Day 1: Flight to Funchal, Madeira

Make your own way to Madeira Airport in Santa Cruz – also known as Funchal Airport; pick-up at the airport and transfer to the hotel by prior arrangement (approx. 30 min). In the evening, a welcome at the hotel from our tour leader with an introduction to the week’s programme, followed by dinner together.

Day 2: Machico – the outlying eastern headland and Caniçal

Drive to Machico, the island’s oldest settlement: this is where the island’s discoverers once came ashore. We visit the Miracle Chapel and explore the town. We then continue up to Pico do Facho, about 350 m above Machico (Beacon Peak). We carry on to the island’s easternmost tip: Baia de Abra bay. A completely different landscape awaits here, with glorious views on the walk along Ponta São Lourenço: azure bays, brightly coloured tuff rock, and vistas of the Desertas Islands and of Porto Santo, Madeira’s small inhabited neighbour. Opportunity for a snack and/or a visit to the Whale Museum. The people of Caniçal lived from sperm-whale hunting until 1982. We return to the hotel via Santa Cruz. (10 km, 3 hrs, 150 metres of ascent)

Day 3: The charming southwest – Assobiadores – Fanal – West Island tour

After breakfast we first head to Europe’s highest sea cliff, Cabo Girão (580m). We continue via Ponta do Sol to Madalena do Mar. Here we stroll through a banana plantation and learn all about this delicious, aromatic fruit. Then, via Calheta, we climb up to the Paul da Serra plateau for a walk above the gorges of Rabaçal. We follow the relatively new trail from Assobiadores towards Fanal, with fantastic views over the ravines of the Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira. Centuries-old laurel forests make this walk a unique experience. We then continue to Porto Moniz. Return to Funchal via São Vicente and the Encumeada Pass. (9 km, 2,5 hrs, 200 metres of ascent)

Day 4: Pico das Pedras Nature Park – Queimadas – Caldeirao Verde

Drive from the hotel to the Pico das Pedras nature reserve. We first walk to Queimadas at around 900 m. Through wonderful nature (laurel and lauraceae forests) we follow the Levada do Caldeirao Verde through several tunnels (torches required!) to the impressive Caldeirao Verde (green cauldron). Here a waterfall plunges approx. 50 m into a pool. One of the most beautiful and varied Levada walks Madeira has to offer. On the return, a short stop in Santana, where you can still see the former triangular houses with thatched roofs, then back to Funchal. (13 km, 5 hrs, 200 metres of ascent)

Day 5: Panoramic walk: the North Coast High Trail

We first walk along the Levada do Caniçal to the Boca do Risco through pine and eucalyptus forests. Here the vegetation changes and the route follows the cliffline with Atlantic views to Maiata, or even further to Porto da Cruz. Breathtaking views of the north coast with its rock formations, of Porto da Cruz’s Eagle Rock and the picturesque bays. In Porto da Cruz we visit the island’s oldest sugar-cane factory and sample the local rum, which in recent years has reached a very good quality. We return via the Portela Pass to the south coast (11 km, 3,5 hrs, 300 metres of ascent)

Day 6: The King’s Path

We first drive through the Ribeiro Frio nature reserve towards Santana and up to the Achada do Teixeira at about 1600m. On a well-made paved path we reach the Pico Ruivo shelter and from there climb in approx. 20 minutes to the island’s highest summit (1862 m). We continue on a well-built path to Pico do Arieiro, the island’s second-highest summit. Surefootedness and a head for heights are required here. Those who prefer not to walk the entire route can return from Pico Ruivo the same way to the hiking bus (11 km, 5 hrs, 1000 metres of ascent) or (6 km, 2 hrs, 260 metres of ascent).

Day 7: Levada da Serra from Camacha to Monte

Today we head up to one of the island’s longest and widest levadas: Levada da Serra do Faial and Levada dos Tornos. We start near the village of Camacha, once known for its wickerwork, which was crafted into baskets and furniture. We walk leisurely to Monte, the island’s place of pilgrimage. From here you can spend the afternoon as you wish, for example by visiting the Monte Tropical Garden, taking a wicker toboggan ride from Monte down to Funchal, or riding the cable car back to the city centre.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Funchal Airport and independent return flight to Germany

Discover Madeira the active way: eight days based in Funchal. Coastal and levada walks to the eastern headland Ponta de São Lourenço, to Cabo Girão and through the laurel forests near Fanal. Levada do Caldeirão Verde with tunnels and a waterfall. North coast high-level path to Porto da Cruz with sugar cane factory. Crowning stage from Pico Ruivo to Pico do Arieiro. To finish, Levada da Serra from Camacha to Monte.

Requirements: levada and mountain paths, partly scree; sure-footed and with a head for heights.

Torch required for tunnel sections.

Participants: min. 6, max. 12; notification if the minimum is not reached 8 weeks before the date.

Flight not included in the price; on request we can arrange a cost-effective flight from your airport.