Walking Holidays in Portugal - Madeira - Great Treks of the West

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.

Self guided

We provide detailed walking notes and a contoured map of the island showing paths and tracks. Walk at your own pace and linger at whichever of the many viewpoints you wish.

Baggage transfer

Your luggage is transported for you from hotel to hotel so you can then travel with day rucksacks. Some days you are taken to the start of a walk and/or collected at the end. These transfers are included in the price.

Walk Grading

Self Guided- Moderate

For information about walk grading please click here

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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 200m Descent 700m

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 3½ hours Ascent 0m Descent 1280m

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 3½ 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 400m Descent 850m

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 5¼ hours Ascent 170m Descent 1150m

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 5¾ hours Ascent 700m Descent 700m

Day 8 If not on an early flight enjoy the facilities of the hotel before being transferred to the airport 1 hour.

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Available year round except November December and January.

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