Self-Drive: Discover Madeira at your own pace !

For this first day, you have the choice between 3 very different hikes which will all give you an insight into the characteristics of this part of the island: cliffs plunging into the ocean, a particularly defined landscape with mineral crests culminating between 1000m and 1800m and mountainous foothills covered with a unique endemic forest, the laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Easy level :
Characterized by a craggy coastline, drawn by the combined action of the wind and the sea over thousands of years, the São Lourenço peninsula displays unusual rock formations with amazing colours. It is famous for its many birds, endemic plants and fossils. You may like to enjoy a swim along the way in isolated coves.
Walk : Peninsula of São Lourenço Loop | 3h | 7.2 km - 4.5 miles | Elevation : +/-400m

Walking along a centuries old levada carved into the rock, you will discover Madeira's primary forest - the incredible Laurissilva - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Levada rises above dizzying cliffs, passes through 4 tunnels dug into the basalt (don't forget your headlamp) to finally reach the source of the Levada: the Caldeiro Verde, an amphitheatre of subtropical vegetation, framing a waterfall that plunges into a basin.  Return to the Queimadas Botanical Park by the same route.
Walk : Queimadas > Caldeirao Verde > Queimadas | 4h30 | 14 km - 8.6 miles | Elevation : +/-110m

A wide paved and landscaped path leads you to the highest peak of the island, Pico Ruivo (1862m). Breathtaking scenery of the jagged volcanic peaks, the shimmering blue of the ocean with the sea of clouds as a backdrop... This is a spectacular and unmissable stop on the central ridge of the island.
Walk : Achada do Teixeira > Pico Ruivo (round trip) | 2h40 | 5,6 km - 3,5 miles | Elevation : +/-300m

Moderate level :
Far from the hustle and bustle of the island, this loop offers a rich and varied route :  island's endemic vegetation, terraced gardens leading to the picturesque village of Arco de São Jorge and balcony path overlooking the ocean.
Walk : Boaventura loop | 3h | 7 km - 4,3 miles | Elevation : +/-550m

Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Santana or Porto da Cruz

Today you can choose to do one of the 3 suggested hikes on Day 2 before taking the northern road towards Porto Moniz.

The first section of the road is winding and particularly beautiful, alternating between the forest and the sea, offering incredible views of the gigantic cliffs that plunge into the sea.
The next two nights will be spent in Porto Moniz, a small and charming seaside resort at the north-western tip of the island, famous for its natural pools dug into the volcanic rock that fill up with sea water at high tide.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto Moniz

A water themed day awaits you today! We invite you to explore the Rabacal waterfalls on the Paul Plateau.

Easy level:
The levada dos Cedros winds its way through the forest, ending with a magnificent waterfall. You can enjoy the ancient Fanal crater overlooking Seixal, a haven of rest and silence. This magical spot is home to magnificent specimens of century-old laurel trees. 
Walk : Levada dos Cedros loop | 3h | 11 km - 6.8 miles | Elevation : +/- 420m

Moderate level :
On the plateau of Paul da Serra, at an altitude of 1200 metres, the deep valley of Ribeira de Janela is born. On the site of Rabacal, following the numerous levadas that fetch water from the heart of the mountain, you will discover many waterfalls, a forest of remarkable tree heather, the famous giant dandelion and the Madeira daisy.
Walk : Rabacal > 25 fontes (loop) | 4h | 11 km - 6.8 miles | Elevation : +/- 400m

Back in Porto Moniz, take the time to enjoy the natural swimming pools (weather permitting) or a walk along the seafront, visit the Aquarium in the old Fort Saint John the Baptist or climb up to the Santa belvedere for a bird's eye view of the town.

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Porto Moniz

For this brand-new day, you will set off to conquer the Paul Plateau at an altitude of around 1600m in the very centre of Madeira. With its baron and reddish soil, it is as though the world has completely changed! And yet, the lush green of the primary forest is not far away...

Easy level :
Here you have the possibility to do 2 mini hikes, just a few minutes drive from each other. During the day you can easily complete all three loops or decide to do just one :
. The site of Fanal, classified as a haven of tranquillity with its hundred-year-old laurels
Walk : 1h10 | Elevation: +/-75m

Challenging level :
The route starts at the Encumeada pass where you park your vehicle. There is no choice but to start this hike along the asphalt road (40 min) but after that you enter a fairy-tale world: an old path hidden in the vegetation, a flowery levada that passes under some waterfalls, forests of ferns and tree heathers, hand-carved tunnels (do not forget your headlamp!), wooden stairs ... In short, everything that can make for an exciting itinerary is found here!
Walk : Encumeada > Levada do Norte > Encumeada | 5h30 |  14 km - 8.6 miles | Elevation : +320m / -650m

After your day you head south, to a sunny coast where pretty villages nestle and tropical crops (banana, avocado, papaya and mango trees) grow.

Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Jardim do Mar or Paul do Mar or Estreito da Calheta

From the church of Lombada do Ponta do Sol, the starting point of your walk, you follow the Levada do Moinho into the heart of a magnificent valley. On the way, you cross a river with a small waterfall. Aerial passages, tunnels, waterfalls, terraced fields... a perfect combination!

Once you are in Ponta do Sol, you will drive back to your accommodation.

Walk : Ponta do Sol > Levada do Moinho > Ponta do Sol | 3h | 10 km - 6 miles | Elevation : +/-100m
Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Jardim do Mar or Arco de Calheta or Estreito da Calheta

With your vehicle, drive to Funchal, the capital. A charming city built like an amphitheater around the bay, its name comes from the fennel ( Foncho in Portuguese) which grew in the bay when the Portuguese first arrived.

There is no shortage of activities to help you enjoy your day (with supplement -  not included):

. Take the cable car that connects the city centre to the sumptuous tropical gardens in less than 20 minutes.
. Visit the tropical gardens with beautiful plants from all over the world and native plants from the Madeira forest as well as a beautiful collection of azulejos (15th-20th centuries).
. There are 2 ways to get back down to the city centre, either on foot through the picturesque streets or by taking the wicker basket downhill, a traditional means of transport once used by the locals to navigate down through the narrow and steep streets of the island.
. A sea trip on a catamaran (2h30): relaxing off Madeira's spectacular coastline, admiring the wildlife including, dolphins, whales, rorquals and sea birds. 
. A gourmet stroll through the historic centre of Funchal that mixes gastronomic and cultural discovery with no less 15 tastings! (on Tuesday and Friday afternoon or Wednesday morning). 
Night in Funchal

Meals included : breakfast

End of your trip in Funchal, the capital city of Madeira! Drive to the airport where you drop off your rental car and catch your return flight

Meals included : breakfast