Hiking in Madeira
6 days, Santana to Funchal
Itinerary
Day 1Santana
Arrive at any time. Tonight, meet your CEO and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting, then opt to head out for dinner with the group.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
A-frame House Visit
Learn about the region's traditional houses and visit a beautifully preserved, typical A-framed house in Santana, located a short walk from the hotel.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel O Colmo Santana (or similar)
Day 2Santana
Explore Madeira's breathtaking north coast on a stunning 14km hike today. Said to provide some of the island's most spectacular vistas, today's hike is sure to take your breath away in more ways than one. Experience the island's diverse flora and fauna and vibrant greenery around each corner, before returning to Santana for a well deserved rest.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hike from São Jorge to Santana
Today's 14 km hike along Madeira's breathtaking north coast offers a stunning blend of ocean views, lush rainforests, and captivating waterfalls. Beginning in São Jorge and ending in the charming village of Santana, you will encounter dramatic cliffs, picturesque bridges, traditional thatched-roof houses, and intriguing ruins that whisper stories of the past. With an elevation gain of 600 meters, this hike is sure to be both challenging and rewarding.
Accommodation
Hotel O Colmo Santana (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3Santana/Funchal
Summit one of the island's tallest peaks, the Pico do Arieiro. At an altitude of 1,818m, it's the third highest in Madeira. The hike requires some scrambling with steep ascents, but stunning views of the island above the cloud line make every step worth it.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hike the Pico do Arieiro
Today's challenging hike up to Pico do Arieiro takes us through uneven, rocky terrain, a man-made tunnel and some steep ascents that may require scrambling over rocks. Reach the summit at 1,500m above sea level. If the conditions are right, find yourself above the clouds, looking down over Madeira.
Highest altitude: 1,859m
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Orquidea (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Funchal
Lace up your hiking boots once again and head out on the Larano Trail, this morning. Witness panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean alongside sheer cliffs dropping dramatically into the sea. Enjoy the fresh, salty air and green hills that are so characteristic of Madeira's mountainous terrain before heading back to Funchal for free time for dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hike the Larano Trail From Machico
Hike along the Larano trail starting near Machico along Maeira's north coast. Hike to the Boca do Risco viewpoint, with stunning views of the north coast. Then follow the trail to the west before following it back to Porto da Cruz, renowned for its traditional sugar cane distillery. The hike is between 14km and 15km with a total incline of 400 meters. It's along the coast for a majority of the hike, some places with no railings that are considered dangerous, but the trail is wide enough that it's still convenient to walk. It should take around six hours.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Orquidea (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Funchal
Head out to the Paul da Serra levadas today. Essential to the island's irrigation system, the levadas were created to channel water from the rainy north to the dryer south, complete with walking paths used for this unique hiking opportunity. Move on to the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting a subtropical rainforest, with a rich biodiversity. On your way back, stop at the dramatic Girão cliffs for another viewpoint, and if time and weather permits, take in the awe-inspiring views from the glass skywalk, adding a thrilling twist to your adventure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Paul da Serra levadas to Laurisilva Forest Hike
Embark on an exhilarating 14.5km hike through the enchanting Paul da Serra levadas, venturing along a lesser-traveled route that leads you deep into the lush Laurisilva Forest. As you walk, you'll enjoy the serene beauty of the two distinctive levadas, eventually ascending through the verdant laurel trees to reach a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the São Vicente valley, where both the north and south coasts unfold beneath you. The journey includes an elevation gain of 650 meters and a total of about six hours.
Cabo Girão Cliffs and Skywalk
Take in the Cabo Girão's beautiful panoramic views of the sea. Visit the skywalk, jutting out of the cliffs at over 580m above sea level.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Orquidea (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Funchal
Depart at any time.