option.
Walking time: 5h30. Altitude difference: + 50m / -550m. Transfer time: 45 minutes
Day 5
Achadas do Teixeira – Pico Ruivo – Encumeada
Superb crossing by the ridges of Achadas do Teixeira, Pico Ruivo (1862 m) until Encumeada. You enjoy a sumptuous panorama of the ocean, the ridges and surrounding peaks, straddling the two sides. Dinner and overnight in Encumeada mountain hotel.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours. Elevation gain: + 800m / -1100m. Transfer time: 25 minutes.
Day 6
Encumeada – Pico Grande – Curral das Freiras
From Encumeada, you cross to the Col de Boca do Cedro (1297 m) at the foot of Pico Grande. You will have a nice overview of the summits gravis before: Pico do Areiro, Pico das Torres, Pico Ruivo. The climb to the top of Pico Grande is optional. A descent through the pastures and then the chestnut groves takes you to Curral das Freiras, a village nestled at the bottom of a cirque of steep mountains. Transfer and overnight in Funchal in a hotel residence in the city center. Free dinner.
Walking time: 5h (6h30 with the summit). Elevation: + 550m / -650m (+ 900m / -1150m with the summit). Transfer time: 30 minutes.
Day 7
Free day and free meals in Funchal.
Day 8
Airport transfer. End of the stay.