8 Days & 7 Nights

4.8

Madeira: The Flower Island

Explore Funchal’s cobbled streets and browse its flower market
Swim in the natural pools formed by lava in Porto da Cruz
Follow the network of 'Levadas', the ingenious irrigation channels of Madeira
Admire the vibrant orchids, birds of paradise, magnolias and azaleas
Pass through sleepy wine villages, sampling food and wine along the way

Madeira is full of contrasts, from the colonial charm of its white-washed towns and villages to its rugged and dramatic unspoilt coastline. This sub-tropical paradise offers hiking like nowhere else, with a lush forested interior, pretty lagoons surrounded by waterfalls, wild beaches framed by mountains and jagged cliffs, and an explosion of colours from its flora and fauna. Follow the island's unique network of levadas (traditional irrigation channels) and pass through sleepy wine villages, sampling the island's renowned food and wine along the way.

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Funchal and transfer to Santa Cruz

Upon arrival, you'll be picked up for your very short transfer to Santa Cruz, which is located on the east coast of the island. Santa Cruz is the vibrant capital city of Madeira right on the coast and is known for its beautiful pebble beach, Praia das Palmeiras.

Overnight Santa Cruz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Solar do Bom Jesus | 4 Star | Hotel

A modern and friendly 4* hotel located near Palmeiras Beach. Relax at the end of the day in their rooftop swimming pool with wonderful views.

Day 2 The São Lourenço Peninsula 4.5 miles / 7.3 km

Today’s walk takes in the beautiful Sao Lourenco Peninsula, a dry and sunny corner of Madeira, which contrasts with the lushness of the rest of the island. You will be transferred to Canical after breakfast where you will begin the walk. Today is a fantastic introduction to Madeira, with stunning seascapes and views to the north and south, including the Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands).

This is also a great place for bird watching, as many species pass through on their migratory routes. A private transfer will pick you up at the end of the day and transfer you back to your hotel in Santa Cruz.

Ascent: 490m (1,607ft)/Descent: 490m (1,607ft)

Overnight Santa Cruz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Solar do Bom Jesus | 4 Star | Hotel

A modern and friendly 4* hotel located near Palmeiras Beach. Relax at the end of the day in their rooftop swimming pool with wonderful views.

Day 3 Levada do Caniçal to Porto da Cruz 7.7 miles / 12.4 km

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Levada Canica. Follow the levada along the wild, rugged northern coast to Porto da Cruz, a relaxed and charming village that produces an excellent dry red wine ‘Seco Americano’.

At the end of the walk, a taxi transfer is arranged to take you to Santana, a lovely village, characterised by its small thatched triangular houses, called "palheiros".

Ascent: 225m (738 ft)/Descent: 420m (1,378ft)

For this walk, 2 options are available. Option 2 starts in Machico town center and has a total distance of 15.6km. The trail reaches the standard walk starting point, at 3.18km.

Alternative Walk: Ascent: 425m (1,394ft)/Descent: 425m (1,394ft)

Overnight Santana

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Quinta do Furão | 4 Star | Hotel

Standing on a cliff top in Santana in 5 hectares of grounds, the Quinta do Furao is a beautiful hotel which blends harmoniously with the landscape. Enjoy meals in their restaurant offering a balanced blend of typical Madeira gastronomy and international cuisine, tending to use organic and local products, whilst taking in views of the sea and mountains.

Solar de Boaventura | 3 Star | Hotel

A small cosy manor house surrounded by a beautiful garden with a relaxing area including a jacuzzi and a swimming pool.

Day 4 Levada Walk Caldeirão Verde 9 miles / 14 km

After breakfast a private transfer brings you to Pico das Pedras, from where you embark on your enchanting walk following trails through the lush emerald green paradise of Madeira's interior. Then arrive at the "Green Cauldron", which is split by a dramatic waterfall. Upon reaching Ilha, you meet your taxi transfer back to your hotel in Santana, where you can look forward to a relaxing evening.

Ascent: 650m (2,132ft)/Descent: 1150m (3,773ft)

Alternatively, you can start the walk in Ilha and walk to Pico das Pedras, to avoid the long descent. The total distance is 13.2km (8,2miles).

Alternative Walk: Ascent: 1060m (3,478ft)/Descent: 670m (2,198ft)

Overnight Santana

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Quinta do Furão | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 5 Paul da Serra and Levada do Norte to Encumeada 8.4 miles / 13.4 km

Begin with a private transfer to Bica da Cana, leaving behind Santana and its fairytale cottages for the desert plateau of Paul da Serra, in the centre of the island. Whilst walking on the Levada do Norte you can enjoy impressive views over the Sao Vicente Valley, walking past cultivated terraces. As it can be foggy after mid mornings in this area, start the walk early.

Don't forget to bring your head torch today as you have navigate your way through numerous tunnels to reach the Encumeada pass. It is here that you will find the Hotel Encumeada, nestled on the slopes of the Ribeira Brava Valley.

Ascent: 155m (508ft)/Descent: 900m (2,953ft)

Overnight Ribeira Brava

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Estalagem Encumeada | Hotel

The views from Hotel Encumeada’s balconies are simply incredible, particularly when the clouds sink like a soft blanket into the valley below. Enjoy a delicious meal at the restaurant; perhaps a specialty of the mountain region—lamb and roast suckling pig, accompanied by sweet potatoes, rice and fresh salads.

