Hiking from mountain to sea in Madeira

8 days / 7 nights

7 Breakfasts included

Day 1: Arrival to Machico

Welcome at the airport and taxi transfer to Machico. Machico, the first city founded in Madeira, is the former capital of this island. Today it has become a small quiet seaside resort. Depending on your arrival time, feel free to wander in the village and stroll along the waterfront promenade.

Accommodation in Machico

Day 2: The Boca do Risco balconies - 13 km, +250 m/-350 m

13 km, +250 m/-350 m

Breakfast

Transfer to Caniçal tunnel, to the starting point for one of the most beautiful hikes in Madeira, on a trail 300 meters above the sea. After the terraced pastures of the Ribeira Seca valley, the coastal trail at Boca do Risco gives you an elevated view over streams below and ends with a great descent to the sea and to the fishing village of Porto da Cruz. It was once a small fishing village since Porto da Cruz lies along the north coast, in one of the few places where the cliffs don't plunge directly into the Atlantic. Transfer to Santana, famous for its typical thatched-roof houses.

Accommodation in Santana

Day 3: Levada do Castelejo - 14 km, +/- 400 m

14 km, +/- 400 m

Breakfast

You set out on a circular hike in one of Madeira's most rural and untouched areas. Among orchid-adorned houses you can admire the unique terraced cultivations – poios – that are typical of the island and where many farmers still work by hand. Then the trail enters the magnificent laurisilva forest, a piece of primeval forest, where you follow a levada that slowly leads you deeper into the valley. On the return you take old, restored paths that lead down towards the village of São Roque do Faial.

Accommodation in Santana

Day 4: Achada do Texeira to Pico das Pedras - 16 km, +385 m/-1055 m

16 km, +385 m/-1055 m

Breakfast

One of the most pleasant alpine hikes on the island! From Achada do Teixeira the trail will lead you to the island's highest point, Pico Ruivo, and later to the mountain range ridges that cross the island from its western to its eastern side. On several occasions the trail will go on both northern and southern slopes and give you fantastic viewpoints over the island's coasts. You will pass different ecosystems such as laurisilva and mountain forests. Arrival at your accommodation located on a plateau, where you will stay for the next two nights.

Accommodation in Encumeada

Day 5: Paul da Serra Plateau - 17 km, +/-650m

17 km, +/-650m

Breakfast

You set out on a beautiful circular hike around the Paul plateau. After following the first levada along the south coast, the trail takes you over the central mountain ridge to Levada do Pináculo, which runs along the northern side of the Paul da Serra plateau. Along the way, primeval forest, babbling waterfalls and magnificent views over São Vicente and the mighty mountain peaks alternate. Then the trail dives into a magnificent forest of tree heather before you connect to Levada do Norte, which winds all the way back to Encumeada.

Accommodation in Encumeada

Day 6: From Paul da Serra Plateau - To Seixal - 16 km, +255m/-1645m

16 km, +255m/-1645m

Breakfast

Today you reach the Paul da Serra plateau (1600 m), which marks the start of your long descent down the northern side of Madeira. After crossing the plateau you arrive at the old Fanal crater. This magical place, home to centuries-old bay trees, is classified as a sanctuary for rest and silence. Discover an ingenious cable system used to transport wood and ferns to the Seixal valley, and then begin your descent to the Chao de Ribeira valley, scattered with basalt stone cottages and cultivated terraces. Arrive at Seixal, a small agricultural and pastoral village that jealously preserves its wild volcanic coves and offers one of Madeira's largest black sand beaches. Well-deserved swim in one of the coves or on the black sand beach. Transfer to Porto Moniz.

Accommodation in Porto Moniz

Day 7: Rabaçal - 11 km, +360m/-640m

11 km, +360m/-640m

Breakfast

Transfer to Paul da Serra plateau to the start of the charming hike in the middle of an enchanted forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the fantastic view over streams and waterfalls and discover the endemic flora that Madeira is so famous for. Return transfer to Porto Moniz.

Accommodation in Porto Moniz

Day 8: Departure from Porto Moniz

Breakfast

The trip ends with transfer to the airport.