6 - 19 km
50 - 600 m
14 Days & 13 Nights
Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Tour Grade
- Distance
6 – 19 km / day
- Profile
Hilly
- Route
Mountain terrain and “levadas”; single tracks and cliff trails
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Itinerary
Arrival in Funchal
Welcome to Madeira!
Our guide will pick you up at the airport and drive you to Santa Cruz (5 min). Once in Santa Cruz, you will arrive at your first accommodation where you can spend some time at the swimming pool, take a nap or relax with a beautiful mountainous view.
Ponta de São Lourenço Hike
You will start your day with a 20 minute transfer to Ponta de São Lourenço.
You will then walk on a trail that will take you around the volcanic peninsula to the eastern-most point of Madeira Island. Take a look around you and enjoy the amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean and the two islets that sit nearby. The Desembarcadouro Islet is classified as a natural reserve and the peninsula is also considered as a partial one. All the land and sea by the north coast, up to a depth of 50 meters, is part of the European network of important community sites - Natura 2000. What a day and what a scenery to enjoy and celebrate! The day will finish with a short transfer back to Santa Cruz (20 min).
Hike Levada do Furado
Today, you will have your first experience in the famous levadas, which are an extensive network of small irrigation channels that make the perfect path for adventurous hikers.
After a transfer to Ribeiro Frio (30 min), start your hike along this levada which is one of the first acquired by the state to irrigate the farmlands of Porto da Cruz. You will then follow the levada of Serra do Faial at an elevation of 860 metres, all the way to the station where the waters divide. From there, you will descend to the area of Lamaceiros. The walk ends with another descent to the village of Portela, where you will be transferred back to your accomodation in Machico (20 min).
Hike Vereda do Risco
Today, you will head up to Facho Pic (322 meters) and enjoy the north coastal cliffs!
Start with a short transfer in the morning and start your walk in Machico where you’ll get on a trail along the Caniçal Levada for about 2 kilometers. Soon, you will start to see the great view of tiny terrace where islander farmers cultivate the fertile Madeira soil. The path then ascends gently to the crest, Boca do Risco, where you will find a stunning panoramic view of the north cliffs. From Boca do Risco, the trail continues, etched into the cliff face and follows the 300 meter contour until the town of Porto da Cruz. A final transfer of 15 minutes will take you to your hotel in Santana for a well deserved rest..
Hike Levada Caldeirão Verde
Today, the path will go along Caldeirão Verde, one of the most famous Levada walks.
After a 15 minute transfer, start this "out-and-back" walk in the Queimadas Forestry Park and cross some spectacularly steep slopes which is one of the finest ways of penetrating the deep valley of the São Jorge brook on foot. You will need a torch on this walk as you will pass through several tunnels. The Levada of Caldeirão Verde is an impressive work of art that was built in the 18th century. It begins in the main stream bed of the Caldeirão Verde brook and passes through steep cliffs and mountains, carrying the water that runs off the highest mountains of Madeira. It offers the traveler a vertiginous and spectacular view of the mountainous terrain.
Hike Pico Ruivo to Encumeada
On this the morning, you will have a 20 minute transfer that will take you to Achada do Teixeira.
Once you arrive, you will begin your energetic ridge walk! It begins just below Pico Ruivo, which is the highest summit of the island and the third highest of Portugal, and heads west through a steep wood slope to the mountain pass at Encumeada. This day will be marked by frequent climbs and descents and the trail will be c little challenging, but it will all be worth it due to the extremely beautiful landscapes. The Central Mountainous Massif and the Laurissilva Forest are also home to an interesting and unique ecosystem. Today, we will walk back to the hotel.
Hike Pináculo Pico & Levada do Norte Loop
The hike of today will begin from the hotel and will take you through a variety of landscapes and magnificent views.
First, you will have to pass by the well-known Pináculo (Pinnacle) and walk along the Levada do Norte and Levada da Serra. Lovely views of the São Vicente Valley will catch your eyes, as well as some of the architectural heritage of the island, namely the "way of the county", a road used formerly for movement between the northern and southern coast. Paved with stone, the levada was built to transport water and tunnels in the rock were even made to facilitate its movement. When you reach you reach the top of the footpath at Pináculo, the two highest peaks will stand out and the Central Mountain Range will give you an image to remember.