Hotel Euro Moniz

The hotel which is opened since 2001 is loacated about 200 metres from the famous natural pools of Porto Moniz, considered to be one of the most beautiful natural pools in Portugal.

Hotel Salgueiro | 3 Star

Day 6 Encumeada to Fajã Escura Walk 7.9 miles / 12.7 km

From the Residencial Encumeada, a short steep climb leads you to the first track of the day, which is gently undulating. This walk crosses beneath the Pico Grande and through a valley, which, until the 1950s was completely isolated. Eventually the path descends rapidly in a series of hair pin bends and ending in the hamlet of Faja Escura. From here a taxi transfer takes you to your accommodation in Funchal.

Ascent: 700m (2,297ft)/Descent: 900m (2,953ft)

There is the option to climb to Pico Grande. A reasonable level of fitness is required, as well as a head for heights. This involves an extra 350m of elevation and descent.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to a wildfire in September 2024 the walk from Encumeada to Faja Escura is currently closed. You can do an alternative 6.7km walk, a scenic ancient trail that joins the standard walk at Relvinha Pass, facing Madeira's highest mountains range. A steep descent slides down to the first houses of Fajã Escura. A transfer will be arranged to take you to the start of this walk locally.

Alternative Walk: Ascent: 170m (557ft)/Descent: 731m (2,398ft)

Overnight Funchal

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Quintinha São João Hotel & Spa

The elegant rooms offer Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and DVD players, as well as minibars, desks and sitting areas with sofabeds. There are gardens, a restaurant and a bar. Other amenities include outdoor and indoor pools, plus a gym, a spa, a hot tub and a sauna.

Day 7 Boa Morte to Cabo Girão & Câmara de Lobos 9.3 miles / 15 km

A transfer brings you to the edge of the village of Boa Morte, where you once again join the Levada do Norte as it winds its way through eucalyptus, sweet chestnut and pine trees, above the cultivated fields of the alluvial plain. The sights and sounds of village life greet you from below as you pass high above the villages of Corugeria, Campanario and Quinto Grande.

Finally, after traversing a short tunnel (there is an option to avoid this tunnel if you wish), you work your way up to Cabo Girao with its spectacular cliffs and after taking in the views, you have the option of continuing down the steep valley sides to the quaint fishing village of Camara do Lobos, where you can enjoy a beer or a coffee in one of the many harbour side cafes, before returning to Funchal.

Ascent: 60m (197ft)/Descent: 610m (2,001ft)

Overnight Funchal

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Quintinha São João Hotel & Spa

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 17kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 17kg is equivalent to 100 cans of coke. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Madeira is the ideal walking getaway. On this exceptional island you can experience incredibly scenic walking alongside levadas, and along coastal trails, constantly surrounded by an abundance of lush foliage and colourful blooms. It is a nature-lovers paradise and you’ll also love the relaxed friendliness and charm of the local people. Due to the nature of the terrain, we do not recommend this trip if you're a vertigo sufferer.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands

Winter Sun

Grade & Terrain

This walking tour is graded as moderate, with distances ranging from 7 to 15 km (5 to 9 mi). Most days involve some elevation changes, with gains up to 700m (2,297ft) and losses up to 900m (2,953ft). However, the elevation is often less than this;specific details can be found in your route notes. Some days also offer alternate routes, so be sure to check the notes for options.

To fully enjoy the experience, we recommend practicing walks with some ups and downs before your trip.

The routes primarily follow 'levadas' but also include stony trails, forest paths, and cliff-top sections. Some paths have steep, unprotected drops, so this tour isn’t suitable for those with vertigo. Walking poles are advised for added stability.

Walking along Madeira's cliff sections can feel exposed with narrow paths hugging the dramatic coastline, offering far-reaching views of the Atlantic. The walking demands focus and sure footing, as some areas lack barriers, and the wind can be brisk, enhancing the sense of exposure. The reward of panoramic vistas and the unique sense of connection to nature make it worthwhile. For safety, it’s essential to choose appropriate trails and go prepared with sturdy footwear.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights in 3* and 4* hotels & guesthouses
7 Breakfasts
4 Dinners (days 2, 3, 4 and 5)
Baggage Transfers
Transfers to and from Funchal Airport
Transfer to and from the walks as described in the itinerary
Local hiking fees (for PR-trails only)
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
24/7 support from our local partner and the UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to and from Funchal
Lunches
Local buses where necessary
Drinks and Snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Madeira Implements Hiking Fees to Protect Trails

Madeira is introducing a new hiking fee system for non-resident visitors. Seven of the island’s most popular trails will now require a fee to help maintain and preserve these beautiful paths. To make things easier, we’ve included tickets for hikes that require an entrance fee, so you can enjoy a smooth experience.

It’s a small step to help protect these natural treasures for future generations.

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack. It is a good idea to bring hiking boots with good grips. Always bring a warm outer garment for walks on the caldera rims and ridges as it is can get cooler at the higher elevations. we highly recommend a head torch for the tunnel sections.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you have suitable travel insurance that covers you for cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury.