Marvels of Madeira Walk

Name: Marvels of Madeira Walk
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

1 reviews

Activity Level

Moderate

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

One of Madeira’s many charms is its infinite variety; each day’s walking is different.

Surging from the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira offers a temperate sub-tropical paradise perfect for year-round walking. One of Madeira’s many charms is its infinite variety; each day’s walking and every levada – the island’s unique network of water channels – is different. Landscapes vary from cultivated vine terraces and verdant slopes dotted with white hamlets to coastal cliffs with balcony views over the azure seas. Also a nature lover’s paradise, there are over 120 endemic species of flora and fauna including the pride of Madeira, the bird-of-paradise, along with jacaranda, tiny bisbis birds, chaffinches and hawks – the list is endless.

On this Self Guided hotel-to-hotel walking holiday in Madeira, the island’s coastal paths and levadas take you from the sleepy wine village of Santana on the north coast to bustling Funchal in the south. Fringed with a rainbow of colourful flora, the levadas lead you inland to breezy Santo da Serra; a transfer then takes you to the Levada do Norte for spectacular views from the cliff tops.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07MF
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Portugal

What's Included

All breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 5 evening meals
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
Cable car ticket included (day 7)
Route notes and maps provided

6 days of Walking & Trekking

Day 1: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 2: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Day 3: 14.1 km / 8.7 miles
Day 4: 8 km / 5 miles
Day 5: 11 km / 6.8 miles

Highlights

Stunning coastal trails and flower-lined levada walks
Friendly, high quality hotels, with swimming pools
Time to explore bustling Funchal

Itinerary

First Destination: Santana
Next Destination: Funchal

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Santana
Next Destination: Funchal

Today you take the panoramic coastal path that leads you to the ancient cobbled route linking Santana to Sao Jorge. (If you are staying at the Vila Bela in Porto da Cruz a 15 min transfer will be provided). Agapanthus and cacti line the descent to the seaside ‘resort’ of Calhau. It’s then along the base of the cliffs, where big Atlantic rollers come sweeping in, before you climb to enjoy balcony views. There are fabulous coastal vistas as you ascend to Sao Jorge, with the village’s lighthouse glimmering above the azure waters. The mighty peak of Pico Ruivo frames the horizon as you return to Santana or transfer to Porto da Cruz if you are staying there.
You stay at the Quinta do Furao (breakfast and evening meal)

2 options: Walking time 3.5hr, distance 10km/6.2mi or walking time 4hr, distance 13km/8mi.

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

A transfer (10/25 mins) takes you up to the Parque das Queimadas – all the hard climbing is done for you! The walk follows the beautiful (and shady) Caldeirao Verde Levada (the Green Cauldron Levada) into the Vale da Lapa. The scenery is magnificent; the views of the sea, of hilltop villages, and of the lofty central peaks are unforgettable. You head up the valley through a series of impressive levada tunnels to the magnificent waterfall at Caldeirao Verde. Then it’s back down the Lapa Valley to Ilha before taking the bus back to Santana or a transfer to Porto da Cruz.
You stay at the Quinta do Furao (breakfast, and evening meal)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Before departure, a picnic is provided by your hotel for today and a minibus will collect you at the hotel for a scenic 25/35 minute ride taking you to Ribeiro Frio where you start your walk. You join the Levada do Furado, a verdant paradise of laurel, heather and pine with waterfalls tumbling into the gushing river. Tiny firecrest and tame finches flit between the trees, which occasionally part to reveal stunning views of white hilltop hamlets. You descend to Santo da Serra’s vibrant square with its lively market; wood smoke fills the air as meats grill al fresco – you must try the traditional espetada (marinated meat skewered on laurel twigs)!
You stay at the Porto Bay Serra Golf (breakfast, picnic and evening meal)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There are 2 optional walks provided today. The first starts with a transfer (30 mins), taking you to the most eastern point of Madeira, to Ponta de Sao Lourenco’s Nature Reserve, where you’ll walk the hugely popular peninsula loop, with sweeping views, jagged peaks and masses of flora and fauna.
The second optional walk is on the Levada Nova (9.5km/6mi/3hr). The Levada Nova is a rewarding walk and quite spectacular. It takes you round into the upper reaches of the Ribeiro Santa Cruz, where there are sun-dappled waterfalls and a wide variety of flora. The levada is reached by a short, but steep descent on a quiet country lane.
You stay at the Porto Bay Serra Golf (breakfast and evening meal)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

