Walking in Madeira

walking holidays in Madeira

Discover a wealth of landscapes while walking in Madeira!

About Madeira

Madeira is a green subtropical paradise of volcanic origin, completely different from the Portuguese mainland. Few walking destinations offer such variety with picturesque villages, rugged peaks, alpine plateaus, waterfalls and gorges, verdant valleys, orchards full of cherries, bananas and other fruit, wild flowers in abundance and an unspoilt coastline with towering sea cliffs. The islands are famous for the spectacular levada walks that lead you deep into the hills and valleys. Created centuries ago to allow the locals to maintain essential water courses, these paths take you places only walkers can go. As Madeira’s temperature only varies a few degrees either side of 20ºC you can enjoy walking here all year around.

Walking In Madeira

We currently offer

Guided and Self Guided Walking Holidays

Explore Madeira Walking Holiday – This is a great hiking tour with a choice of some of the best Madeira trails, discovering stunning scenery of this volcanic island on mountains, cliffs and levadas. The Levadas are an extensive network of paths (small irrigation channels) that is also used for hiking, making the rugged mountainous topography of the island accessible to hikers providing an exhilarating Hiking unique experience! Madeira has been created by volcanic eruptions. Erosion has formed the island by creating bizarre rock formation as well as deep gorges. Madeira is “a vertical island” because wherever you go there’s a vertical drop of several hundred meters just beside you. Now it’s your time to explore this Hiking paradise!

Madeira Great Walks Walking Holiday– Madeira Great Walks is an incredible hiking program along one of the most beautiful Portuguese island known as the Pearl of the Atlantic! If you are a Hiking Lover this is the ideal opportunity of knowing Madeira and its unique characteristics by walking designed for avid hike seekers. This tour shows you a choice of the best Madeira trails, discovering stunning scenery of this volcanic island on mountains, cliffs and levadas. Madeira has been created by volcanic eruptions. Erosion has formed the island by creating bizarre rock formation as well as deep gorges. Madeira is “a vertical island” because wherever you go there’s some vertical drop of several hundred meters just beside you. One of the highlights of this tour will be visiting the natural pools of Porto Moniz considered Humanity Natural World Heritage by UNESCO! Now it’s your time to explore this Hiking paradise!

Madeira Island Adventure Walking Holiday– The ULTIMATE walking holiday package, taking you through the most beautiful landscapes of the island! This is the chance to get to know Madeira island and its unique trails by walking paths specially designed for avid hikers! With a choice of the best trails Madeira has to offer, you will explore volcanic island mountains, breathtaking cliffs and levadas!

 

Contact us for a detailed itinerary or for more information about walking in Madeira.

Full and Half Day Walks in Madeira

Perhaps you have your holiday planned but would like to spend day or so walking in Madeira? If so why not join our experienced local guide on one of our regular walks. We offer a weekly programme of day and half day walks that take you to every part of the island. The price shown is per person and includes the guide, transfer to and from your hotel if staying in or near Funchal and public liability insurance.

Full Day Walks in Madeira

Ponta de Sao Lourenco
a moderate walk of 8km on Tuesdays. This dramatic walk starts in the east of the Island, where the vegetation is completely different from the rest of the island. Ponta de Sao Lourenco is a nature reserve and an important site for nesting seabirds. From here there are breathtaking views over both the north and south coast of the island.

Available every TUESDAY 
Price per person: 36,00€
Duration: approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 8 km
Highest point: 110m
Lowest point: 5m
Location: Caniçal
Difficulty: Moderate
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

Levada da Caldeirao Verde
a moderate walk of 13km on Thursdays
This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of the Madeira levada walks. The route winds through lush emerald green Laurissilva forest watered by pretty streams and waterfalls. The forest is home to many interesting animals and birds such as the Bis-Bis (Firecrest) and the Tentilhao (Madeiran Chaffinch). There are fantastic views of S. Jorge and after exploring five tunnels of natural basaltic rock time to relax by the crystal clear waters of the Caldeirao Verde waterfall.  This walk includes tunnels and might not be suitable for vertigo sufferers.

