Internationale groepsreis Walking in Madeira

We start at our hotel in Machico which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay. Overnight in Machico.

Today we walk the classic route along the Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Although challenging, this path takes us through some fantastic scenery as we admire wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist this windy environment and manage to grow in soils with high levels of salinity. Rocks, sculptured by nature, have a great diversity of colours ranging from black to red, and are in stark contrast to the blue of the ocean. Madeira's Nature Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha. We return to our hotel in Machico in the afternoon, and there is some free time to explore the village or relax at the beach.Overnight in Machico.

This morning we will walk a scenic route along a cliff trail along the north coast. After catching the public bus, we set off along the little Levada do Caniçal, more modest and quieter than yesterday's path, then begin a gradual climb up to the crest of the cliffs at Boca do Risco where we enjoy some amazing views along the north coast. We then head west along the coastal path: a spectacular route, in many places cut right into the cliff. We finally descend to Porto da Cruz, once a bustling port but now a sleepy, picturesque village. Time permitting (and if open), we will have a short look around a rum factory that has been producing Madeira rum for several centuries. Later, we transfer to Santana for the night.Overnight in Santana.

After a quick stop to admire the famous thatched-roof houses of Santana, we take a short transfer inland to Queimadas Natural Park, where we will walk along the Levada do Caldeirão Verde. This route has many waterfalls and we may need to pass under some to continue the path. We will use our torches to walk through tunnels carved into the mountains. We finish the walk with a descent into the village of Ilha before returning to Santana for the night.Overnight in Santana.

Today we make the most strenuous walk of the trip. We depart early to reach the island's highest mountain, Pico Ruivo (1,862m) in time for sunrise, taking the 3km path from Achado do Teixeira. Afterwards, we continue the hike to Pico Arieiro (1,818m), the third-highest peak on the island, for more fantastic views over Madeira. The path has lots of ascents and descents along the way, but the memorable scenery is ample reward. At the end of the walk, we will transfer to historic Funchal, our base for the last three nights of the trip.Overnight in Funchal.Please note: On occasion, the route to Pico Ruivo may be closed due to landslides or inclement weather. Our guide will always try to find an alternative route up to Pico Ruivo, but if this is not possible, an alternative walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela will be offered. The route traverses Madeira's native forest and offers some wonderful coastal views.

The Levada do Norte is one of the largest and most important levadas on Madeira, and runs through much of the region. We walk a beautiful stretch beginning at Eira do Mourão in Ribeira Brava. After taking the public bus to our starting point, we will climb a steep stone staircase through the hills, leading to incredible views at an altitude of 580m over the lush landscape of Quinta Grande, Campanario and Câmara de Lobos. We're likely to see locals working the land, as well as the precious flora and fauna that make this island so memorable. Finally, the route winds down a gentle ascent to Cabo Girão viewpoint and the conclusion of the week's hiking activities. We return to Funchal for a farewell dinner (not included).Overnight in Funchal.

Our last day is free for you to explore Funchal, the Madeira archipelago's capital. The city is easily explored on foot and sites of interest include Sé Cathedral, built between 1493 and 1514, and the imposing statue of Madeira's founder, João Gonçalves Zarco, on the Avenida Arriaga.Alternatively, take the cable car to Monte Palace and Tropical Gardens to enjoy fascinating installations and magnificent views over the city, learn about the production of Madeira's ever popular wine at Blandy's Wine Lodge, or join a whale-watching tour to catch a glimpse of some of the 28 whale and dolphin species that grace Madeira's waters throughout the year.Overnight in Funchal.

The trip ends in Funchal.