Levadas of Madeira Map and Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive in Madeira

Funchal is the only international airport on the island, so when you land here, on it’s stilted runway over the sea, you will be collected by our local representative and driven out to Machico on the east of the island.

Machico is a tranquil and historical town where the discoverers of Madeira first landed. With its ancient forts, beautiful beach and whitewashed houses, it is an idyllic retreat from which to start your trip.

The community thrives on fishing and agriculture, so you can be sure of some delicious fresh produce when you dine out in one of the excellent restaurants at night.

Overnight: Machico - White Waters

DAY 2 Sao Lourenco Peninsula—8 km

A nice short walking day to start you off, which takes you out onto the Sao Lourenco Peninsula. Not a levada walk today, but one with stunning views of the North and South of the Island.

The peninsula also betrays its volcanic roots with large lava boulders scattering the barren landscape and some bright mineral colours shining out from the cliffs.

There is some steep ascents with loose rock underfoot, so though you will be enjoying the scenery it is wise to check your footing on these sections.

Overnight: Machico - White Waters

DAY 3 Levada Canical—13 km

A transfer after breakfast takes you to the start of the Levada Canical . This levada takes you up around Machico, giving you some wonderful views down into the town. You then walk along the wild, rugged North Coast to Porto da Cruz.

Porto da Cruz gives off the feeling that life slowed to a stop here a long time ago. A beautiful, relaxed retreat from the modern world where you can visit an old sugar cane factory that has not changed since 1927.

Vinho Seco Americano, a dry red wine that is produced locally and can be enjoyed to relax you into the slow pace of this lovely village.

Overnight: Porto da Cruz - Quinta da Capela

DAY 4 Levaca do Castelejo—9km

Today, the scenery begins to change as you are now walking with views over the mountains of the interior, rather than the coast. The unique plant life of the island begins to shine today as you walk through the wilderness of Ribeira Frio with its limpid pools, mimosas and fine leaved laurels.

Overnight: Porto da Cruz - Quinta da Capela

DAY 5 Levada do Caldeiro Verde—18 km

Today is an enchanting walk through the lush emerald green paradise of the ‘Green Cauldron.’ On a levada that cuts tunnels through the mountain you will get to see the beautiful mossy landscapes of Madeira’s most popular trail.

Walking out into the remote area of the Caldeiro Verde is an experience not to be missed and definitely make sure your camera batteries are charged today. After the tunnels and levada walking comes the Cauldron itself, split and formed bay a dramatic, pencil straight waterfall.

Overnight: Santana - Hotel o Colmo

DAY 6 Walking around Santana—10 km

Today you spend the day in and around the lovely town of Santana. There are plenty of attractions here, most noticeably the Palheiros, traditional triangular houses, that remain here.

There is also a Madeiran Theme Park, which gives you a great history of the island, but the town is surrounded by tons of amazing walking. Here you will have your choice of the best walks in the area through the UNESCO world heritage forests that surround the town.

Overnight: Santana - Hotel o Colmo

DAY 7 High Plateau Walking—14 km

Today sees you collected from your hotel after breakfast and transferred up to the Madeiran High Plateau. From here you will spend your day crossing the mountains, though there is no actual climbing, the route is quite undulating today.

Needless to say, the views are absolutely spectacular as you walk down to your resting place in Paul de Serra.

Overnight:Paul da Serra - Hotel Pico da Urze

DAY 8 25 Fontes Walk—13km

From your accommodation, today you will walk down to Rabacal, for the spectacular 25 Fontes Walk. The levada that you walk beside today rises high above you at points, sending cooling drips of water down to refresh you from the tropical climate.

You continue along the side of this ageing levada into the heart of this age-old tropical forest, where eventually you reach your goal, where 25 waterfalls combine to plummet to the ground in front of you.

Overnight:Paul da Serra - Hotel Pico da Urze

DAY 9 Levada Calheta—Ponta do Pargo—15km

Today is a lovely botanical journey, along a levada littered with Agapanthus and Hydrangeas. You will walk in the shade of Eucalyptus and Pine past banks of sweet smelling lilies.

Though gorgeous all year round, the closer to summer you can walk, the better as the colours of the flora erupt to their fullest.

Overnight:Arco da Calheta/Funchal - Estalagem Engenho Velho

DAY 10 Exploring the Coast—13km

Today you have a variety of options. You can take it easy and explore the little town of Calheta with its rum distillery and its gallery, perched high above the town.

Alternatively you can take a taxi along the coast to explore some great coastal walks that we have outlined for you.

The third option is to take last night and tonight's accommodation in Funchal, rather than Arco da Calheta. This gives you a chance to explore the cosmopolitan capital of the island.

Overnight:Arco da Calheta/Funchal - Estalagem Engenho Velho

DAY 11 Depart Funchal

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Funchal airport for your departure.

Optional Nights Funchal

The capital of Madeira is a lovely place to stay and has many attractions making it worth spending a few days here. You can opt to transfer your last two nights of the trip to Funchal, but I would recommend booking a few extra nights here, which we are more than happy to book for you. The two main hotels we use are the Hotel Orquidea and Hotel Windsor

Additional Nights and Extensions

You can add additional nights at any point along the walk.

Tailor Made Holidays

We are always more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what you would like and we will be happy to arrange your tailor made holiday.

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