Walking Holiday in Portugal - Madeira

Madeira is an island of fascinating natural beauty and enticing climate. It rises steeply from the Atlantic Ocean standing with its small island neighbours in splendid isolation off the coast of Europe and Africa. An island of volcanic origin it is a haven for those seeking a relaxing holiday in close proximity to nature. 

A network of levadas, built to carry water from the springs in the north to irrigate the cultivated areas of the south, contour along the mountain sides, their banks planted with wild hydrangeas lilies and agapanthus. Its mountains are rugged and inspiring, often with splendid sea views. Gardens and parks are everywhere planted with all manner of exotic trees shrubs and blooms.

Madeira has had close links with the U.K. since the birth of its wine trade in the 17th Century. Madeirans are friendly and welcoming people and English is widely spoken.

The historic and beautiful town of Funchal, set in a natural amphitheatre by the sea in the south of the island, is an ideal location for your stay. It has a lively commercial centre with contrasting quiet pedestrianised streets and squares (many painstakingly restored with mosaic-like miniature cobblestones) and an abundance of parks and gardens. 

The Old Town is atmospheric with its street flower-sellers, narrow streets and period buildings. Its vibrant restaurants specialise in delicious fresh fish, kebabs and marinated pork and very many have folk groups and dancing. A cable car will take you quickly up to Monte with the option of returning by wicker basket!

Walking is traditionally the most common outdoor activity in Madeira. A number of walks follow levadas gently downhill and are one-way in nature. The paths are generally of good quality with some uneven sections and also tunnels. They are a joy to walk along with the constant stream of water bubbling on one side and on the other ever changing views of deep valleys and hillsides generally with the sea in the background. 

Madeira is, however, more than just levadas offering dramatic cliff top walks along zig zag paths above the bubbling sea below and more challenging treks in the central mountain ranges. There is also plenty of easy terrain suitable for even the least experienced walker. 

Some walks, especially those which follow the levadas, do require a head for heights. Many less confident walkers often choose to take a week’s guided walking before embarking on a second self guided week. If you only have a week, we can arrange a couple of guided walks to get you started.

Guided - Independent Holidays 

We believe using local guides is the best option for guided walking in Madeira. Our guides, who speak fluent English, believe in the New Experience philosophy that walking is to be enjoyed not endured. 

During a 7 night holiday there will be 4 (or 3 and 2 half days) guided walking days along levadas, with an option of additional days which can be booked in advance or arranged locally. Each day’s walking is between 6 to 11 miles and is easy to moderate, mostly on good paths following contours. However, there are vertiginous sections on some of the walks. A minibus, included in the price, will take you to the beginning of each walk and pick you up at the end, largely avoiding out and back walks.  These guided independent holidays are available all year round at all of our hotels. 

Guided - Group Holidays

For dates and details of group departures please ask. You may, of course, choose your own departure airport. We still use local guides, and we also send an escort for these holidays to Madeira. 

Self Guided

Available all the year around. Our Walking Booklet has contrasting island walks with a selection of routes of all grades using levadas, coastal paths and mountain trails. The choice is sufficient for two weeks of walking. Madeira has an excellent public transport system that allows you to undertake both circular and one way walks. The description of each walk will indicate if it has vertiginous sections.

Walk Grading 

Guided - Easy & Moderate

Self Guided - Easy, Moderate & Challenging

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

Madeira  

Included			Not Included
ü	7 night’s accommodation		û	Lunches & drinks with meals
ü	7 breakfasts		û	Travel Insurance (required)
ü	7 dinners (except Hotel Lusitania which is B&B only)
ü	Transfers between Funchal airport and first/last hotels
ü	Baggage transfers between hotels (1 bag per person @20kg)
ü	Route notes & walking map
Optional Extras
Ø	‘With flights’ includes typical flight prices between London Gatwick and Funchal (exact prices for your dates are available on request)

All prices valid for 2023

Prices are per person in GBP / UK £ and are based on a shared twin/double standard room.

Hotel Residencia Lusitania

Dates	With Flights	Without Flights	Extra Night	Single Supplement	Guided Walking Supplement
01 Nov – 19 Dec	639	444	35	19	192
20 Dec – 03 Jan	735	540	53	19	192
04 Jan – 26 Apr	639	444	35	19	192
27 Apr – 18 May	687	492	44	19	192
19 May – 31 Oct	639	444	35	19	192

Supplements may apply for Easter, Christmas and New Year POA

Hotel Orquidea***

Dates	With Flights	Without Flights	Extra Night	Single Supplement	Guided Walking Supplement
01 Nov - 23 Dec	830	635	56	20	192
02 Dec – 05 Jan*	1172	977	107	20	192
06 Jan – 28 Mar	830	635	56	20	192
29 Mar – 30 Apr	872	677	62	20	192
01 May - 31 Oct	890	695	59	20	192

*Gala Dinner extra POA

Hotel Quinta Da Penha De Franca****

Dates	With Flights	Without Flights	Extra Night	Single Supplement	Guided Walking Supplement
01 Nov – 19 Dec	974	779	77	50	192
20 Dec – 29 Dec	1082	887	94	46	192
30 Dec – 27 Jan*	974	779	77	50	192
28 Jan – 10 Apr	1022	827	84	48	192
11 Apr – 30 Apr	1082	887	94	46	192
01 May – 31 Oct	1022	827	84	48	192

Supplements may apply for Easter, Christmas and New Year POA

Room Supplement (per person per night):

Terrace or Sea View £18 Superior balcony side sea view £22

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

This map is for illustration purposes only and we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy.

Hotel Lusitania residencial - 3 Star

Hotel Orquidea - 3 Star

Hotel Quinta da Penha de Franca - 4 Star

Availability Information

Madeira has a pleasant climate well suited to year round walking summer temperatures averaging 22°C (70°F). Winter temperatures average 16°C (60°F) making it a particular attraction for those wishing to seek respite from cold or dismal days at home. The south the location of the majority of our walks rarely sees rain in the summer and usually has only moderate rainfall in other seasons. The north side which is more exposed to the prevailing wind has more rain.

Please note our best to go information is generally referring to the walking which may fall in the early or late season in some places. This may mean that not all tourist facilities will be open at the time you visit. 

When to book your walking holiday in Portugal - Madeira - Walk the Garden Island of Madeira

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