Walking holiday in Madeira
Highlights
Funchal | Ponta de Sao Lourenco | north coast path to Porto da Cruz | Levada do Caldeirao Verde to Ilha village | Pico Ruivo ascent | Torrinhas Pass | stone staircase descent to Encumeada | Mercado dos Lavradores | Se Cathedral | optional wine tasting in Funchal |Description of Walking holiday in Madeira
A walking holiday in Madeira will leave you in no uncertain terms as to the peaceful nature of the island with gentle gradients taking you through a rich variety of coastal and interior scenes where manmade levadas carry water from one agricultural project to the next and, in so doing, provide a rather handy series of footpaths.From isolated villages and well-worn stone staircases to exploring the open markets and trading heritage of Funchal, Madeira walking holidays offer the perfect marriage of relaxation and cultural heritage with a brilliant background of stunning scenery to present Portugal’s natural beauty from an altogether different perspective.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Activity:As we spend the most part of this trip climbing and travelling by foot, the need for fuel chugging transport is largely eliminated. We operate with a strict ‘leave no trace’ policy in order to protect the colourful flora and fauna we see along the way. At Funchal, clients have the chance to soak up some culture by seeing the Sé Cathedral, which was built between 1493 and 1514. Alternatively, we can support local craft and business by taking part in a tasting session of some of Madeira’s world renowned wines.
Accommodation and Meals:
Throughout your trek you will stay in good quality hotels and simple pensions. All of the accommodation is locally owned and run, which contributes to local employment levels. Each hotel is on a bed and breakfast basis, with a continental spread of fresh fruit, cheese, eggs, meats and bread. Lunches can be purchased at supermarkets or cafes recommended by your guide and dinners are a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with Portuguese cuisine. Typical dishes include cod fish with potatoes and cream, grilled black scabbard fish, skewered or fried beef and honey cake.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
The Impacts of this Trip
Community:
We make several stops at villages and towns on our route, including Porto da Cruz, Santana, Encumeada , Curral das Freiras and Corticeiras. Several of these locations are quite rural and on an already small island, the local communities here depend heavily on tourism as a means of income. We use locally run shops, restaurants, transfers and public transport which helps boost the economy of each area on the trip. The 'Mercado dos Lavradores' (workers’ market) at Funchal is a highlight in terms of supporting small businesses in the area. Locals and tourists gather here to do business, buy and sell colourful fruit, fresh fish and souvenirs.
A Fair Deal:
We work closely with our local operator and ensure that all of our guides are local and that in exchange for their expertise that they are paid and treated fairly. The leaders will give a briefing on Responsible Tourism issues to help you understand how you can help reduce your impact and maximise the benefits to the local community from your visit
Activity:As we spend the most part of this trip climbing and travelling by foot, the need for fuel chugging transport is largely eliminated. We operate with a strict ‘leave no trace’ policy in order to protect the colourful flora and fauna we see along the way. At Funchal, clients have the chance to soak up some culture by seeing the Sé Cathedral, which was built between 1493 and 1514. Alternatively, we can support local craft and business by taking part in a tasting session of some of Madeira’s world renowned wines.
Accommodation and Meals:
Throughout your trek you will stay in good quality hotels and simple pensions. All of the accommodation is locally owned and run, which contributes to local employment levels. Each hotel is on a bed and breakfast basis, with a continental spread of fresh fruit, cheese, eggs, meats and bread. Lunches can be purchased at supermarkets or cafes recommended by your guide and dinners are a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with Portuguese cuisine. Typical dishes include cod fish with potatoes and cream, grilled black scabbard fish, skewered or fried beef and honey cake.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
The Impacts of this Trip
Community:
We make several stops at villages and towns on our route, including Porto da Cruz, Santana, Encumeada , Curral das Freiras and Corticeiras. Several of these locations are quite rural and on an already small island, the local communities here depend heavily on tourism as a means of income. We use locally run shops, restaurants, transfers and public transport which helps boost the economy of each area on the trip. The 'Mercado dos Lavradores' (workers’ market) at Funchal is a highlight in terms of supporting small businesses in the area. Locals and tourists gather here to do business, buy and sell colourful fruit, fresh fish and souvenirs.
A Fair Deal:
We work closely with our local operator and ensure that all of our guides are local and that in exchange for their expertise that they are paid and treated fairly. The leaders will give a briefing on Responsible Tourism issues to help you understand how you can help reduce your impact and maximise the benefits to the local community from your visit
4 Reviews of Walking holiday in Madeira
Reviewed on 03 Apr 2019 by Hanna Makkonen
All in all the week was absolutely great. Thank you. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Mar 2019 by Helen Botham
It was super, good to have a couple of free days to explore and great walks and company Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Oct 2018 by Jo Sheppard
The most memorable part was following the narrow steep stone paths over the highest mountains. We really were up in the clouds...It is the first time we have been on a walking holiday and certainly would go again and recommend to others. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Apr 2018 by Andy Hill
The most memorable was the volcanic geology flora and fauna. Stunning scenery. Very enjoyable. Some strenuous sections but the levadas are largely gentle slopes following the contours. Read full review
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