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Day 1: Arrival at Funchal Airport. Transfer to Machico.
Airport welcome and taxi transfer to Machico. Machico, the first town founded in Madeira, is the former capital city of this island. Today it has become a small peaceful seaside resort. Depending on your time of arrival, have a wander through the village or walk along the beachside promenade.
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Day 2. Machico - Sao Lourenço Peninsula - Machico (7-8km, 3hrs, +430m/-430m)
Discover the raw, untamed beauty of the Peninsula of São Lourenço, a stunning natural sanctuary located on the easternmost tip of Madeira Island. The landscape here contrasts dramatically with the rest of the island, swapping lush forests for a striking semi-arid climate and rugged basalt cliffs carved over millennia by fierce winds and powerful ocean waves. Hiking through this unique nature reserve offers an exceptional opportunity to observe rare flora and fauna found nowhere else on the island, all set against a backdrop of deep blue waters and volcanic rock formations.
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Day 3. Machico - Boca do Risco - Porto da Cruz (13km, 4,30hrs, +460m/-665m)
Start your second self-guided walking adventure in Madeira with a transfer to the historic Tunnel of Caniçal for the departure to one of the most beautiful coastal hikes on the island. Your hiking trail leads you along an unforgettable footpath suspended 300m above the Atlantic Ocean, offering uninhibited views of the dramatic coastline. You will first walk past the scenic terraced pastures of the Ribeira Seca valley before joining the famous coastal path of Boca do Risco. This breathtaking section gives you a striking, high-angle view of the ocean backwash and secluded coves hidden directly below the cliffs. Your first Madeira hiking journey concludes with a rewarding descent down to the ocean and into the historic fishermen’s village of Porto da Cruz. Nestled along the rugged northern coast, Porto da Cruz thrives as a traditional seaside haven because it occupies one of the rare areas in Madeira where the towering cliffs do not drop directly into the Atlantic.
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Day 4. Porto da Cruz - Levada do Castelejo - Porto da Cruz (14km, 5hrs, +660m/-660m)
Embark on a captivating loop walk through one of the most rural and authentic areas of Madeira, where you will experience the island's traditional heart. Your hiking journey begins among picturesque houses draped in vibrant orchids, leading you to marvel at the unique terraced crops locally known as poios. These historic terraces showcase a timeless way of life, as many local farmers still meticulously tend to this steep land manually. Leaving the farmland behind, you will step into the natural temple of the pristine laurissilva forest, a primary woodland that feels untouched by time. The route follows the gentle flow of a traditional levada irrigation channel, guiding you deeper into the dramatic and lush valley. Your return journey takes you along ancient, carefully restored paths that lead back to the charming village of São Roque do Faial. To conclude this unforgettable day of exploration, a pre-arranged transfer will bring you back to the scenic seaside village of Porto da Cruz.
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Day 5. Porto da Cruz - Caldeiro Verde - Ilha - Porto da Cruz (14km, 4,30hrs, +90m/-620m)
Enjoy a short transfer to the starting point of your walk, where you will discover one of the most spectacular levada hikes in all of Madeira. The trail invites you into the heart of the famous laurisilva, a precious remnant of the island's ancient, humid, and subtropical laurel forest. As you make your way through the lush landscape, you will navigate several hand-carved tunnels and safe cliffside passageways that offer dramatic views of the deep valleys. The absolute highlight of this trek is reaching the famous Green Cauldron, also known as Caldeirão Verde, where a magnificent waterfall plunges into a mossy, hidden lagoon. After soaking in the magic of this natural amphitheater, you will trace your steps back along the path before beginning a scenic descent toward the isolated village of Ilha. This downward path treats you to incredible, panoramic vantage points over the vast Atlantic Ocean before your return transfer brings you back to Porto da Cruz.
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Day 6. Porto da Cruz - Pico Ariero - Pico Ruivo - Achada Texeira - Funchal (8km, 4hrs, +690m/-890m)
Prepare for an unforgettable challenge as you conquer Pico Ruivo, the highest point on mountainous Madeira standing at an impressive 1,862 m a.s.l. This spectacular hike traverses the dramatic central ridge of the island, immersing you in a fascinating mineral universe of rugged volcanic peaks. You will journey between the two highest summits of Madeira, connecting the iconic Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters to the majestic Pico Ruivo. The summit rewards your efforts with breathtaking, 360-degree views over the entire island, stretching across deep ravines and floating above a sea of clouds on clear days. After completing this exhilarating high-altitude trek, a comfortable transfer will carry you down to the vibrant coastal city of Funchal, where you will check in and settle for a relaxing two-night stay.
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Day 7. Funchal (free day)
Free day of sightseeing around Funchal - the capital of Madeira, and a charming city built like an amphitheater around the bay. The city’s name originates from the word fennel (Foncho in Portuguese) that grew in the bay when the Portuguese first landed here. It is great to wander through the paved streets, the colourful gardens and walkways along the coast. There are many optional day tours, which you can book in advance or try to arrange on spot (or make your own way to the sites of interest): 1) Go up to the Monte Palace tropical gardens via cable car. You will get a panoramic view over the city; 2) Go down from Monte to Funchal city center on a “Carreiro do Monte” - a traditional wicker-made sledge, used by the locals as a quick way of getting to Funchal; 3) Book a whale-watching trip aboard a catamaran (best to be booked between April and October, when as many as 20 species of cetaceans (dolphins and whales) inhabit the waters of Madeira); 4) Book a day trip to Porto Santo Island to enjoy the beach (carried out in spring and summer; it includes transfer from your hotel to the harbor in Funchal, the ferry round trip, the transfer from the harbor to the Vila Baleira and return in Porto Santo).
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Day 8. Departure day
Appr. 2,30hrs before take-off (exact pick up time will be mentioned in your tour documents), a private taxi will whisk you to Madeira Airport, leaving you with time to savour the final moments of an unforgettable island escape. This will be the conclusion to your self-guided walking holiday, allowing you to relax and reflect on your incredible hiking journey through the dramatic landscapes, lush forests, and rugged coastlines of the island.
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