Guided Walking & Sightseeing on Madeira, Portugal

Download Madeira Guest Booklet 2017

• Our experienced leaders offer the choice of two different walks each walking day
• Choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness
• We provide flexible holidays. Choose easier walking one day and harder the next or just explore independently or relax around the resort
• Our leaders are friendly and welcoming making your holiday fun and sociable

Easier walks: 5 to 9 miles (8-14.5km) on good paths, with some rocky sections. Up to 700 feet (210m) of ascent in a day.

Harder walks: 7 to 11 miles (11-17.5km) on good paths with some steep ascents and descents. There are also some rocky sections. Up to 1,300 feet (390m) of ascent in a day.

Day 1: Arrival Day

For those arriving on the HF Holidays' flights to Funchal, the onward journey to Caniço de Baixo is by coach. Depending on your arrival time you may have the opportunity to see a little of Caniço de Biaxo before your evening meal. On the first evening our leaders will explain more about our walks and there will be plenty of time to meet your fellow guests.

Day 2: Cabo Girao and the Levada do Norte

Easier Walk: We firstly visit the famous high cliff of Cabo Girao (Europe’s second highest sea cliff) for views and a little excitement. Test your nerve on the glass floored viewing platform high above the sea and new vineyards below. After coffee we continue by coach to commence our first levada walk on the Levada do Norte. This levada gives us splendid views out to sea and leads us eventually to viewpoints over the dramatic gorge of the Ribeira Brava. 7.5 miles (12 km) with minimal ascent and descent.

Harder Walk: We also visits the Cabo Girao and after visiting the viewing platform will commence a descent to Levado do Facho, with views over vineyards and the town of Camara de Lobos. After a short walk through a levada tunnel and the western side of the Cabo Girao promontory we join the start of the easier walk to Boa Morte and views of the Ribeira Brava gorge. 11 miles (18km) with 130ft (40m) of ascent

Day 3: Sightseeing in Funchal

Our transport will take us into the capital, Funchal. Our local interest guide will take us on a guided tour of this small, pretty city to include the cathedral, the colourful Mercado dos Labradores and a visit to the famous Blandy’s Winery, home of Madeira wine, with an opportunity to taste the products. In the afternoon, we travel by coach high into the mountains to a viewpoint overlooking the Central Highlands and the Curral das Freiras (Valley of the Nuns). Then we can walk down the old path which leads to the Curral das Freiras. For many centuries this was the only means of reaching this remote valley.

Day 4: Western Moorland and the 25 Fontes.

Our walks today take us to the western end of the island. We’ll travel past Funchal and enter the Ribeira Brava Gorge. The coach will then take us high onto the western moors. This end of the island differs greatly from the high volcanic peaks in the east. Here rolling moorland offers views over the sea in both directions on a clear day. Torches are useful on this day, when walking through one of the levada tunnels.

Easier Walk: Today’s walk follows a gentle lavada path to a lovely viewpoint over the hills and woods of Rabacal before descending to Levada des 25 Fontes which will lead us via a tunnel through a mountain ridge to meet our coach. 8 miles (13km) with 100ft (30m) of ascent and 1,000ft (300m) of descent

Harder: We head off on the Levada da Bica da Cana to reach a higher viewpoint to the East. Returning via our
outward route we shall pick up the route of the easier walk to Rabacal , the Levada das 25 Fontes and then via the tunnel to the coach pick-up. 9.5 miles (15km) with 260ft (80m) of ascent and 1,000 ft ( 300m) of descent

Day 5: Free Day

Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently or visit local places of interest. Perhaps enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of Caniço de Baixo restaurants or try an exhilarating outdoor activity from the hotel.

Day 6: Poiso Moors & Boca da Corrida

Today offers both groups an exhilarating high mountain experience.

