Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our wonderful walking holiday on Madeira. This hiking vacation on Madeira is a self guided walking tour. Madeira is a small Portuguese Island off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. With a wonderful year round mild climate it creates a superb walking experience. The Island is well known for its fabulous vegetation, flora and fauna and bird life. It is a hilly Island and to move the water around the Island there are constructed ancient Levada’s which are water channels. Walking alongside the Levada banks make for some fantastic walks. Our hiking holiday in Madeira is available as a seven or nine night self led walking tour which we have graded a level 2 tour.

Daily arrival from January 10th to October 10th
Level 2 self guided tour

Day 1 Arrival transfer to Machico
Arrive to the wonderful Island of Madeira where you shall be met and transferrd to your first accommodation in Machio.

Day 2 Walk from Ponta de São Laurenço / Casa do Sardinha / Baia D’Abra

In this dry area, among scoriae and fissures in the basaltic dykes, you will see wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist windy environments with high levels of salinity. Rocks with a diversity of colours ranging from black to different reds, sculpted by nature in stark contrast to the blue ocean offer you some dream landscapes. Madeira’s Nature Park rangers, who watch over animals and plants that belong to the eastern most extremity of the Island surround Casa da Sardinha which make sure that life is not too disturbed. This is a typical trekking tour, you will only hear yourself and the sea and nothing much else. After your walk you will return by the good public bus service.

Walking time 4 hours , up/down +180/-200m , distance 6 miles 10 Km

Day 3 Walk from Machico to Boca do Risco, Larano and Porto da Cruz.
This walk offers a beautiful easy walk, well within the reach of all visitors to Madeira. The walk begins on the tunnel of Machico alongside the levada, you can feel the loneliness and beauty of Madeira on the old coastal way from the south to the north with marvelous views over the atlantic, from Risco to Porto da Cruz. The north coast between Boca do Risco and Porto da Cruz is perhaps the quintessence of Madeira, nowhere else on the island can match its rugged, proud beauty in the sunlight. Also few places in the world could match its harsh anger when lashed by storms. Divided in 2 different parts, the first one, nice and easy, the second one, a bit difficult but marvelous. Transfer to Santana for overnight

Walking time 5.5 hours , up/down +250/-350m , distance 8 miles 13 Km

Day 4 Transfer to Pico das Pedras, walk along Levada do Caldeirão Verde and then going down to Ilha.
A very special walk through one of the Madeira’s oldest levadas where you can feel the nature surrounded by the Laurisilva vegetation where you can admire beautiful landscapes of valleys, small craters, water falls, sea and mountains. This walk is really beautiful. Two nights in Boaventura.

Walking time 5.3 hours , up/down +50/-500m , distance 8 miles 12 Km

Day 5-1 Walk from Boaventura to Arco de São Jorge, return to Boaventura by public bus.
All year round, this a beautiful and a comfortable walk with an ascent and descent are soft with 370m in total. Walk through a magnificent region rich in culture. The walk continues alongside an ancient valley, with wonderful views overlooking a cliff in due form of a “Pain de Sucre” ( sugar bread).

Walking time 2.40 hours, up/down +50/-500m , distance 4 miles 6,5 Km

Day 5-2 Walk from Boaventura to Boaventura.
Start the walking at the same point of the alternative 5-1 above , this walk and is little longer. Ascent and descent are soft with 170m in total. You will walk alongside the “Levada de Cima” surrounded by sensational vegetation with chestnut-trees under a high cliff. This is an easy going levada Walk.

Walking time 3.15 hours , up/down +50/-500m , distance 6 miles  9,5 Km

Day 6 Transfer to Ponta do Pargo by Porto Moniz, walk to Paul do Mar and Prazeres.
This walk finishes at the charming Madeira windsurf paradise of Jardim do Mar. We start this magnificent walk between the sea and mountain landscapes. In an almost never ending winding path through valleys and mountains with magnificent views over looking the fishing village of the Paúl do Mar. It is a very pleasant walk, with spectacular views of the incredible colourful Atlantic.

Walking time 5.30 hours , up/down +200/-350m , distance 8 miles 12 Km

Day 7 Walk from Prazeres by Levada da Central until Central da Calheta and Rabaçal
In Prazeres we start this magnificent walk between the sea and mountain landscapes. In an almost never ending winding paths through valleys and mountains with magnificent views overlooking the fishing village of the Paúl do Mar. Passing by levada da Central until Central da Calheta. It is a very pleasant walk, always flat, all the way along a "levada" (water channel). Rabaçal is an enchanted fairyland of singing waterfalls, and a favourite excursion spot amongst the Madeirans. Here at the head of Madeira’s greatest valley, the Rabaçal houses lie dwarfed beneath emerald-cloaked mountains. This levada walk with fascinating landscapes incorporating tremendous valleys, spectacular waterfalls infinite laurel and header forest and beautiful springs. Transfer and luggage to Encumeada, 2 nights stay at Residencial Encumeada.

Walking time 06.30, up/down +550/-1100, distance 12 miles 19 Km

Day 8 Walk from Encumeada to Pico Grande and Boca da Corrida.
From Encumeada we walk through woods of chestnut and eucalyptus and then traverse below the rocky escarpment of Pico Grande, enjoying fine views to the south and back to the west. Eventually, we come to a superb viewpoint overlooking the spectacular situated village of Curral das Freiras. A luxurious vegetated area, through the beautiful valley scenario, with spectacular views over looking the mountain and gardens ahead. Return to Funchal by Bus. 2 nights in Funchal.

Walking time 5.30 hours, up/down +550/-1100m , distance 12 miles 19 Km

Day 9 Walk from Curral dos Romeiros to Botanical Gardens in Funchal
We start our trek with a walk alongside the luxurious vegetation of Levada da Serra, with wonderful views overlooking the coast and mountains. This walk gives us a fine introduction to the fertile south of the island. We wind our way though cultivated terraces, along Levada banks festooned with flowers, with a bird’s eye view out over the south coast. Then visit the Botanical Garden. This is quite a special place where Man is invited to discover the fascinating world of the plants.

Walking time 5 hours, up/down +250/-200m , distance 8 miles 12 Km

Day 10 Departure- transfer to the airport or holiday extension!

Difficulty:The tour is level two graded , the elevations are only small ( apart from 1 day ) so the walks are generally easy in nature.

Accommodation: Small family run guest houses and small hotels offering that unique Portuguese experience

The 7 night tour misses out days 4 and 9 of the above schedule

2010 Prices

How to get there ?
By plane to Madeira , Funchal airport where transfers are included.
Trip extension
You can extend your trip by booking extra nights in Funchal

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