A 45 minutes transfer takes you to Boa Morte to take the Levada do Norte, through pine and eucalyptus trees, and on paths lined with pink belladonna flowers. High on the poios (terraces) the path wanders through pretty villages, before arriving in Cabo Girao where the majestic expanse of the Atlantic is spread out before us. A transfer will take you on to your hotel in Funchal where you will spend your last two nights.
You stay at the Quinta da Bela Vista (breakfast, picnic)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Spend your last day exploring at leisure in Funchal, perhaps starting in the bustling market near the harbour – it’s full of atmosphere and ablaze with colour. Enjoy lunch on the harbour, saving room for an afternoon cream tea at Reid’s, then it’s time to relax by the pool or in the beautiful exotic gardens of your hotel.
You stay at the Quinta da Bela Vista (breakfast)

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

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Accommodation

Hotels

Our accommodation choices offer as many contrasts as the walks: in Santana your 4-star hotel has stunning Atlantic Ocean views; in Santo da Serra your hotel dates back to the 1920s and has been used as a family home and tea house over the years, and in Funchal, the 5-star Quinta da Bela Vista is one of the most exclusive hotels on the island.

Room upgrade

From £10 per person, per night based on 2 people sharing.

All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement payable in advance.

Essential Information

Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)
This holiday uses paths by the levadas which are, at times, narrow with drops to the side. You need to be a confident, sure-footed walker, not deterred by heights. There are ascents and descents every day which makes this a slightly more demanding holiday than the distances suggest. A torch is required for the Caldeirao Verde walk (day 3).

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf

The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in Santana on the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. For flight inclusive bookings arrival and departure transfers are included*. Please ask your Sales Consultant for times. If the hotel in Santana is not available an alternative in Porto da Cruz is used.

Arrival/departure transfers at non-standard times can also be arranged for you, often free of charge (subject to prior arrangement).

*Please note: the above free airport transfers are subject to prior arrangement and at least 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) may apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.

Flights:
We can also book flights for you if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with TAP Portugal from London Heathrow to Funchal via Lisbon, departing 06:00, arriving 12:00. Return: Funchal to Heathrow via Lisbon departing 12:45, arriving 18:40. Please note that the standard flights may occasionally change throughout the season so please enquire for up-to-date details.

Portugal

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Portugal. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/portugal
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html

All continental buffet style breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 5 evening meals are included.

Madeira is well known for its excellent fresh fish and seafood, tasty soups and mouth-watering fresh fruit. Grilled meats especially chicken (often cooked on a natural wood grill), also make a good choice for your evening meal. A more traditional dish is espetada – skewered beef cooked on an open grill served with lots of salad and boiled potatoes.

Portions are generous, especially in smaller, less touristy restaurants and main dishes come with the traditional salad and potatoes. You will also get a basket of bread on the table, even if you don’t ask for it. Some restaurants also bring you portions of soft cheese and fish paste with the bread and will add these to your bill.

Wine

Madeira’s wine is probably the island’s most famous export. This strong, fortified wine, which tastes a little like port or sherry, comes in a range of flavours (from dry to very sweet) and is renowned throughout the world. It was used to seal the signing of the American Declaration of Independence and is still used today to toast those offered the Freedom of the City of London.

The climate in Madeira is similar to that found around the Mediterranean and is renowned for its year round mildness however there is always the possibility of inclement weather. In May, April, June, October and November, temperatures are pleasant and some rainfall is to be expected. From July to September, daytime is a little warmer and it is typically dry with an average of seven to eight hours of sunshine a day, but the odd shower is still possible. Winter months are generally wetter, particularly at high levels with rain falling between periods of fine, settled weather (so waterproofs are essential).

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Reviews

Add new review

Nik Kowal

Added September 2017

Marvels of Madeira self guided

A winning combination of walks in stunning scenery and top quality hotels in which to relax at the end of the day. Being self guided was a great experience, walking notes very clear, and you can go at your own choice of pace and stop whenever you want. Highly recommended.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finishing each walk!

Thoughts on Group Leader

N/a

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rating of leisurely/moderate does not take into account some of the ascents and descents, and the narrow footing along some of the levadas so pre trip training and a good head for heights required.