Easier Walk: Our walk starts on the Poiso Moors and offers the opportunity to reach a ridge with fine views of the Central Highlands. We continue to the fire tower on Pico do Suna. Our walk then descends to the waterhouse at Lamaceiros where we have the opportunity to visit an exciting stretch of the Levada do Furado. After lunch we descend to the village of Portela for drinks and our coach home. 7 miles (11km) with 300ft (90m) of ascent and 2,000ft (600m) of descent

Harder Walk: Our walk starts from a spectacular viewpoint near Boca da Corrida looking down to Curral das Freiras and up towards Pico Grande. Then we head off over rolling highland hills and valleys to a high point where we enjoy further views of the Central Highlands. Onwards then to Pico da Cruz for views of the Ribeira Brava gorge and down to end our walk in the village of Fontes Do Santo Paul. 8 miles (13km) with 1,300ft (390m) of ascent and 2,200ft (660m) of descent

Day 7: Sao Lourenco peninsula and the cliffs

Our walks on our final day are at the far eastern end of the island.

Easier Walk: This group will travel through the Canical Tunnel to the town of Canical and on to the most easterly point of the island, the St Laurence peninsula. The walk here gives us great views of both the northern and southern cliffs and fine views out to sea. After lunch we return by coach to Canical with an opportunity to visit a café and/or the Whaling museum, before returning to our hotel. 4 miles (6.5km) with 600ft (180m) of ascent.

Harder Walk: Today we’ll travel east from our hotel to commence our walk at the Canical Tunnel. Here we climb steadily towards the viewpoint on Pico do Facho (ascent to the viewpoint is optional). We then embark on a splendid coastal path towards the port of Canical, enjoying great views of the sea and coastline. After refreshments in Canical we rejoin our coach to reach the start point of the easier walk along the St. Lawrence peninsula. 7 miles (11km) with 1,000ft (300m) of ascent.

Day 8: Departure Day

Please note that the itinerary outlined is provisional and could be subject to change. A finalised itinerary will be available at the resort and every evening your leaders will talk to you about the next day’s walks.

An introduction to the area

Over its history, Madeira has been visited by merchants, explorers and had brief periods of occupation including British troops, which has resulted in a diverse population from North Africa and blonde, blue-eyed Europeans. Christopher Columbus married the first Governor’s grand-daughter in the 15th century when the Portuguese settlers arrived on the island. The island has a wealthy history of sugar cane plantations and has bred many romantic stories of pirates. Sugar cane is no longer the main crop; this has been replaced with vines that produce the famous Madeira wine. The amazing beauty of the island rising from the ocean with steep cliffs and high mountains was once believed to be the lost civilisation of Atlantis.

Local highlights

Funchal – The island’s capital and main harbour. White houses and distinctive tiled roofs flow down to the harbour, favoured by cruise ships. Reflecting its wealth and history, this capital boasts large hotels and is a good destination for shopping and sightseeing. There are three key elements: the market, old town and seafront. The old town has narrow, cobbled streets and older fishermen’s houses. The market has two storeys, built in 1937, and is vibrant and colourful. At the seafront, a modern cable car station takes passengers to the hill top town of Monte. This is where the wealthy merchants of Funchal lived to enjoy the cooler air and is well known as the start of the famous wooden toboggan ride down the cobbled streets. There are also some beautiful botanical gardens to visit.

Rural interior – Not far from Funchal is an area dominated by small scale agricultural landscapes and more spectacular gardens to visit. The interior also has micro-climates, depending on altitude, allowing locals to grow a diversity of crops, with bananas below and vines planted on narrow terraces carved out of the mountains. There are spectacular peaks, waterfalls and vistas. 

Madeira has a unique irrigation system, channels dug out carrying water down mountains, called levadas. Alongside these is a network of walking trails wrapping around the island, which suit all ages and abilities.

Shops & facilities

There are a small selection of shops for basics, within walking distance of the hotel. Otherwise gift shopping can be done in Funchal, a bus ride away.

We recognise that everyone’s travel arrangements are unique, so all our holidays to Europe can be booked ‘with flight’ or ‘without flight’, giving you more flexibility and choice.