Walking Madeira the beautiful island grand circle 10 days
Details
Join us for a fabulous walking holiday offering unique coastal hikes and blooming gardens, fabulous scenery and best of all twin share accommodation and luggage transfers throughout!
Discover Madeira's diverse landscapes on this self-guided walking tour. Hike along dramatic coastal paths and levadas, including the spectacular Boca do Risco route and the wild north coast.
Experience the UNESCO-listed laurel forests, the mystical Fanal plateau, and Porto Moniz's natural lava pools. Walk through traditional Santana village, along Levada do Rei and Levada do Norte, to Europe's highest sea cliff at Cabo Girao.
The tour concludes in colorful Funchal with its botanical gardens. Daily walks up to 5.5 hours require good fitness and sure-footedness.
Explore the diverse and impressive island in the Atlantic Ocean. There are steep and rugged coastal lines, green hills and small bays great for swimming as well as cloud forests and sun-drenched banana plantations.
The flower island, Madeira, offers a versatile scenery and a pleasant climate all year round. The dry east, the cool north, the barren mountains, the moist high plateaus and the sunny south all invite you to come and explore this wonderful island. At all times of the year, there are different flowers and trees blooming at different altitudes. The friendly and tradition-conscious locals invite you to get to know their country and their culture. Discover all sides of Madeira on this round trip!
Itinerary at a glance:
| Day | Location & Activity | Distance & Walking Time |
| --- | ------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Day 1 | Arrival in Porto da Cruz: Check in & relax on the black sand beach, visit the historic sugar mill, or take a warm-up coastal walk. | Flexible |
| Day 2 | Wild North Coast Walk: Transfer to Machico and hike along the Vereda do Larano coastal route via Boca do Risco back to Porto da Cruz. | ~15 km (5 hrs) |
| Day 3 | Santana, Levada do Rei & São Vicente: Visit Santana’s thatched houses, then walk through primeval forest along Levada do Rei to Ribeiro Bonito before heading to São Vicente. | ~17 km (6 hrs) |
| Day 4 | Paul da Serra Plateau & Fanal to Porto Moniz: High-altitude mountain walk through ancient UNESCO-listed laurel forests to Fanal, ending at Hotel Euro Moniz and its natural lava pools. | ~11 km (3.5 hrs) |
| Day 5 | Southwest Coast & Levada do Norte to Funchal: Hike through terraced farmlands along Levada do Norte past Cabo Girão, then transfer to Four Views Baía in Funchal. | ~12 km (4 hrs) |
| Day 6 | Monte & Botanical Gardens: Cable car to Monte, visit Nossa Senhora do Monte, walk through subtropical vegetation to the Botanical Garden, and return to Funchal. | ~8 km (3 hrs) |
| Day 7 | Optional Walk 1 – Peak to Peak (Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo): Hike Madeira's high-mountain ridge trail connecting its highest peaks for panoramic summit views and cloudscapes. | ~12 km (4.5 hrs) |
| Day 8 | Optional Walk 2 – Levada dos Tornos & Camacha: Follow flower-lined levada paths from Camacha through oak and eucalyptus forests back down toward Funchal. | ~13 km (4 hrs) |
| Day 9 | Optional Walk 3 – Ponta de São Lourenço Peninsula: Explore the dramatic, arid cliffside trails of Madeira's easternmost point surrounded by the ocean. | ~8 km (3.5 hrs) |
| Day 10 | Departure Day: Final morning stroll along the Funchal seafront promenade or Mercado dos Lavradores before departing. | Flexible |
Price will be finalised asap...
Inclusions: 3-star & 4-star hotels (2x 2-star in Porto da Cruz)
- Daily breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- 8 local route transfers (Porto da Cruz, Machico, Santana, São Vicente, Paul da Serra, Porto Moniz, Calheta, Boa Morte)
- 1 cable car ascent Monte/Funchal
- Entrance fees Levada hikes
At the time of RSVP please email [[david@discoverytravel.com.au](mailto:david@discoverytravel.com.au)](mailto:david@discoverytravel.com.au) your full name and mobile number, A deposit of $450 is required only when price is condirmed to secure your space and is non refundable, please ensure adequate travel insurance.
Important Booking Details & Terms
Join us for an unforgettable international adventure! Before reserving your spot, please review these key travel terms:
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance (Compulsory): All participants must hold adequate travel insurance covering overseas medical expenses, pre-existing conditions, and supplier insolvency before departure.
- Deposits & Pricing: Your deposit is non-refundable. To lock in your final rate against currency fluctuations, full payment is required. Prices remain subject to change until paid in full.
- Itinerary: Schedules and planned activities are subject to slight changes to give you the best possible experience.
- Payment Facilitation: Payments for this trip are processed through Discovery Travel, a licensed travel agency, providing you with added security. Please note that Discovery Travel acts strictly as a payment facilitator and holds no responsibility for trip inclusions, bookings, or group management.
By RSVP this meetup you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of Aussie Explorers which can be found here:
https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers/
Important Liability Notice & Safety Disclaimer
By RSVP and participating in this Aussie Explorers trip, you agree to the following terms:
- Personal Responsibility: Safety is a shared responsibility. While Aussie Explorers leaders and organizers work hard to facilitate a fun, organized, and secure environment, outdoor adventures and international travel carry inherent risks. You are responsible for your own personal safety, fitness, and belongings throughout the trip.
- Limitation of Liability: Aussie Explorers, its organizers, and trip leaders accept no legal or financial liability for any injury, illness, loss, damage, expense, or inconvenience incurred during this meetup.
- Activity Hazards: Participating in outdoor activities, hiking, and international exploration involves natural hazards and unexpected changes in conditions. Please ensure you are prepared, follow group guidance, and know your personal limits.