Available every THURSDAY
Price per person: 36,00€
Duration: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 13km
Highest point: 980m
Lowest point: 890m
Location: Santana
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Tunnels and Vertigo
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

Rabacal/25 Fontes Levada Walk
a moderate walk of 12km on Fridays.
Walk along one of the most beautiful walks in the whole of Madeira with many waterfalls and springs. This levada walk sets out from the largest plateau of Madeira, the Paul da Serra to Madeira’s prettiest valley, the Rabacal. Highlights of the walk include abundant water features including a spectacular turquoise lagoon and the chance to see a wide selection of interesting flora and fauna endemic to Madeira. This walk includes tunnels and might not be suitable for vertigo sufferers.

Available every FRIDAY
Price per person: 36,00€
Duration: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 13km
Highest point: 1290m
Lowest point: 900m
Location: Rabaçal
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Tunnels and Vertigo
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

Levada do Rei (Sao Jorge)
an easy to moderate walk of 10km on Saturdays.
The Levada do Rei is renowned for its tranquil beauty and as you walk along it you get a sense of the wild and exuberant landscape that the Portuguese sailors first saw way back in 1419. The route takes you through two different forests, in the first forest exotic species, that have been introduced over the centuries, flourish in Madeira’s gentle climate. Then you’ll enter the Laurissilva forest, one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal, where you’ll find an abundance of native flora and fauna, many of which are unique to Madeira. This is a fascinating walk for naturalists and a chance for everyone to enjoy Madeira’s natural beauty and diversity.

Available every SATURDAY 
Price per person: 36,00€
Duration: approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 10km
Highest point: 719m
Lowest point: 530m
Location: São Jorge
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Tunnels and Vertigo
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

NEW!!!! Vereda do Larano

Available every SATURDAY 
Price per person: 36,00€
Duration: approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 12km
Highest point: 350m
Lowest point: 10m
Location: Porto da Cruz | Machico
Difficulty: Difficult
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

 

Half Day Walks in Madeira

Levada dos Marocos
an easy walk of 6km on Sundays. The Levada dos Marocos takes you along the valley of Machico, the first city to be discovered in 1419 by Tristao Vaz Teixeira and Joao Gonçalves Zarco. Discover the fantastic views over the city of Machico and get to know th famous Poios Madeirenses (agricultural terraces). You may also get the chance to enjoy some of the fresh fruit that farmers sell along the Levada. This Madeira levada walk costs € per person and the trip takes approximately 2 hours.

The Madeira levada walks include an experienced guide, insurance and transport to and from your hotel in Funchal (or nearby towns). Advance booking is recommended.

Levada dos Marocos

Available every SUNDAY
Price per person: 25,00€
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Distance: 6.5km
Highest point: 250m
Lowest point: 220m
Location: Machico
Difficulty: Easy
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

NEW!!! Levada do Norte

Available every FRIDAY (Morning)

Price per person: 25,00€
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Distance: 6km
Highest point: 560m
Lowest point: 550m
Location: Campanário
Difficulty: Easy
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

NEW!!! Prazeres

Available every WEDNESDAY 
Price per person: 27,00€
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Distance: 6km
Highest point: 300m
Lowest point: 275m
Location: Prazeres (Calheta)
Difficulty: Easy
Includes: Official Mountain Guide, transport and insurance (Required by Portuguese law)

 

Walking in Madeira: Practicalities

You will need: walking boots or sports shoes with a good grip, light waterproofs, a jumper or light jacket, sun cream and a hat or a cap.

Day and Half Day Walks: Excursions may be cancelled due to weather conditions or events beyond our control. A credit for an alternative excursion or a full refund will be given in such cases.

For detailed itineraries, to book any of the walks or for more information about walking in Madeira please use the form below