Walking the Island of Madeira

Portugal’s hiking paradise: Explore wild coastal paths and mountain trails on the Pearl of the Atlantic

Walking the Island of Madeira

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Trip Fee

$ 3.150

Single Room Difference

$ 675

Date

27 December 2025 - 03 January 2026

Trip Information

Volcanic, wild, diverse − Madeira is a heaven for walkers. Staying in four-star hotels throughout, we experience the most beautiful routes on this Portuguese island, from gentle strolls along flower-lined levadas (centuries-old waterways) and spectacular coastal footpaths to more demanding forays among the jagged ridges and peaks of the mountainous interior. There’s also time to relax by the sea, see waves crash close to shore in Porto Moniz and discover the historic importance of Funchal, an old trade hub for sugar and wine.

Activity Areas

Coastal Walks
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers
Walking & Trekking Bestsellers

Region & Country & City

Europe: Madeira, Portugal

Included in the Price


- All breakfasts and three dinners
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Arrival and departure transfers

Not Included In The Price


- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation Information


- Accommodation: 5 Superior nights (hotels), 2 Classic nights (hotels)
- Five days walking; one free day
- Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 18

Itinerary

Day 1 Adventure starts in Santa Cruz

Begin your adventure in Santa Cruz, a coastal town on Madeira’s east side known for its long seafaring history and proximity to the island’s volcanic shoreline. Around 6pm, say olá to your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour nights through your sales representative. Your tour leader then ensures a warm Madeiran welcome by arranging a group dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Solar do Bom Jesus (or similar)

Day 2 Walk to Ponta de São Lourenço, a rocky peninsula with ocean views for miles

Rise early to walk the classic route along the Ponta de São Lourenço during its most peaceful period. Although challenging in parts, this path takes us through fantastic scenery as we admire wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist the windy environment and grow in soils with high salinity levels. Rocks, sculptured by nature, have a great diversity of colours ranging from black to red, and are in stark contrast to the blue of the ocean. Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha. We return to our hotel in the afternoon, and there is free time to explore. Accommodation: Hotel Solar do Bom Jesus (or similar)

Day 3 Spectacular walk along the north coast path to the village of Porto da Cruz

This morning, we take a transfer and walk a scenic route along a cliff trail on the north coast. We set off along the little Levada do Caniçal, more modest and quieter than yesterday’s path, then begin a gradual climb to the crest of the cliffs at Boca do Risco, where we enjoy amazing views along the north coast. We then head west along the coastal path: a spectacular route, in many places cut right into the cliff. We finally descend to Porto da Cruz, once a bustling port but now a sleepy, picturesque village. Time permitting (and if open), we have a short look around a factory that has been producing Madeira rum for several centuries. Later, we transfer to Porto Moniz for the night. Accommodation: Hotel Aqua Natura Bay (or similar)

Day 4 Hike through the natural heart of Madeira, tracing the Levada dos Tornos

Begin today’s walk in the remote village of Falca de Cima, following cobblestone paths. These lead us to the Levada dos Tornos, one of Madeira’s key irrigation channels carrying water from the north to the south. The route continues beside the levada through rich greenery, where endemic plants and birdlife thrive. A simple forestry house provides a natural pause before we descend a broad dirt track to the trail’s end – a rewarding journey through the natural heart of Madeira. Accommodation: Hotel Aqua Natura Bay (or similar)

Day 5 Hike through the mystical Fanal Forest

Our walk today starts on the Paul da Serra plateau and ends at the World Natural Heritage site of Fanal Forest. We walk via open landscapes with fabulous views over the Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira valleys, and through the largest surviving area of laurisilva forest on the planet (believed to be 90 percent primary forest). We end the hike at the fairytale Fanal Forest, a small volcanic crater filled with twisted trees and often shrouded in mist. Many of the ocotea foetens trees here predate the founding of Madeira in 1419, and we take time to absorb the unique energy of the forest before returning to Porto Moniz. Accommodation: Hotel Aqua Natura Bay (or similar)

Day 6 To Funchal • Free day to explore the city or join an optional whale-watching excursion

