6 - 11 km
100 - 600 m
8 Days & 7 Nights
1.080 EUR
Laurissilva Forest - UNESCO World Heritage site
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PARTNERS, CREDENTIALS AND MORE
Madeira Great Walks
Sweet paradise in the middle of the Atlantic.
An incredible hiking tour along with one of the most beautiful Portuguese islands, the Pearl of the Atlantic! If you are a hiking lover, this is the ideal opportunity to discover Madeira and its unique characteristics. Madeira was created by volcanic eruptions and erosion throughout the years. This shaped the island by creating bizarre rock formations and deep gorges. The best Madeira trails are full of wonders, and you will discover them as you hike on the mountains, cliffs, and levadas. The levadas are part of an extensive network of small irrigation channels with gentle slopes, very typical of Madeira island, and a perfect path for any adventurous hiker! Breathtaking sceneries and natural highlights, such as the natural pools of Porto Moniz and the Laurissilva Forest (both UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites), will leave you stunned and amazed! It's your time to explore this hiking paradise!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Tour Information
SELF-GUIDED 2023 PRICES
Low Season1.080 EUR
Single Room+ 460 EUR
04 Jan - 24 Feb
29 Oct - 15 Dec
High Season1.300 EUR
Single Room+ 490 EUR
25 Feb - 28 Oct
Price Notes
• prices per person for a minimum of 2 people in double/twin room
• solo traveler supplement on request
Included and Optional Services
Itinerary
Welcome to Madeira!
Our guide will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Ponta do Sol. Once there, you can spend some time at the swimming pool, take a nap, or relax with a beautiful mountainous view.
Hike Levada do Moinho - Ponta do Sol
Your day will start with a transfer to the beginning of the hike.
Once there, you start walking in the Levada do Moinho, a great walk with fantastic panoramic views of the valley. A very pleasant and easy trail, to begin with, allowing you to enjoy the island all year round due to its milder climate. Along the way, you'll see fantastic views arising, such as cultivated farmland, green fields, and the beautiful village of Ponta do Sol. Similarly to other walking paths of Madeira Island, the beauty is immense. Time to take a break and appreciate the several species of fauna, flora, and waterfalls. End up the hike straight in the hotel.
Hike Rabaçal & 25 Fontes
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 along the Levada do Risco. This path reveals many landscapes with wonderful sensations and a wide variety of endemic species. After a short while, you will arrive at the Lagoa das 25 Fontes (Lagoon of the 25 Springs). The waters that formed this place came from the top of the Mountain Marsh (Paul da Serra) and permeated through the lagoon walls. This allowed for the construction of the 25 Fontes Levada in 1835 - a diamond in our eyes.
Hike from Jardim do Mar to Paúl do Mar
Walk through a route full of heritage.
Located on the west side of Madeira Island, this is one of the few routes available for the population to access the coastline. It is an opportunity to walk calmly and absorb the seashore landscape and the land filled with terraced farm plots held in place by stone walls. This municipal path is a genuine historical heritage, bearing witness to the isolation of past generations and 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 from Paúl da Serra to Fanal
Today's trail is in the area of the Laurissilva Forest.
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. Later 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 do Moinho - Porto Moniz
Today is going to be an amazing day!
Find a dense landscape where you can 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 characteristic of the native forest - Laurissilva. You will pass by Canary Willow, large Madeira Laurel, Madeira Mahogany, and the Lily-of-the-valley tree that abound along the Levada. Like looking through a window, you'll find open areas until the end of the hike, passing through small rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. Stone stairs will take you to the entrance doors of the Porto Moniz. Your hotel awaits, but if you still have energy, do not forget to visit the natural pools in town.
Visit Cape Girão & Funchal
After a transfer to Cape Girão, you will have some free time.
Once there in the belvedere, enjoy one of the most panoramic views of the Island. Including the views of Funchal, where you'll later arrive and have the rest of the day free. This is the most famous city of Madeira, and people love to walk the streets of its cosmopolitan 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!
Transfer to Funchal Airport
Your splendid trip has come to an end.
We hope the memories and experiences 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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