Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:

Around Madeira

Unique coastal walks and floral scenes

The island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean offers a colourful variety for botanists, hikers and vacationers. In eight days you will explore the versatile island from Porto da Cruz to the capital Funchal. You will walk through the plateau of Paul da Serra, seeking shade in the laurel forests and taking a relaxing dip in the natural pools of black lava rock.

Details about the walking holiday in Madeira

The tour in Madeira starts in the small fishing village of Porto da Cruz on the black sand beach. Be sure to try a "Poncha," a drink made from honey, orange juice, and sugar cane brandy. The daily routes run on varied hiking trails, which can sometimes also be narrow paths. In some places, you should certainly not be afraid of heights and stand firm. The daily walks during your tour of Madeira's botanical paradise are an average of five hours a day.

The highlights of this walking holiday at a glance:

  • Breathtaking views of the coast: Walk along the impressive north coast via Boca do Risco leads over an old supply route. Enjoy the view from the spectacular terraces of Porto da Cruz

  • Exotic floral splendour: Explore shady laurel forests, part of the UNESCO World Heritage, that accompany you on your route

  • Lava stone sea pools: The most beautiful places to swim can be found in Funchal and Porto Moniz. Tip for snorkelers and divers: the Gulf Stream is home to tropical biodiversity! So don't forget your mask!

  • Vibrant capital Funchal: The city has many attractions. The Sé Cathedral and the Market Hall are well worth a visit.

Things to know about hiking in Madeira

Walking in Madeira also means packing multifunctional clothes. In the north, surrounded by barren mountains and humid plateaus, it is cool. The sunny south impresses with flowers, eucalyptus trees and diverse cultures. The island of 235,000 inhabitants leaves plenty of room for romantic and idyllic art walks. One of the most beautiful villages in Madeira is Prazeres. 

Here you will experience the original life of the islanders. Why not hop in a sleigh made of wicker trees and make the rapid descent from Monte to Funchal?

Route summary

Daily routes along well-built and very diverse paths, which can however sometimes be on narrow paths. Lots of paths run along the coastline and also along Levadas (irrigation canals), where a head for heights and sure-footedness are essential in some sections. You will need a good level of fitness for this waking holiday when the walks may take max. 5 hours.

This tour has been graded as Challenging. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
Challenging
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 81 km
Active on Holiday Team
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
To the online version
QR-Code

Itinerary

In the small fishing village of Porto da Cruz, you can relax on the black sand beach. You can also visit one of the last sugar cane mills where you can taste the famous "poncha", a local drink made from sugar cane brandy, honey and freshly squeezed orange juice.

After a short transfer to Machico, you will walk along the impressive north coast on 'the saddle of Boca do Risco' via an old supply route that used to work the vineyards. Today one of the most beautiful paths along this route leads to Porto da Cruz, where the spectacularly landscaped terraces still inspire. Enjoy the breathtaking view.

ca. 4,5 to 5 hours
15 km
550 m
550 m

In the traditional village of Santana, known for its typical houses, the route starts on this day. With panoramic views from the rocky coast, past small gardens with vines, sugar cane, vegetables and fruits, climb to the lookout point. Here you look out over the entire north coast from Porto Moniz to Ponta de São Lourenco and in good weather, you can see the neighbouring island of Porto Santo to the north. The beautiful King Levada then leads you through jungle-like vegetation to the waterfall and springs of Ribiero Bonito.

ca. 4,5 to 5 hours
15 km
650 m
150 m

Transfer to the mountains to the plateau of Paul da Serra. Today's walk will bring you closer to the green mountainous area of ​​Madeira. Along paths with scenic views, you will walk on the mountain ridges and pass shady laurel forests, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. A great hiking trail leads you through colourful flowering gorse bushes to Fanal, a fairytale forest and meadow area: wind piles, lichen trees, green plains and grazing by Highland cattle create a very special and mystical atmosphere. In the afternoon you will reach the seaside town of Porto Moniz with a beautiful view of the azure sea. This charming place is known for its natural pools of black lava rocks formed by the ocean.

ca. 3,5 to 4 hours
11 km
150 m
350 m

Today you walk along the southwest coast over the green hills, which then steeply into the sea. In this part of the island, you will experience the original life of the islanders, especially Prazeres is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Madeira. On your walk through the fragrant eucalyptus forest, you will see the wild Callas, Amaryllis and Agapanthus again and again. Overnight stay in the lively coastal town of Calheta with a fine sandy beach and an elegant marina.

