General

An island, summits, ancestral trails, a feeling of freedom, Crossing Madeira 8Days  an ideal cocktail for experienced walkers!

The journey in summary

Crossing Madeira Island 8 Days Program

The travel itinerary

Madeira hides natural treasures unsuspected in the heart of a rugged landscape of gorges, ridges and impassable forests. To reach them, we propose you to cross Madeira by a unique and wild route and generally off the beaten tracks. You will enjoy authentic moments close to rural life while enjoying the panoramic views and the excellent gastronomy of the island..

The strong points

  • A unique and wild itinerary
  • 6 beautiful hikes
  • The ascent of the unmissable peaks of the island
  • Taxi transfers

The program

Day 1

Reception at the airport, transfer and overnight in Santa Cruz or Machico, seaside village. Installation in your accommodation. Dinner free.

Transfer time: 20 minutes.

Day 2

Sao Lourenco Bridge – Boca do risco – Porto da Cruz

Transfer to the tip of Sao Lorenço, for a visit to this desert and unique region of the island. In the late morning, short transfer by bus line to the Caniçal tunnel. Hike through the Boca do Risco Pass with breathtaking views of the ocean and the north coast. A beautiful path in balcony will take you to Porto da Cruz, a seaside village that will offer you the pleasure of a swim and, if the ocean is capricious, you can opt for a swim in saltwater pool or visit the rum. Continuation by the pass of Cruz for a final ascent for Sao Roque, where we will spend the night. Dinner and accommodation.

Walking time: 6h. Altitude difference: + 700m / – 650m. Transfer time: 30 minutes.

Day 3

Faja da Nogueira – Caldeirão do Inferno – Caldeirao  Verde – Ilha

Short transfer to the vicinity of Faja da Nogueira in the Natural Park of Madeira. Beautiful circus at the foot of the great peaks of the island. A track will take you to a levada that you will follow to one of the most beautiful sites on the island: the gorges of hell, a wild place in the heart of the island. You will arrive at the levada de Caldeirao verde, with a splendid and aerial course in a green setting. Descent on the hamlet of Ilha. Crossing of some tunnels (frontal obligatory !!). Transfer to Sao Roque do Faial. Dinner and accommodation.

Walking time: 7h. Elevation: + 800m / – 750m. Transfer time: 30 minutes.

Day 4

Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo – Pico Jorge – Encumeada

Transfer for the sunrise to Pico do Arieiro at 1818 meters. Breathtaking views and breathtaking scenery of grandeur and beauty: huge walls with red, brown, black rocks … plunge into abysses and fog. The decor is really unreal. Departure on ridges to reach the top of the island: Pico Ruivo (1862m). Sublime crossing to Encumeada by ridges with omnipresent views on both sides. A true altitude course, perhaps the most beautiful! Night in hotel in Encumeada.

Walking time: from 8 to 9h. Altitude difference: + 900m / -1700m. Transfer time: 40 minutes.

Day 5

Encumeada – Pico Ruivo do Paul – Estanquinhos

Departure from Encumeada for Paul da Serra by a levadas network in the middle of Laurisylva forest with a view overlooking the valley of Sao Vicente. Small ascent of Pico Ruivo do Paul. Transfer and overnight in Jardin do Mar in a paradise setting and facing the sea.

Walking time: 6h. Altitude difference: + 900m / – 200m. Transfer time: 30 minutes.

Day 6

Paul da Serra – Fanal – Seixal

Departure for one of the most remote and wild regions of Madeira. You start by crossing the plateau and then the beautiful horse trail between the valleys of Ribeira da Janela and Chao da Ribeira. You will continue to areas where nature has remained almost intact with the world’s largest laurels. You will “dive” on the northern slope which will reveal its impressive cliffs to the incredibly wild beauty. Arrival in Seixal, a small village nestled at the foot of large cliffs rushing into the ocean. Night in hotel in Seixal in front of the ocean and the sand beach.

Walking time: 6h. Altitude difference: + 200m / – 1500m. Transfer time: 30 minutes. 

