Self guided walking holidays in Madeira
| country: | Portugal | ||||
| location: | Madeira | ||||
| trip type: | Self guided, moderate walking holidays | ||||
| departures: | Available throughout the year | ||||
| price: | From 384 - 505 euro (8 days) excluding flights. Price depends on holiday chosen - see below for details. Please ensure that you state which trip you are interested in
| ||||
| more info: | Is Madeira safe now? Check the FCO advice here | ||||
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
check out similar holiday ideas...
introduction to Self guided walking holidays in Madeira
For centuries Madeira has been a haven for those wanting to escape the turmoils of modern life.
Few destinations offer such a variety of scenery - breathtaking sea cliffs, rocky peaks, alpine plateaux, lush valleys and mountain terracing, yet Madeira retains an unspoilt beauty and natural charm.
Discovering Madeira, from €384 - €426 (8 days) ex flights
This self guided walk is two centre based - 4 nights in Funchal and 3 nights at Machico on the east coast. Access to the start of some of the walks and the return is by local bus.
Magical Madeira - away from it all, from €470 - €505 (8 days) ex flights
This self-guided walk allows you to explore much of the centre and eastern half of the island, taking you essentially on a circular route from Funchal up to the north coast and back through the high peaks that dominate the centre of the island. Access to the start of some of the walks and the return is by local bus. Some of the walks may not be suitable if you suffer from vertigo.
Few destinations offer such a variety of scenery - breathtaking sea cliffs, rocky peaks, alpine plateaux, lush valleys and mountain terracing, yet Madeira retains an unspoilt beauty and natural charm.
Discovering Madeira, from €384 - €426 (8 days) ex flights
This self guided walk is two centre based - 4 nights in Funchal and 3 nights at Machico on the east coast. Access to the start of some of the walks and the return is by local bus.
| Day 1: | Arrival at Funchal airport and transfer to Funchal, overnight Funchal. |
| Day 2: | Transfer to the start of the walk. A superb walk through a landscape rich with vineyards, and fruit trees. Following the Levada do Norte. The full walk is 20km/12.5miles but it can easily be cut short, as the return bus route is close by, overnight Funchal. |
| Day 3: | After visiting the famous Nossa Senhora do Monte church the walk takes you through Paradise valley down to the village of Camacha, famous for its wickerwork, 13km/8.2miles, overnight Funchal. |
| Day 4: | The walk today takes you to Curral das Freiras ('Nuns Refuge') an idyllic spot surrounded on all sides by jagged mountain peaks, the bus journey back is breathtaking, 10km/6.2miles, overnight Funchal. |
| Day 5: | Transfer to the start of the walk. A wonderful walk along the Levada do Furado and through lush pastureland with fabulous views down to the coast, 14km/8.7miles, overnight Machico. |
| Day 6: | Today we offer a choice of walks: the spectacular north coast path with its rugged proud beauty, or along the Levada do Caniçal, both walks are 13km/8.2miles, overnight Machico. |
| Day 7 | A short walk allowing you plenty of time to explore the beautiful São Lourenço Point with its stunning lava rocks, 7km/4.3miles, overnight Machico. |
| Day 8/TD> | Transfer back to the airport in Funchal. |
Magical Madeira - away from it all, from €470 - €505 (8 days) ex flights
This self-guided walk allows you to explore much of the centre and eastern half of the island, taking you essentially on a circular route from Funchal up to the north coast and back through the high peaks that dominate the centre of the island. Access to the start of some of the walks and the return is by local bus. Some of the walks may not be suitable if you suffer from vertigo.
| Day 1: | Arrival at Funchal airport and transfer to your hotel in Camacha, overnight Camacha. |
| Day 2: | A walk from the famous village of Monte with its historical church and beautiful gardens, the levada walk in the summer months is particularly glorious with the drangeas and lilies, 12.5km/8miles, overnight in Camacha. |
| Day 3: | Transfer to the start of the walk. A varied walk between rocky outcrops along the Levada do Furado, before dropping down onto lush pasture and all the time wonderful views, 14km /8.5miles, overnight in Machico. |
| Day 4: | The spectacular north coast is the destination today, wild, rugged and very beautiful, 13km/ 8.2miles, overnight in Machico. |
| Day 5: | Transfer to the start of the walk. Following the levadas westwards, crossing ravines to come to one of the most remote areas of the island, a wonderful day, 12km/8miles, overnight in Santana. |
| Day 6: | Transfer to the start of the walk. Time to head for the mountains and a walk along the levadas and through the tunnels to Folhadal (the place of the lily of the valley trees) and along the way spectacular views down to the coast. 13km/8.2miles, overnight in Encumeada. |
| Day 7: | Transfer to the start of the walk. An easy walk along the Levada do Norte with great views down to the coast, this is the perfect way to wind down from an action packed week, 16km/10miles, overnight Funchal. |
| Day 8: | Transfer back to the airport in Funchal |
traveller reviews for Self guided walking holidays in Madeira
I loved the time spent in Machico, its a lovely place to relax after a day walking. However, the best for me was the walking up in the North (I think it was the North) where Madeira is luscious and the scenery is spectacular. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
 We actively encourage our clients to be environmentally aware of all their actions and act in a proper, responsible manner at all times.Information, tips and recommendations on the life and customs of the local people are given to all clients. As much as we can our office recycles waste and we use recycled products when ever possible. All possible steps are taken to ensure that we operate all our tours in an environmentally responsible manner by example, using local guides when ever possible. We always use local services and accommodation as well as visiting rural restaurants and local shops selling local products. We are aware that travel in any country has some effect on the area and with this in mind we strive to lessen the impact, promote local employment through use and at all times show a positive attitude towards the environment and encourage others to appreciate its importance. We also pay our guides, local services and accommodation the market price for their services. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
check out similar holiday ideas...