Around Madeira with Charm

Challenging coastal walks and rugged landscapes

From steep and rugged coasts to green hills and small bathing bays, from cloud forests to sun-drenched banana plantations. The flower island of Madeira offers a varied landscape and a pleasant climate all year round. The dry east, the cool north, the barren mountains, the humid plateau and the sunny south invite you to discover this wonderful island. In every season a wide variety of flowers and trees bloom at different altitudes.

Details about the walking holiday around Madeira with Charm

The circular hiking tour in Madeira starts in the small fishing village of Porto da Cruz on the black sandy beach. Be sure to taste a “poncha”, a drink made with honey, orange juice and sugar cane schnapps. The daily routes run on a variety of hiking trails, some of which can, however, be narrow paths. Sure-footedness and a head for heights is required in some places. You hike an average of five hours a day through this botanical paradise of Madeira.

The highlights of the Madeira with Charm walking tour:

  • Stunning Coastal Views: The impressive North Coast across the Boca do Risco saddle is via an old supply route. Enjoy the view from the spectacular terraces towards Porto da Cruz.

  • Exotic floral splendour: Shady laurel forests, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, line your route.

  • Sea swimming pools made of lava rock: The most beautiful bathing spots can be found in Funchal and Porto Moniz. Tip for snorkelers and divers: The Gulf Stream is home to a variety of tropical species! So don't forget diving goggles!

  • Lively capital Funchal: The city attracts many sights. The Sé Cathedral and the market hall are worth a visit.

Worth knowing about the Madeira with Charm walking tour

Hiking in Madeira means packing multi-purpose clothing. In the north, surrounded by barren mountains and humid plateaus, it is cool. The sunny south impresses with flowers, eucalyptus trees and a diverse culture. The island with 235,000 inhabitants leaves plenty of scope for romantic and idyllic hikes. One of the most beautiful villages in Madeira is "Prazeres". Here you can experience the original life of the islanders.

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.

About our active holidays with charm

With our "Hiking Holidays with Charm," you can enjoy the full service of our active trips and stay in very special accommodations with that certain something and the best location. This means that you can look forward to exquisite furnishings and a design typical of the country, as well as culinary delights at the highest level. Most of our charming hotels also offer spacious pools and wellness areas where you can relax after a nice day of hiking.

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
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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 well-known “poncha”, a local drink made from sugar cane brandy, honey and freshly squeezed orange juice.

After a short transfer to Machico, you will hike along the impressive north coast over the Boca do Risco saddle on an old supply route that was once used to cultivate the vineyards. Today, one of the most beautiful hiking trails along this route leads to Porto da Cruz, where the spectacularly landscaped agricultural terraces still inspire. Enjoy the breathtaking views.

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

The day's stage begins in the traditional town of Santana, known for its typical houses. You climb from the rocky sea shore, past small gardens with wine, sugar cane, vegetables and fruit up to a vantage point, full of panoramic views. Here you can see the entire north coast from Porto Moniz to the Ponta de Sao Lourenco and when the weather is nice, the neighbouring island of Porto Santo to the north. The wonderful royal levada then leads you through jungle-like vegetation to the waterfall and the springs of the Ribeiro Bonito.

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

Transfer to the mountains to the Paul da Serra plateau. Today's hike brings you closer to the green mountains of Madeira. You hike over the mountain ranges on promising paths and walk through shady laurel forests, which are part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. A great hiking trail takes you through colourful blooming gorse bushes to Fanal, a fairytale forest and pasture area: skewed trees, lichen-covered trees, green plains and grazing highland cattle create a particularly mystical atmosphere. In the afternoon you will reach the coastal town of Porto Moniz with a beautiful view of the azure blue sea. The lovely place is known for its natural swimming pools, which the ocean has carved out of black lava rock.

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

Today you hike along the southwest coast over the green hills, which then drop steeply into the sea. In this part of the island, you can experience the original life of the islanders, especially Prazeres is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Madeira. On your hiking route through the fragrant eucalyptus forest, you will see wild callas, amaryllis and agapanthus again and again. You will stay overnight in the lively coastal town of Calheta with its fine sandy beach and elegant marina.

