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Madeira Eastern Highlights
-Hotel to HoteL Trek |
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Trek the
garden island |
We
also have a Madeira West Hotel to Hotel Trek
Trekking
Why not take the opportunity to stay in
the countryside in small hotels and experience Madeira to the
full? We have put together an itinerary taking in levadas, coastal walks
and high mountain trails. The hotels are all family owned and therefore
you are assured of a fine welcome, and the quality local food will be
something to look forward to at the end of a day’s walking. Your
luggage
 is transferred for you between the
hotels and sometimes you will be transferred by car to ensure that
you only walk the finest paths that Madeira has to offer. You have a
free day in Funchal at the end of the holiday so you can experience the
island’s capital, its old town, shops and restaurants.
The walking
The paths are not difficult to
follow, we provide a map for the journey together with extensive route
notes. A compass is always useful for extra security if there is any low
cloud. There is much variety on the trek mixing levadas with some of the
finest walks that Madeira has to offer. Having a head for heights is an
advantage.
The route
Day
1 Arrive in Madeira and transfer (20 minutes) to your hotel in Camacha.
Explore this delightful village famous for its church and wicker work.
Day
2 Walk along the Levada da Serra which is lined with luxuriant
vegetation and has views over the long narrow Sao Lourenco peninsula. A
short descent to Santo Da Serra finishes the day (12 miles Ascent 650ft
descent 150 ft).
Day 3 After a very short transfer to Morocal walk along the ‘Mimosa’ Levada towards
Machico where you spend the night.
(10 miles Ascent 350ft descent 900 ft).
Day 4 A choice today. Either walk along the
dramatic yet majestic cliffs of the north coast to you hotel at Porto
da Cruz (9.5 miles Ascent 1300ft descent 1300 ft) or if you
are slightly vertigoneous you can a walk on the sun
drenched Sao Lourenço Peninsular on the easternmost tip of the island.
Transfer at the end of the day to Porto da
Cruz. (4.5 miles Ascent 650ft descent 650 ft)
Day 5 Transfer from Porto da Cruz to
Queimadas National Park. Think green. Think of rain forests …of
emeralds. This is Queimadas – a mossy paradise even on the warmest
day. A bonus to this enchanting walk along one of Madeira’s oldest
Levadas is a visit to Ilha, without doubt one of Madeira’s most
picturesque villages. Luggage and guests transfer from Queimadas to
Santana
(8 miles Ascent 560ft descent
1600 ft)
Day 6 You start the day by crossing the
enchanting emerald green Ribeira do Poco valley with its
traditional palheiros (thatched
cowsheds). After climbing to a superb viewpoint at Fenda do
Ferreiro (3660 ft) and crossing
a
steep slope below Pico Grande, you reach the Boca do Cerro pass (4160
ft) with views down into the Curral valley. Walk the remainder of
the route down to Corticeiras (2500 ft) where you travel to
Funchal. (8.5 miles Ascent 1600ft
descent 1000 ft)
Day 7
Day at leisure in Funchal, or go on one of
the walks in our self guided booklet. In the evening choose a restaurant
for your last Madeiran meal of your holiday. Overnight
Funchal.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport for your return
flight. Or, stay on for an self guided week and discover areas of
Madeira you have not visited, using our self guided walk booklet.
Guided
group holidays
Operated
throughout the year. Please see Price and Information supplement. We
believe using local guides is the best option for guided walking in
Madeira. Our guides speak fluent English.
Self
guided
Available throughout the year. We provide
detailed walking notes and a contoured map of the island showing paths
and tracks. You can walk entirely at your own pace; stop to take
photographs as you wish of the views or the many wild flowers that will
line your route. We advise taking a compass and being familiar with its
use for simple navigation.
The hotels and food Your hotels are all comfortable, family run
establishments. They will all provide a delicious Madeiran meal in the
evening (all included except Funchal) and a buffet breakfast. The
gradings vary from 4 star luxury in Funchal to a simple 2 star
residencia in Machico.
How to get there
Madeira is well served by flights from
the UK. There are non-stop scheduled flights from London and connecting
services from many other airports. Madeira also has non-stop charter
flights from most UK airports.
When to go
Madeira
has a pleasant climate well suited to year round walking, summer
temperatures averaging 22C (70F). Winter temperatures average 16c (60F),
making it a particular attraction for those wishing to seek respite from
cold or dismal days at home. The south, the location of the majority of
our walks, rarely sees rain in the summer and usually has only moderate
rainfall in other seasons. The north side, which is more exposed to the
prevailing wind, has more rain.
Getting about
You will be
transferred to your first hotel and returned to the airport from Funchal
at the end of your holiday. Transport is provided as needed during the
week Your baggage will be transfered for you to the next hotel.
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