General
Complete Madeira 15 Days to discover the different facets of the Atlantic garden!
The journey in summary
You will discover the island in all its splendor, with hikes sometimes inland following the magnificent wire of ridges, sometimes along the shredded coasts dominating the Ocean. Let yourself be charmed by the island life, and moments shared with its inhabitants. Hospitality and comfort will be required. A sensational trip for those looking for sustained hikes.
.
The strong points
- Variety of hikes: balcony, coastal, levadas, ridges
- The visit of the most beautiful sites of Madeira
- All transfers included
The program
Day 1
Reception at the airport of Funchal, transfer for your accommodation in Sao Roque do Faial or Porto da Cruz according to the chosen accommodation option and installation at the hotel.
Transfer time: 20 minutes.
Day 2
Sao Lourenço Point
Transfer to Abra Bay for a ride to the tip of Sao Lourenço Point: the cape line stretches from the quiet Abra Bay to the south and the still-bustling north coast. Volcanic cliffs with multicolored rocks that plunge into the ocean, and small coves with clear water in which to swim; diving enthusiasts may cross colorful fish … Dinner and overnight in Porto da Cruz.
Walking time: from 3 to 4 hours. Altitude difference: + 450m / -450m. Transfer time: 20 minutes.
Day 3
Machico – Porto da Cruz
After following a small levada (the canals that form the basis of the Madeira irrigation system) dominating Machico bay and winding between flowering houses, terraced crops, and mimosa forests, a path leads to the pass of Boca do Risco from where you dominate the ocean and the north coast of more than 350 meters high. A beautiful balcony path over the ocean leads you to Porto Da Cruz and allows you to go down to the sea while sneaking between homes and cultures. Swimming possible in Porto da Cruz. Dinner and overnight in Porto da Cruz.
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours. Altitude difference: + 170m / -350m. Transfer time: 25 minutes.
Day 4
Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo
Transfer to Pico do Arieiro where a magnificent crossing awaits you. After climbing to Pico do Ariero, descent into a circus, breathtaking landscape of grandeur and beauty. Huge walls with red rocks, brown, black … plunge into the abyss and the mist. The decor is really unreal. The cloud sea from the north often tries to cross the other side. The view of the surrounding peaks and the valley of Curral das Freiras is magnificent. Arriving at the top of Pico Ruivo (1862m) the view is sublime. Descent to Achada do Teixeira, before passing “Homem em Pé” strange natural figure.
Transfer from Achadas do Teixeira to Porta da Cruz, (depending on the weather this day may be changed with another day in order to enjoy the best weather for the ascent).
Walking time: 5h. Altitude difference: + 500m / -600m. Transfer time: 1h.
Day 5
Queimadas – Caldeirao Verde – Ilha
From the surroundings of Pico das Pedras, a peaceful levada takes you to the bucolic garden of Queimadas. After admiring the flowers of this enchanting garden, you will follow the levada to Caldeiro Verde, where a few small air passages and tunnels await you. Caldeiro Verde is a gigantic natural pot, where a magnificent waterfall rushes into a basin of emerald water. Descent on Ilha through lush vegetation. Transfer and overnight in Porto da Cruz.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Altitude difference: + 50m / -550m. Transfer time: 20 minutes.
Day 6
Achadas do Teixeira- Encumeada
Transfer to Achadas do Texeira. Sublime crossing of Achadas do Teixeira to Encumeada by ridges with omnipresent views on both sides. A true altitude course, perhaps the most beautiful!
Arrival on foot. Installation for 2 nights in a 3 * mountain hotel in Encumeada. Dinner included.
Walking time: 6h. Elevation gain: + 800m / -1100m.
Day 7
Lombo do Mouro – Encumeada
Transfer to Encumeada. Hiking loop to the beautiful Levada Nova, also known as the levada of flowers, lined with heather trees. It dominates the valley of Sao Vicente and in the distance the ocean. Breathtaking views of the North Slope and the surrounding peaks. You will continue to Encumeada pass through tunnels, waterfalls, and finish with the astonishing and refreshing levada do Norte. Night in hotel in Encumeada.
Walking time: 5h. Elevation: +400 m / -600m. Transfer time: 30 minutes
Day 8
Porto Moniz
Free day in Porto Moniz or optional trekking on the Ribera da Janela levada (optional, cost of transfer: 10 €). Night in hotel in Porto Moniz.
Day 9
Achadas da Cruz – Porto Moniz
Transfer to Achada da Cruz, and descent to Calhau, at the edge of a pebble beach dominated by reddish cliffs. You will walk in a labyrinth of vineyards protected by palisades of heather. At certain times, old wine presses can be seen in activity, as well as people tending their vineyards and other crops. Climb through the terraced cultures to Santa, which you will discover by taking a levada and small paved paths sneaking between flowered houses. Back to the hotel by an old paved path overlooking Porto Moniz. Return to the hotel.
Walking time: 4h. Altitude difference: + 600m / – 1000m. Transfer time: 30 minutes.
Day 10
Rabaçal
Transfer to Paul da Serra. Discovery of Rabaçal, in the heart of a preserved nature, where many levadas take their source. Refreshing, they succeed each other on several levels, crossing thick forests of heather trees. You will discover the waterfall of Risco and the circus of 25 fountains. Transfer and overnight in Jardim do Mar.
Walking time: 4h. Altitude difference: + 150m / – 600m. Transfer time: 50mn.
Day 11
Jardim do Mar
Free day
For those wishing to hike, possibility from Jardim do Mar, on the south coast to climb through banana crops up to Prazeres. The view of the coast is beautiful. Here, the villages are more numerous and the landscape totally different from the north coast. Descent through a beautiful gorge to Paul do Mar, a village confined between cliffs and ocean. Overnight in Jardim do Mar.
Walking time: 4h. Altitude difference: + 550m / -550m.
Day 12
Ponta do Sol – Ribeira Brava
Transfer to Lombada da Ponta do Sol. Departure of Solar, manor which was for several centuries the most important of the island. Peaceful hike through terraced gardens, testimony to the hard work of the Madeiran people. Descent to the seaside town of Ribeira Brava, swimming and visiting the city. Transfer and night in Encumeada mountain hotel.
Walking time: 4h. Altitude difference: – 400m. Transfer time: 30 minutes.
Day 13
Encumeada – Pico Grande – Curral das Freiras
Departure on foot. A crossing to the Col de Boca do Cerro (1297m) at the foot of Pico Grande. Nice overview of the peaks previously climbed: Pico do Arieiro, Pico das Torres, Pico Ruivo. The climb to the top of Pico Grande is optional (elevation gain 900m, drop on the descent 1150m). 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 downtown. Free dinner.
Distance: 14km. Altitude difference: + 500m / -650m.
Day 14
Free visit of Funchal and free dinner.
Day 15
Transfer to the airport.