Madeira: Single Centre Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in Madeira | Self Guided Walking Holiday

The lush landscape of Madeira makes it a perfect destination for an independent walking holiday the whole year round. The rugged coastline and mountainous interior combine with a gentle climate to create a memorable walking experience. Once you leave the capital, Funchal, the land is steep and rugged between the small coastal fishing villages. As well as a network of walking trails, the walker benefits from a vast network of irrigation channels, known as levadas, which are easily followed as they wind round the hillsides hardly changing altitude. At times, however, they pass through tunnels so you'll need a good torch.

Grade: The walking is graded as moderate. However, the advantage of a single centre holiday is that you can choose what you do and when you do it, so you can always opt for an easy route or rest day if you wish.

Getting there: Fly to Funchal Airport. From there you will be transferred to your hotel nearby.

Day 1 Arrive Funchal.
After arrival at the airport you are transferred the short distance to your hotel in Funchal.

Day 2 Monte to Camacha.
The holiday begins in the village of Monte, set back in the hills with fantastic views over Funchal and the ocean beyond. Monte is reached by a dramatic cable car ride over Funchal or by local transfer. The walk soon joins the Levada dos Tornos, the most important of Madeira's levadas. You follow it as it contours through the countryside through groves of mimosa and pine. The levada passes through a couple of short tunnels, where torches are useful, before ending in Camacha, renowned for its basket weaving. ~ 4h

Day 3 Camacha to Santo da Serra.
Today's walk continues along the Levada dos Tornos as the countryside becomes progressively wilder and more dramatic. Birdsong and cascading water are ever present sounds as you cross the valley of the Ribeiro do Porto Novo. You pass through isolated farms and hamlets surrounded by wild flowers. As you round corners, new vistas open up, often to the Atlantic Ocean, seen in the distance beyond the cultivated terraces below you. You then leave the levada through the woods to reach Santo da Serra, from where you are transferred back to your hotel in Funchal. ~ 4h 30m

Day 4 Free day to explore Funchal.

Day 5 Ribeira Seca to Porto da Cruz.
You are taken to the village of Ribeira Seca from where you join the coast and follow a coastal path all the way to Porto da Cruz. This splendid path really helps you to appreciate the wildness of the coast and the location of Porto da Cruz. It is, however, a little exposed in places and you should have a head for heights. ~ 3h

Day 6 Teixeira to Encumeada.
Without doubt today's walk is a highlight of walking on Madeira. You are taken up high to Teixeira to start the day and then follow a good path along the mountain ridge from east to west. You climb to the summit of Pico Ruivo, which at 1862 metres is the highest point on Madeira. Continuing westwards the views alternate between those to the north and those to the south. The countryside is open so the views are not impeded and the vegetation includes tree heather and ferns. You gradually descend to Encumeada for your lift back to Funchal. ~ 6h 30m

Day 7 Encumeada to Curral das Freiras.
The walk starts by contouring through trees and then a path leads you up into the small valley of Curral Jangao before continuing underneath the peaks of Pico Grande to the col at Boca do Cerro. There are stunning views into hidden valleys and to the sea beyond. From here an optional detour takes you to the summit of Pico Grande. You then descend steadily to Curral das Freiras, from where you are taken back to your hotel in Funchal. ~ 5h or 6h 30m

Day 8 Departure.

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