Madeira Paradise

Day 1: Arrival in Funchal Airport and transfer to Ponta do Sol
Day 2: Levada do Moinho, 6.2 mi. (10 km)
Day 3: Hike Rabaçal and 25 Fontes, 6.2 mi. (10 km)
Day 4: Jardim do Mar to Paúl do Mar, 4 mi. (6 km)
Day 5: Paúl da Serra to Fanal, 6.2 mi. (10 km)
Day 6: Levada do Moinho to Porto Moniz, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Day 7: Funchal and Cape Girão
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Arrival at Funchal Airport
Welcome to Madeira! Your guide will pick you up at the airport and drive you to Ponta do Sol (55 mins). Once at your accommodation, you check in and relax and recover. Spend some time at the swimming pool and enjoy the beautiful mountain views.

Accommodation: Estalagem Ponta do Sol

Day 2: Levado do Moinho, 6.2 mi. (10 km)
Your day will start with a transfer (20 min) to the beginning of the hike. Once there you start walking in the Levada do Moinho, a great walk with fantastic panoramic views of the valley. This is a very pleasant and easy trail to begin with, allowing you to enjoy the island all year round due to its milder climate. Along the way, you'll see fantastic views arising, such as cultivated farmland, green fields, and the beautiful village of Ponta do Sol. Similar to other walking paths of Madeira Island, the beauty is immense and there is always time to take a break and appreciate the several species of fauna, flora, and lots of waterfalls. End up the hike at the hotel.

Elevation: +100 m
Accommodation: Estalagem Ponta do Sol

Day 3: Rabaçal and 25 Fontes, 6.2 mi. (10 km)
After a 45-minute transfer to the surroundings of Rabaça, you begin a gentle descent on a path that will take you to an impressive waterfall as it goes along the Levada do Risco. This path reveals many landscapes and a wide variety of endemic species. After a short while, you will arrive at the Lagoa das 25 Fontes (Lagoon of the 25 Springs). The waters that formed this place permeated through the wall that forms the lagoon and also cascades vertically from the top of the Moutain Marsh (Paul da Serra). This allowed for the construction of the 25 Fontes Levada in 1835. It is truly a special place. A transfer (20 mins) will be provided to your overnight accommodation.

Elevation: +100 m
Accommodation: Estalagem Ponta do Sol

Day 4: Jardim do Mar - Paúl do Mar, 4 mi. (6 km)
After a 25-minute transfer, you will walk through a route full of heritage, located on the west side of Madeira Island, and was one of the few routes available for the population to access the coastline. It is an opportunity to walk at a leisurely pace and absorb the landscape of the seashore and the land filled with terraced farm plots that are held in place by stone walls. Designated as a "municipal path", this trail is a genuine historical heritage, bearing witness to the isolation of past generations and to the ingenious and difficult trails built by the people to overcome it. The day will end with a short transfer (25 minutes) back, but make sure to explore Paúl do Mar, an old fishing village known for the export of tuna which has a small and lovely parish on the seashore and stunning views of the cliffs.

Elevation: +600 m
Accommodation: Estalagem Ponta do Sol

Day 5: Paúl da Serra to Fanal, 6.2 mi. (10 km)
Short transfer (25 min) to the trail reserved for today, in the area of Laurissilva Forest, classified by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site since 1999 and a member of the European network of sites of community importance - Natura 2000. You will start in Paúl da Serra plateau and follow the trail to visit several viewpoints that showcase the beautiful landscapes highlighting the valley of Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira. Pay attention to the area known as "Fio", where visitors can appreciate what is left of an ingenious apparatus of steel cables that were used to carry wood and shrubs collected in the Fanal forest. After, you will arrive at Fanal, a small volcanic crater classified as a resting reserve of the Natural Park of Madeira with the centenary forest of Ocofeafoefens trees. You will be transferred (25 mins) back to your hotel.

Elevation: +200 m
Accommodation: Aqua Nature Bay

Day 6: Levada do Moinho to Porto Moniz, 6.8 mi. (11 km)
Today is going to be an amazing day! Find some dense landscape where you can feel and hear the water falling from the rocks, creating a natural and relaxing symphony of sounds. Enjoy the fantastic scenery that arises, full of maritime pine, eucalyptus, and other dense vegetation that is characteristic of the native forest-Laurissilva. You will pass by species such as the Canary Willow, the large Madeira Laurel, Madeira Mahogany, and the Lily-of-the-valley-tree, that abound along the Levada. The walk then meanders into open areas until the end of the hike, passing through small rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. Some stone stairs will take you to the entrance doors of the Porto Moniz. Your hotel awaits, but if you still have energy, do not forget to visit the natural pools in the town.

Elevation: +200 km
Accommodation: Aqua Nature Bay

Day 7: Funchal and Cape Girão
After a 45-minute transfer to Cape Girão, you will have some free time there. Once there in the belvedere enjoy one of the most panoramic views of the Island, including the views of Funchal. After a twenty-minute transfer, you arrive in Funchal and have the rest of the day free. This is the most famous city of Madeira and people love to walk the streets of its cosmopolitan center. Look for its historical sites like the cathedral or find the best ocean-view spots. The opportunities are endless. You must also find the market of Funchal and enjoy part of your day tasting the best gastronomy from the islands; from a meat skewer to banana cake or the traditional Poncha drink. You will not be disappointed! 

Accommodation: Castanheiro Boutique Hotel

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, you will take your transfer back to the airport (30 mins) or extend your stay with a few extra nights. 

If walking Madeira Island isn't your flavor, check out our full list of hiking & walking tours or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.

You will be accommodated in family-owned Agriturismo establishments or 3-star hotels, such as Estalagem Ponta do Sol in Madeira and Castanheiro Boutique Hotel in Funchal. Please see the day-to-day details for preferred hotels. The final hotel list will be based on availability.