Hike Paúl da Serra - Fanal
The trail reserved for today is included in the area of Laurissilva Forest, which is classified by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site since 1999 and a member of the European network of sites of community importance - Natura 2000.
Start in Paúl da Serra plateau and follow the trail to visit several viewpoints that reveal a set of beautiful landscapes, which highlight the valley of Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira. Pay attention to the area known as "Fio", where visitors can appreciate what is left of an ingenious apparatus of steel cables that were used to carry wood and shrubs collected in the Fanal forest. After, you will arrive at Fanal, a small volcanic crater classified as a resting reserve of the Natural Park of Madeira with the centenary forest of Ocofeafoefens trees.
Hike Levada da Janela
Today is going to be an amazing day!
Start your day after a short transfer and along the way you will find several tunnels, where you can feel and hear the water falling from the rocks creating a natural and relaxing symphony of sounds. Enjoy the fantastic scenery that arises, full of maritime pine, eucalyptus and other dense vegetation that is characteristic of the native forest - Laurissilva. Maybe find some species such as the Canary Willow, the large Madeira Laurel, Madeira Mahogany and the Lily-of-the-valley-tree, that abound along the Levada. Like looking through a window, at the end of the day you will reach a fantastic view dominated by large rocks that paint the landscape with a soft and pleasant shade of grey - Ribeira da Janela. Do not forget to visit the natural pools of Porto Moniz if you have time.
Hike from Jardim do Mar to Paúl do Mar
Today you will walk through a route full of heritage, located on the west side of the Madeira Island and was one of the few routes available for the population to access the coastline.
It is an opportunity to walk calmly and absorb the landscape of the sea shore and the land filled with terraced farm plots which are held in place by stone walls. Designated as a "municipal path", this trail is genuine historical heritage, bearing witness to the isolation of past generations and to the ingenious and difficult trails built by the people to overcome it. The day will end with a short transfer back, but make sure to explore Paúl do Mar, an old fishing village known for the export of tuna which has a small and lovely parish on the seashore and stunning views of the cliffs.
Hike Rabaçal & 25 Fontes
After a 30 min transfer to the surroundings of Rabaçal, begin your hike and today there will be an amazing hidden secret awaiting!
After gently descending to Rabaçal, you will find a path that will take you to an impressive waterfall as it goes along the Levada do Risco. This path reveals many landscapes, wonderful sensations and a wide variety of endemic species and after a short while, you will arrive at the Lagoa das 25 Fontes (Lagoon of the 25 Springs). The waters that formed this place permeated through the wall that forms the lagoon and also came from the top of the Mountain Marsh (Paul da Serra). This allowed for the construction of the 25 Fontes Levada in 1835 and it has always been a diamond for our eyes.
Hike from Encumeada to Boca da Corrida
See how the trail unfolds on the base of the highest peaks of Madeira Island and cross part of the majestic Massive Central Mountain.
This "royal path" gives you a glimpse of Curral das Freiras in its mountain stronghold. The perspective offered by this route changes at every step and on every climb and every descent both your eyes and soul will be filled with joy. It begins at Encumeada and fluctuates between elevations of 1340 and 940 meters. Curral das Freiras is in a deep valley surrounded by mountains, located in the center of the island. Due to its unique features, it became the refuge of the nuns of the Covent of Santa Clara in 1566, who brought with them treasures when Funchal was attacked by pirates. The day will end with a transfer to Funchal (30 min) so that you can enjoy the biggest city in the island and its wonders.
Visit Funchal
Waking up in Funchal is so good and you have the whole day off to enjoy the city!
This is the most famous city of Madeira and people love to walk the streets of its cosmopolitan city center. Look for its historical sites like the cathedral or find the best ocean view spots. The opportunities are endless. You must also find the market of Funchal and enjoy part of your day tasting the best gastronomy from the islands; from meat skewer, to banana cake or the traditional poncha drink. You will not be disappointed!
Departure
Our splendid program has come to an end.
We hope that the memories and experiences that we have created and shared stay with you forever. Come back soon to discover some more of Portugal's Nature Trails!
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