After a morning transfer (approximately one hour) via the mountainous interior, today is free for you to explore Funchal, the island capital and our base for the final two nights of the trip. The city is easily explored on foot and sites of interest include Sé Cathedral, built between 1493 and 1514, and the imposing statue of Madeira founder, João Gonçalves Zarco, on Avenida Arriaga. Alternatively, take the cable car to Monte Palace and Tropical Gardens to enjoy fascinating installations and magnificent views over the city, learn about the production of Madeira's ever-popular wine at Blandy's Wine Lodge, or join a whale-watching tour to spot some of the 28 whale and dolphin species that grace Madeira's waters throughout the year. Accommodation: Hotel Quinta Perestrello (or similar)

Day 7 Summit Pico Arieiro for sunrise • To the top of Pico Ruivo

Today we embark on the most strenuous walk of the trip. We depart early to reach the third highest mountain on the island, Pico Arieiro (5,965ft/1,818m), in time for sunrise, then continue to Pico Ruivo (6,109ft/1,862m), the highest peak, for more fantastic views. We finish by taking the 1.9mi (3km) path to Achado do Teixeira. The path has lots of ascents and descents along the way, but the memorable scenery is ample reward. At the end of the walk, we transfer back to Funchal. Please note: On occasion, the route to Pico Ruivo may be closed due to mudslides or inclement weather. Our guide will always try to offer another route up to Pico Ruivo, but if this is not possible, an alternative walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela will be available. This route traverses native forest and offers wonderful coastal views. *Due to forest fires in August 2024, the route between Pico Arieiro and Pico Ruivo is closed and we do not have a scheduled date when this will re-open. Currently it is possible to still take the same route to Pico Arieiro and instead we will also trek to Pico do Cedro (5,770ft/1,759m) and Curral Martinho (5,856ft/1,785m), giving impressive views over Curral das Freiras and the highlands of Funchal. Accommodation: Hotel Quinta Perestrello (or similar)

Day 8 Adventure ends in Funchal

The trip ends in Funchal after breakfast. Hop into your free transfer to the airport. Or, if you’d like a little longer on the island, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Travel Dates

27 December 2025 - 03 January 2026 $ 3.150

03 - 10 January 2026 $ 3.000

31 January - 07 February 2026 $ 3.150

21 - 28 February 2026 $ 3.000

28 February - 07 March 2026 $ 3.000

14 - 21 March 2026 $ 3.000

28 March - 04 April 2026 $ 3.150

04 - 11 April 2026 $ 3.000

11 - 18 April 2026 $ 3.150

09 - 16 May 2026 $ 3.150

16 - 23 May 2026 $ 3.150

23 - 30 May 2026 $ 3.000

06 - 13 June 2026 $ 3.150

13 - 20 June 2026 $ 3.000

04 - 11 July 2026 $ 3.000

29 August - 05 September 2026 $ 3.000

12 - 19 September 2026 $ 3.000

19 - 26 September 2026 $ 3.000

26 September - 03 October 2026 $ 3.000

03 - 10 October 2026 $ 3.000

17 - 24 October 2026 $ 3.000

07 - 14 November 2026 $ 3.000

21 - 28 November 2026 $ 3.000

27 December 2026 - 03 January 2027 $ 3.150

09 - 16 January 2027 $ 3.150

30 January - 06 February 2027 $ 3.150

20 - 27 February 2027 $ 3.150

27 February - 06 March 2027 $ 3.150

13 - 20 March 2027 $ 3.150

27 March - 03 April 2027 $ 3.450

03 - 10 April 2027 $ 3.450

10 - 17 April 2027 $ 3.450

08 - 15 May 2027 $ 3.450

15 - 22 May 2027 $ 3.450

22 - 29 May 2027 $ 3.450

05 - 12 June 2027 $ 3.450

12 - 19 June 2027 $ 3.450

03 - 10 July 2027 $ 3.450

28 August - 04 September 2027 $ 3.450

11 - 18 September 2027 $ 3.450

18 - 25 September 2027 $ 3.450

25 September - 02 October 2027 $ 3.450

02 - 09 October 2027 $ 3.450

16 - 23 October 2027 $ 3.450

06 - 13 November 2027 $ 3.450

20 - 27 November 2027 $ 3.450

27 November - 04 December 2027 $ 3.450

26 December 2027 - 02 January 2028 $ 3.450

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