Madeira walking holiday

Madeira is a Portuguese island located in the Atlantic Ocean and a part of the archipelago of the same name. The capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is almost 1 000km away! The islands of the archipelago are volcanic, but Madeira has a unique characteristic; despite its volcanic origin, it is a very green and lush island. From its small black sand beaches to its highest peaks, a Madeira walking holiday is a surprising blend of contrasts and colour with a year-round pleasant climate.

Stunning landscapes on your Madeira hikes

A Madeira walking holiday offers an abundance of beautiful and natural landscapes. When you travel to the island, your first stop will be the capital Funchal, a city made to explore on foot, boasting a rich colonial past mixed with a modern-day vibe. Water is omnipresent on all our Madeira walking tours. The Island is famous for its levadas – a 2 000km network of small canals that carry and provide water for the whole island, allowing a variety of crops to grow, including sweet potatoes, papayas and avocados. Today, the levadas map out many of the walks. You can also admire the great variety of vegetation including some of the most unique flora worldwide, with rare exotic plants and endemic species, not forgetting the unique Laurisilva primary forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is a place of contrast. One day, you gain height on your self-guided walking holiday in Madeira and conquer the famous ‘picos’ at over 1 800m high, the following day you strap on your headlamp and walk through dark tunnels. The landscape can be sparse and arid in parts and of the lushest green in just a few hours. Between the jagged peaks and flat plateaus, waterfalls and primary forest, we have Madeira hikes to suit everyone!

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Self-Drive: Discover Madeira at your own pace !
      • Portugal - Madeira
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • A complete exploration of the island from East to West, and North to South
  • The freedom of the rental car to discover the island at your own pace
  •  A choice of easy, moderate or challenging hikes - to choose according to your mood and fitness level of the day
  • 4 dinners included and a free choice of local restaurants in Porto Moniz and Funchal
  • A free day in Funchal to discover the city through its many activities


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

The family adventure in Madeira
      • Portugal - Madeira
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • A self-catering holiday with a hire car
  • A wide range of activities to discover the island : kayak & walks
  • Most emblematic hikes on the itinerary
  • Comfortable accommodation in ideal locations


Customize your holiday by contacting us here 

Madeira walking: from Picos to Levadas trails
      • Portugal - Madeira
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • The most emblematic walks of the island of Madeira
  •  Discover the primary laurel forest, an UNESCO World Heritage site
  •  An itinerary alternating between Levada walks and mountain walks
  • 6 dinners included
  • Daily private transfers included


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

Walking & wellness in Madeira
      • Portugal - Madeira
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Superior

Highlights of the trip

  • Free access to the wellness area - jacuzzi, indoor pool, sauna - at your accommodations
  • Optimal location to explore the island: based in the north and then in the south
  • A choice of several hikes 
  • Private taxi transfer throughout the trip


Customize your holiday by contacting us here 

Gourmet walks on the flower island
      • Portugal - Madeira
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • Easy hikes accessible to all, on the most emblematic sites : Sao Lorenzo, Primary forest (UNESCO Site), Pico Ruivo (1862m)
  • Overnight stay in a vineyard that produces the famous Madeira Wine
  • 5 dinners included to enjoy Madeira's culinary specialities including two meals in typical restaurants 
  • A gourmet walk through the city of Funchal, a wine day-tour
  • Option : to book a table in a Michelin starred restaurant in Funchal or/and a dinner at a local's home


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

Where to hike on your Madeira walking holiday

Have we already mentioned how varied Maderia is? We really cannot stress this point enough! Our Madeira hikes cover a range of landscapes starting of course with the city of Funchal. Built like an Amphitheatre around the bay, Funchal (from the Portuguese ‘fennel’ which was found growing wild on the island) is a vibrant city where you can lose yourself for hours meandering through the streets, admiring the colonial architecture and the stunning Botanical Gardens.

During the course of your trip, you will walk alongside the many levadas that cover the island, leading you through typical villages & farms, up to the highest peaks and into the Laurisilva forest. The immense Primary Forest is magnificent. Enjoy a walk through the largest laurel forest in the world that plays a key role in maintaining the biodiversity of Madeira and is home to many endemic fauna and flora.

 From the enclosed space of the Laurisilva forest to the highest peaks on the island, you can take in some incredible 360° views on your Madeira walking holiday! Walk along the ridge path between the peaks, past waterfalls and gullies and enjoy the jaw dropping panoramic views in all directions.

 If you are looking for an easy Madeira walking holiday, with gentle walks and a focus on local cuisine and culture, then look no further, our “Gourmet walks on the flower island trip” is just the ticket! With a guided tour of the Botanical gardens, a basic Portuguese lesson for beginners, a gourmet walk through the streets of Funchal and a tour of a local vineyard with tasting, you will experience Madeira differently on this trip, getting up close and personal with the locals and immersing yourself in the local culture.

We provide excellent walking notes for our Madeira hikes, including points of interest and cultural references and we also provide the GPS files for all of the walks to ensure that your Madeira walking holiday goes as smoothly as possible.

 

When is the best time to enjoy a Madeira walking holiday ?

The wonderful thing about the island of Madeira is that the climate is extremely pleasant all year round. Temperatures tend to average around 16° in the winter and 21° in the summer, with an average sea water temperature between 17° and 23°. During the winter months, there can be snow on the highest peaks.

You can book a flight to Madeira through many airline companies, and plenty are direct, landing in the capital city of Funchal. We work with plenty of hotels and are able to offer a range of accommodation choices, from simple, to comfort, to charming hotels and B&Bs. We know how important a good night’s sleep is on a Madeira walking holiday, especially after a day on the trail. We have handpicked our accommodations and our team of track finders, experts of the destination, head to Madeira at least twice a year to touch base and quality check. We are proud of our Madeira catalogue and look forward to welcoming you on the trails!