ca. 4,5 to 5 hours
17 km
50 m
650 m

Short transfer along the south coast before heading to the spectacular Levada do Norte, the longest and widest Levada in the south. You walk through typically cultivated terraces and discover the most varied fruits in the gardens. Via small towns such as Quinta Grande and Campanario, you reach Cabo Girao, the highest rock in Europe. From there you have a fantastic view of the terraced fields below you and the coast to the capital Funchal.

ca. 5 hours
15 km
250 m
150 m

The funicular takes you to the pilgrimage town of Monte, high above Funchal. After visiting the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, watch the lightning-fast riders on the toboggan, made of reed sledges, before starting your varied final stage. With stunning views of the Funchal coast, your way leads through the subtropical island vegetation and back to the capital. Be sure to visit the beautiful botanical garden, which brings you closer to the exotic plant world of the 740 km2 island.

ca. 3 hours
8 km
100 m
550 m

Route information

The daily routes run along good and above all very varied hiking trails, which can sometimes be very narrow. Many walks take you along the coast and along levadas (irrigation canals), fear of heights and weak knees you can not use in some parts. A good basic condition is necessary for daily walks of up to 5 hours.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights


Complete a Booking Request: Around Madeira

Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:
Place of arrival: Porto da Cruz
  Season 1
07.01.2023 - 11.03.2023
29.10.2023 - 09.12.2023

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
12.03.2023 - 27.05.2023
01.10.2023 - 28.10.2023

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
28.05.2023 - 30.09.2023

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Around Madeira, PO-MAWPF-08A
Base price
779.00
829.00
909.00
Half board surcharge 229.00 229.00 229.00
Single room surcharge 349.00 349.00 349.00
  • You will stay in carefully selected 4**** Hotels, except in Porto da Cruz where you will stay in a charming 2** Hotel
Season 1
Jan 7, 2023 - Mar 11, 2023
Oct 29, 2023 - Dec 9, 2023
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
Mar 12, 2023 - May 27, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 - Oct 28, 2023
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
May 28, 2023 - Sep 30, 2023
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Around Madeira, PO-MAWPF-08A
Base price
Half board surcharge
Single room surcharge
779.00
229.00
349.00
829.00
229.00
349.00
909.00
229.00
349.00
  • You will stay in carefully selected 4**** Hotels, except in Porto da Cruz where you will stay in a charming 2** Hotel
Season 1
Jan 7, 2023 - Mar 11, 2023
Oct 29, 2023 - Dec 9, 2023
Season 2
Mar 12, 2023 - May 27, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 - Oct 28, 2023
Season 3
May 28, 2023 - Sep 30, 2023
Porto da Cruz
Double room p.p.
Single room surcharge
Funchal
Double room p.p.
Single room surcharge
55.00
25.00
79.00
65.00
55.00
25.00
79.00
65.00
55.00
25.00
99.00
65.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Porto da Cruz
  Season 1
Jan 7, 2023 - Mar 11, 2023
Oct 29, 2023 - Dec 9, 2023

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Season 2
Mar 12, 2023 - May 27, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 - Oct 28, 2023

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Season 3
May 28, 2023 - Sep 30, 2023

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Porto da Cruz
Double room p.p. 55.00 55.00 55.00
Single room surcharge 25.00 25.00 25.00
Funchal
Double room p.p. 79.00 79.00 99.00
Single room surcharge 65.00 65.00 65.00
Prices per person in GBP

Services / Information

Services

Including

  • 7 nights as described, including breakfast
  • Transfers according to program
  • Cabo Girao-Funchal bus ride
  • Funchal-Monte . funicular
  • Tobbogan ride Monte-Funchal
  • Luggage transfer(s)
  • Travel folder 1 x per room (German, English with route and overview maps, detailed route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, luggage labels)
  • Own signage on the route
  • GPS data available on request
  • Service Hotline

Not included

  • Tourist tax, if applicable, to be paid locally
  • Flight
Arrival information
  • Airport: Funchal Airport, by bus in approx. 30 min. to Porto da Cruz or by taxi approx. €30 one way
  • Departure: Bus Funchal Airport approx. 1 hour, by taxi approx. €30. Travel time approx. 30 minutes
General information
  • Half board: Dinner in the hotel restaurant or in a restaurant in the immediate vicinity with a voucher
Sample hotel list

This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.

Porto da Cruz

Hotel Costa Linda 2**

www.costa-linda.net

Sao Vicente

Hotel Calamar

www.calamarhotel.com

Porto Moniz

Aqua Natura Bay Hotel 4****

www.aquanaturahotels.com

Calheta

Hotel Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa 5*****

www.savoysignature.com/saccharumhotel

Funchal

Four Views Baía 4****

www.fourviewshotels.com

 

Why book with Active on Holiday?