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Madeira Great Walks of the
West
Hotel to HoteL Trek |
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Trek the
garden island |
We also
have a Madeira East Hotel to Hotel Trek
Trekking
A chance to visit the
enticing and less populated Western region of Madeira offering both
coastal and mountain walking. Stay in just three hotels starting high in
the mountains, progressing to a small coastal village in the north-west
and finishing on an impressive cliff top location with fine views of the
south-west coast. Your route follows coastal and
 mountain
paths and delightful levadas winding their way around dramatic
hillsides. You will be rewarded with stunning vistas of the varying
landscape of this side of the island.
The walking
All the paths are sound underfoot with
a mixture of levada, coastal and mountain path walking. There are
tunnels to pass through, (torch required). Having a head for heights is
an advantage. Some days have long fairly steep descents.
The route
Day 1 Arrive
in Madeira and transfer (1 hour) to your first hotel in Encumeada. Take
time to acclimatise to the height and weather by walking around the
surrounding area.
Day 2 A short
transfer to the start of your first day’s walk which provides some fine
vistas of mountain scenery, with dramatic views across to the central
range of Pico Arieiro, Pico Torres, Pico Ruivo and Pico Grande, as well
as the Ribeira Brava, and Sao Vicente valleys. There is some good
 easy
walking alongside levadas and a small deviation to the summit of Bica da
Cana at 1620m can be taken early in the route. You walk back to your
hotel at Encumeada 8 miles 5 hours Ascent 170m Descent 670m
Day 3 After a
short transfer, this walk follows a long ridge downhill to the sea,
mainly alongside Levada do Lombo do Mouro, and reveals panoramic views
over the Ribeira Brava valley. Transfer back to your hotel at Encumeada
7 miles 4 hours Ascent 0m Descent 1,290m
Day 4 Another
transfer to your start point. Today you walk through the valley of
Ribeira da Janela one of the most unspoilt landscapes of the island and
obtain increasing views of its extent and beauty as you progress up the
Levada da Janela. You walk to your hotel in Porto Moniz 8 miles 3 1/2
hours Ascent 0m Descent 400m
Day 5 A short
transfer to the start of this shorter walk. You have time to savour the
surroundings in more detail. You start with a dramatic coastal descent
and ascent, walk through Santa (a typical
 Madeiran
village with bars to quench your thirst) and descend steeply to your
hotel in Porto Moniz. 5 miles 3 hours Ascent 920m Descent 1010m
Day 6 Transfer
towards the centre of the island today, on a walk which takes you to two
dramatic waterfalls! You walk mostly on levadas and you go through one
tunnel. The vegetation is lush and evergreen throughout, with panoramic
views down the Ribeira da Janela. You are picked up and transferred to
your hotel at Jardim Atlantico 10.5 miles 5 1/4 hours Ascent 150m
Descent 1,170m
Day 7 This is
a five star route on the southwest coast, starting with an exhilarating
descent spiralling down to the fishing village of Paul do Mar. With the
ocean clearly in your sight, you then climb through Faja da Ovelha to
the Levada Nova for a winding return to Prazeres and your hotel. The
vegetation is luxuriant throughout, both on the volcanic cliffs of the
descent, the cliff side ascent, and alongside the levada on the return.
12 miles 5 3/4 hours Ascent 640m Descent 640m
 Day
8 If not on an early flight enjoy the facilities of the hotel before
being transferred to the airport 1 hour.
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
The hotels are all
comfortable, family run establishments and have been chosen for their
friendliness as much as their comfort and location. You commence in a 3*
hotel move to a 3* “residencial” and finish in a 4* hotel. They will
offer a delicious Madeiran evening meal as well as breakfast. All rooms
will be with private bathroom and WC. We will advise on the best place
to obtain a picnic.
.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.
Baggage transfer
Your bag will be
transferred daily to your next hotel so that you can enjoy the walking
with just a day pack.
Getting about You will be
transferred to your first hotel and returned to the airport from the
last hotel
at the end of your holiday. Transport is provided as needed during the
week Your baggage will be transferred for you to the next hotel.
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