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

Short transfer along the south coast before heading up to the scenic Levada do Norte, the longest and widest levada in the south. You walk through typical cultivated terrace areas and discover a wide variety of fruits in the gardens. Passing above small towns like Quinta Grande and Campanario, it goes to Cabo Girao, the highest cliff in Europe. From there you have a fantastic view of the terraced fields below you and the coast up to the capital Funchal.

ca. 5 hours
15 km
250 m
150 m

The cable car takes you to the pilgrimage site of Monte, high above Funchal. After a visit to the church of Nossa Senhora do Monte, you can watch the fast-paced basket sled drivers before you start your eventful final stage. With a wonderful view of the Funchal coast, your route will take you once more through the subtropical island vegetation and back to the capital. You should definitely visit the magnificent botanical garden, which will bring you closer to the island's exotic flora on 35,0000 m2.

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, however, be narrow paths in part. Many hikes lead along the coast and also along levadas (irrigation channels), for which sure-footedness and a head for heights are required on some sections. You need to be in good physical condition for hikes of up to 5 hours.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights

Price calculation and check availability: Around Madeira with Charm

Place of arrival: Porto da Cruz
  Season 1
06.01.2024 - 09.03.2024
27.10.2024 - 07.12.2024

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Season 2
10.03.2024 - 25.05.2024
29.09.2024 - 26.10.2024

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Season 3
26.05.2024 - 28.09.2024

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Around Madeira with Charm, PO-MAWPF-08D
Base price
1,029.00
1,199.00
1,189.00
Single room surcharge 519.00 519.00 519.00

 

Hotel information: You stay in selected hotels with special "extras" and can really enjoy all the facilities of the charming accommodations.

Season 1
Jan 6, 2024 - Mar 9, 2024
Oct 27, 2024 - Dec 7, 2024
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Season 2
Mar 10, 2024 - May 25, 2024
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Season 3
May 26, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Around Madeira with Charm, PO-MAWPF-08D
Base price
Single room surcharge
1,029.00
519.00
1,199.00
519.00
1,189.00
519.00

 

Hotel information: You stay in selected hotels with special "extras" and can really enjoy all the facilities of the charming accommodations.

Season 1
Jan 6, 2024 - Mar 9, 2024
Oct 27, 2024 - Dec 7, 2024
Season 2
Mar 10, 2024 - May 25, 2024
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024
Season 3
May 26, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024
Porto da Cruz
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
Funchal
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
65.00
49.00
85.00
79.00
65.00
49.00
99.00
79.00
65.00
49.00
109.00
79.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Porto da Cruz
  Season 1
Jan 6, 2024 - Mar 9, 2024
Oct 27, 2024 - Dec 7, 2024

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Season 2
Mar 10, 2024 - May 25, 2024
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 26, 2024

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Season 3
May 26, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Porto da Cruz
Double room p.p 65.00 65.00 65.00
Single room surcharge 49.00 49.00 49.00
Funchal
Double room p.p 85.00 99.00 109.00
Single room surcharge 79.00 79.00 79.00
Prices per person in GBP

Included services and travel information

Services

Included:

  • Overnight stays as stated
  • breakfast
  • luggage transfer
  • Personal tour information (DE, EN)
  • Transfers according to the program
  • 1 bus ride Cabo Girao – Funchal

 

  • 1 ascent cable car Monte/Funchal
  • Well-planned route guidance
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (DE, EN)
  • Navigation app and GPS data available
  • Service hotline
Infos

Arrival / Departure:

  • Funchal Airport. Travel by bus to Porto da Cruz in approx. 30 minutes or a short taxi ride approx. €30 per trip.
  • Return journey by bus from Funchal to the airport in about 1 hour. Ride by taxi approx. € 30. Travel time approx. 30 minutes.

Important information:

  • Visitor's tax, if due are not included in the travel price
  • Special dates on request

Accommodation

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