Day 7

Encumeada – Pico Grande – Boca do Cerro – Funchal

Transfer to Encumeada. Departure for a hike in the foothills of Pico Grande in the central region of the island to the Boca do Cerro pass. Ascension (optional) of the most beautiful and technical summit of the island: Pico Grande then descent to Curral das Freiras.

Transfer to Funchal (30 min) from Fajã Escura. Overnight in Funchal hotel in the city center. Dinner free.

Walking time: 7h. Altitude difference: + 900m / – 1200m. Transfer time: 1h10.

Day 8

Free visit of the city and transfer to the airport .

Available departures

PRICE 845 Euros Doble Bed room
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Practical Details

PROGRAMMING DATES

Departure every day according to availability from April to October.

APPOINTMENT

When you arrive at Funchal airport, a taxi will be waiting to take you to your first hotel.

LEVEL

6 to 7 hours of walking each day, sometimes off the trail, with a difference in height of 200 to 800 m, negative elevation gain. from -200 to -1500 m.

PORTAGE

You will only wear your personal belongings for the day.

ORGANIZATION

Transport of luggage and participants by vehicle.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation in a double room in comfortable hotels.

MEAL

If you wish, you can order your picnics directly the day before to your accommodation or make your purchases in grocery stores.

TRAVEL

A taxi will take you to the starting point of the hikes and will take you back to the hotel at the end of the day. On the last day, a taxi will take you back to the airport.

TRAVEL POUCH CONTENT

In the month before departure, but after receipt of the balance of your stay, we will send you a travel bag including all the documents necessary to the realization of your hike: topo-guide with base of cards, labels for your luggage, practical sheet including the logistics process, the addresses of the accommodation, as well as the contractual documents (invoice, insurance contract). In the guidebook you will find the description of paths and comments on villages, monuments …

Equipment

BAGAGES

1 sac de voyage ou un grand sac à dos pour les « affaires suiveuses » n'excédant pas 12 kg

1 petit sac à dos (30 à 40 l) pour les affaires de la journée

LES VETEMENTS

A adapter suivant la saison:

1 chapeau ou casquette et/ou foulard

1 paire de gants fins

1 bonnet

T-shirts manches courtes (et/ou en fonction de la saison, sous pulls à manches longues) en matière respirante. Quantité : 1 pour 2 à 3 jours de marche.

1 veste en fourrure polaire

1 veste coupe-vent imperméable et respirante type gore-tex avec capuche

1 sursac à dos

1 pantalon de montagne (trekking) déperlant

1 surpantalon imperméable et respirant type gore-tex (si votre budget vous le permet)

1 short

1 maillot de bain et serviette (masque pour les amateurs de plongée). Cependant, les plages de Madère ne se prêtent pas trop au farniente ou à la baignade (plages souvent constituées de blocs et vagues parfois impressionnantes).

Chaussettes de marche (1 paire pour 2 à 3 jours de marche). Privilégier la laine ou les chaussettes spécifiques randonnée. Evitez le coton (ampoules).

1 aire de chaussures de randonnée tenant bien la cheville et imperméables à semelle type Vibram. Pensez à « tester » auparavant les chaussures neuves et celles inutilisées depuis longtemps.

Des sous-vêtements

1 pantalon confortable pour le soir

1 paire de chaussures de détente très légères pour le soir

LE MATERIEL A EMPORTER

1 grand sac plastique à glisser dans votre sac à dos pour en protéger le contenu

1 paire de lunettes de soleil d'excellente qualité avec protection latérale

1 paire de bâtons (facultatif)

1 goude (1,5 l minimum)

1 thermos si vous emportez thé, café... soupe (surtout en hiver ou séjours en altitude)

1 boîte plastique hermétique (volume 0,5 à 0,75 litre environ) pour le pique-nique

1 couteau de poche type Opinel

Couverts + gobelet

1 petite pochette étanche pour mettre argent, carte d'identité, carte vitale et contrat d'assistance

Nécessaire de toilette

1 serviette qui sèche rapidement

Boules Quiès ou tampon Ear (si votre voisin ronfle !)

Papier toilette + 1 briquet

Crème solaire + écran labial

1 frontale ou lampe de poche (indispensable).

1 couverture de survie

Appareil photos, jumelles (facultatif) et batterie de secours