Walking in Madeira (TM): 7-Nights

Our trip begins in Santana a beautiful village on the north coast. Home to Madeira's famed 'Bordado da Madeira' (embroidery) and traditional thatched 'A' frame houses known as 'palheiros'. For those arriving on time, your tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Madeira Airport (FNC), which is around 30 minutes' drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. Tonight you might like to try one of fresh seafood dishes that Madeira is known for, such as tuna with fried maize or black scabbard with fried banana, and for dessert perhaps enjoy a taste of passionfruit pudding.

This morning we drive through a peaceful agricultural area, where the rich soil helps to yield up to three crops yearly, to the starting point of today's walk in Machico. We follow a levada (irrigation canal), weaving through a rural landscape where small plots are planted with various fruits and vegetables grow side by side with exotic forests. We follow the path to Boca do Risco, one of the most beautiful natural viewpoints on the east side of the island. From here we walk along the cliff tops, with fine panoramic views and wildlife spotting opportunities including the Madeira Firecrest, an endemic bird species on the islands and a vast array of beautiful plants. The walk finishes at Porto da Cruz. From here we drive back to Santana, stopping at a sugar cane factory and rum distillery for an optional tasting of this dark nectar! Today's eight kilometre trek is expected to take around three hours with 100 metres of ascent and descent. The cliff-side path is narrow in places, with small exposed sections without railing protection where care needs to be taken.

This morning we drive up to Boaventure, a hamlet of houses perched on the hillside at the top of the valley. The trail begins with almost two hundred meters of incline, the rest is relatively flat, taking us from the top of the valley and winding down towards the coast. We walk to a hidden waterfall before entering the thick, lush UNESCO protected laurel forest and follow the Levada dos Tornos. The Levada dos Tornos is one of the most important levadas that passes through a large part of Madeira to bring water from the island's north to its southern, drier areas. At breaks in the trees we will be afforded sweeping views of the valley, the cliff-side levada becoming more scenic as the views down to the coast open up. From Faja do Penedo our vehicle takes us along the scenic north coast to Porto Moniz. The 16 kilometre stretch of road from Sao Vicente to Porto Moniz took 16 years to complete and was built entirely by hand! Porto Moniz has unusual rock pools, created by volcanic activity. In summer the sun warms the trapped sea water making them excellent places to swim or simply bask after a day's walking. When the weather is rougher, the waves crash dramatically over the seawall and it is hard to believe that the rock pools really exist! Today's 13 kilometre trek is expected to take around five hours with 280 metres of ascent and descent. There are several small sections of the hill-side levada without railing protection where particular care needs to be taken.

Today's walk starts at Rabaçal from where we follow the Levada do Alecrim (rosemary), one of the most beautiful levadas of Madeira. Along the trail we can enjoy the variety of endemic flora and take in amazing views down into the Rabaçal and Ribeira da Janela valleys. Continuing our hike, we reach the majestic Lagoa do Vento, a river basin formed by the water falling from the top of the cliff, coming from the Ribeira do Lajeado. After a rest and perhaps a swim, we have an hour walking amongst the laurel forest to reach the House of Rabaçal where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we follow the Levada do Risco to the waterfall that feeds it. After enjoying this magnificent viewpoint we continue to the 800 metre Tunel dos Cavaleiros through which the beautiful valley of Calheta and the sea is visible. Today's 12 kilometre trek is expected to take around five hours with 475 metres of descent.

Today we drive to the south coast of the island, making a stop at Ponta do Vigia, the westernmost tip of the island. The lighthouse here stands on the cliffs 300 metres above the waves. Built in 1922, it houses a small museum containing exhibits on the lighthouses of Madeira. Our walk today begins from Lombada, just inland from Ponta de Sol. We follow the Levada Nova, guiding us round the hillside with views over the coastline and villages of Ribeira Brava. The landscape here gives us a great insight into local livelihoods and traditions, passing banana plantations, cultivated fields and colourful endemic flora, which the tour leader will point out along the route. The walk ends in Ribeira Brava, where we can stop for a refreshment. From here the bus takes us onto Funchal with a stop at Miradouro do Tanque. Funchal takes its name from 'funcho', meaning fennel and according to local legend, when Zarco landed here in 1419, he named this spot after the abundance of the herb he found. Visiting sailors used to call the city 'Little Lisbon' because of the grandeur of its cathedral and the buildings that line its harbour. Our hotel for the last three nights is Hotel do Carmo which is a 3 stars hotel right in Funchal's city center, with an ideal position to discover the city's main points of interest. This hotel is a very good example of late nineteen sixties interior design, which confers it an identity and style of its own. On the last floor there's an outdoor swimming pool with a wonderful view over the bay and the surrounding mountains. Today's 10 kilometre trek is expected to take around four hours with 50 metres of ascent and descent. There are several small sections of the hill-side levada without railing protection.

This morning there is the option for your tour leader to guide an hour's orientation walk around the old town or explore on your own. Discover the narrow, cobbled lanes, passing renovated fishermen's cottages, restaurants and art and craft shops. Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores, farmers market, or an Madeiran embroidery workshop. Take time to admire the art work painted on the doors of oldest street, Rua de Santa Maria. There is the opportunity to visit the Brady's wine cellar and taste the different varieties of Madeira wine, the famous fortifies wine produced in the island since the 17th century. In the afternoon there is choice of activities. You could take a half day cruise and try your luck searching for whales and dolphins. You may simply wish to enjoy more time exploring Funchal, strolling through the botanic gardens and finishing the afternoon with tea at the venerable and atmospheric Reids Palace Hotel for a touch of turn of the century opulence. You may also wish to take the cable car up to the tropical gardens at Monte.

Today's walk starts at Pico Arieiro (1,862m). From here we follow the trail to the summit of Pico Ruivo (1,862m), Madeira's highest point, where on a clear day we are rewarded with stunning views down over the island. This route includes walking part of the famous Balcony Walk and passes through several tunnels (a torch is necessary) including the Túnel do Pico do Gato. This walk can be more challenging than the previous walks, and there are some short, steep sections involving stone steps and metal staircases. From the pico we descend to Achada de Texeira (1,542m) before returning by minibus to the island's capital. The old part of town has many restaurants where you can try Espada, a long flat fish unique to the waters around Madeira (and some islands in Japan). This fish has very large eyes and can live at depths below 800m. The Madeirans serve it with banana, which is a delicious combination! Perhaps the best way to spend the evening is on the harbour front, sampling a glass of the famous Madeira wine, enjoyed by many throughout the ages, including Sir Winston Churchill. Today's 11 kilometre trek is expected to take around five-and-a-half hours with 320 metres of ascent and descent. This walk can be more challenging than the previous walks, and may not be suitable for those afraid of heights. There are some short, steep sections involving stone steps, three metal staircases and small sections with steep drops offs to the sides. There are handrails/wire sides at these points and your tour leader will be there to support you. *Please note that the walk from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo can be closed in bad weather. In this case your tour leader will offer you the best alternative walk for the weather and the group.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Funchal. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Funchal at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Madeira Airport (FNC), which a 25 minutes' drive.