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Highlights
Explore stunning Madeira Island while on circular walking tour
Experience breathtaking coastal views of the North coast of Madeira, with its old supply route and spectacular terraces overlooking Porto da Cruz.
Immerse yourself in the UNESCO World Heritage laurel trees that line the hiking trails, showcasing the island's diverse and vibrant flora.
Discover the natural swimming pools formed by lava stones in Funchal and Porto Moniz, offering a unique and refreshing swimming experience with tropical biodiversity.
Spend time in the lively capital of Funchal, with its notable sights such as the Sé Cathedral and market hall, adding cultural and historical charm to your Madeira hiking adventure.
Cloud forests, dark lava rocks and sunlit banana plantations. Sounds like an exotic holiday destination but it’s actually the island of Madeira, not far from Lisbon in the Atlantic. Madeira offers a colourful variety for botanists, hikers and pleasure seekers.
Over eight days you will explore from Porto da Cruz to the capital Funchal. You will walk through the plateau of Paul da Serra, looking for shade in the laurel forests and take a relaxing bath in the black lava rock.
Hiking in Maderia calls for packing multipurpose clothing. In the north, surrounded by barren mountains and wet plateaus, it is cool. The sunny south impresses with flowers, eucalyptus trees and diverse cultures. The island with its 235.000 inhabitants leaves plenty of room for romantic and idyllic hikes. One of the most beautiful villages in Madeira is Prazeres. Here you can experience the original life of the islanders. Fancy something extraordinary for the grand finale? Grab a toboggan and start the fast ride down. It starts above the Funchal in Monte.
Cloud forests, dark lava rocks and sunlit banana plantations. Sounds like an exotic holiday destination but it’s actually the island of Madeira, not far from Lisbon in the Atlantic. Madeira offers a colourful variety for botanists, hikers and pleasure seekers.
Over eight days you will explore from Porto da Cruz to the capital Funchal. You will walk through the plateau of Paul da Serra, looking for shade in the laurel forests and take a relaxing bath in the black lava rock.
Hiking in Maderia calls for packing multipurpose clothing. In the north, surrounded by barren mountains and wet plateaus, it is cool. The sunny south impresses with flowers, eucalyptus trees and diverse cultures. The island with its 235.000 inhabitants leaves plenty of room for romantic and idyllic hikes. One of the most beautiful villages in Madeira is Prazeres. Here you can experience the original life of the islanders. Fancy something extraordinary for the grand finale? Grab a toboggan and start the fast ride down. It starts above the Funchal in Monte.
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Madeira Circular Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Porto da Cruz
Today you can relax on the black sandy beach in the small fishing village Porto da Cruz. You can visit one of the last remaining sugar mills where you can try the well-known “Poncha”, which is a local drink made from sugar cane liquor, honey and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porto da Cruz
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Circular walk along the wild north coast
After a short transfer to Machico, you will walk along the impressive north coast on one of the old supply routes, which was previously used to cultivate the vineyards. Today one of the nicest footpaths runs along this route to Porto da Cruz. Enjoy the breath-taking views.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porto da Cruz
Distance: 4-5 hours, 15km, 550m of ascent, 550m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Porto da Cruz – Sao Vicente, the quiet North Coast
In the traditional town, Santana, which is well-known for its typical houses, you will start today’s stage. Accompanied by amazing panoramic views you ascend from the wild coastline, further upwards past small gardens with wine, sugar canes, vegetables and fruit, until you reach a spectacular viewpoint. From there you can see across the entire northern shore stretching from Porto Moniz to Ponta de Sao Lourenco. If the weather is great then you will also be able to see the neighboring island Porto Santo, which is located north of Madeira. The stunning Kings Levada then leads you through jungle-like vegetation to the waterfall and springs of Ribeiro Bonito.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sao Vicente
Distance: 4-5 hours, 15km, 650m of ascent, 150m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Sao Vicente – Porto Moniz, high plateau and cloud forest
Transfer to the mountains or more specifically to the Paul da Serra high plateau. Today’s walk brings you closer to Madeira’s green mountains. You will walk along high-altitude paths rich in spectacular views, through shady laurel forests, which are partially an UNESCO world natural heritage site. An amazing hiking trail takes you through colorful blooming broom bushes to Fanal, a fairytale-like wood forest and pasture area: crooked trees, green meadows and grazing highland cattle create a very special mystical atmosphere. In the afternoon you reach the coastal village of Porto Moniz with its wonderful views at the blue sea. This charming place is well-known for its natural swimming pools, which were formed by the ocean from black lava rock.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Porto Moniz
Distance: 3-4hours, 11km, 150m of ascent, 350m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Porto Moniz – Calheta, Levada Nova
Today you will walk along the south west coastline via green hills, which steeply drop into the sea after a while. In this part of the island you will discover the original way of life of its habitants, especially Prazeres is known as one of the loveliest villages of Madeira island. On your walk through fragrant eucalyptus forests, you will keep seeing Callas, Amarryllis and Agapanthus growing wildly. You will stay overnight in the lively coastal village, Calheta. It has a fine sandy beach and an elegant marina.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Calheta
Distance: 4-5 hours, 17km, 50m of ascent, 650m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 Calheta – Funchal, Levada do Norte
Short transfer along the southern coast before you set off up to Levada do Norte where you get amazing views from. It is also the longest and widest Levada in the south. You will walk through typical farmed terraces and discover a vast variety of fruits. Along small villages like Quinta Grande and Campanario to the Cabo Girao, which is the highest steep cliff in Europe. From there you will get a fantastic view of the terraced fields below you and of the coastline until the capital, Funchal.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Funchal
Distance: 5 hours, 15km, 250m of ascent, 150m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Circular walk Monte & botanic gardens
You reach the pilgimage site Monte by cable car, situated high above Funchal. After a visit to the church Nossa Senhora do Monte you can marvel at the dynamic wicker basket sledgers before embarking on your final stage. With a marvellous view onto the coast from Funchal the route leads you once again across subtropical island vegetation and back into the capital. We highly recommend you visit the amazing botanical garden giving you an understanding of the exotic flora of the island on an area of 35.000 square metres.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Funchal
Distance: 3 hours, 8km, 100m of ascent, 550m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure or extra days
Depart Funchal today!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures: The departures are available every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from April 26th to October 4th, 2025.
- Single room: from EUR1368*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR939*
Accommodation on Madeira Circular Hiking Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Madeira Circular Hiking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included. You can also upgrade to half board for an extra charge.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included, as well as transfers according to program, such as transfers to the trailhead, and 1 uphill cable car journey to Monte/Funchal.
Also Included
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- Service hotline
Not included
- Flights to and from Madeira
- Airport transfers
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist tax (paid locally)
- Bus ride from Cabo Girao to Funchal
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Upgrade to half board (add dinners)
- How hard is the Madeira Circular Hiking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the Madeira Circular Hiking Tour?
- Are meals included on the Madeira Circular Hiking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Porto da Cruz to start this tour?
- Is the Madeira Circular Hiking Tour in English?
- Where does the Madeira Circular Hiking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Portugal?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Portugal?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. Daily routes along well-built and very diverse paths, which can however sometimes be on narrow paths. Lots of paths run along the coastline and along Levadas (irrigation canals), where a head for heights and sure-footedness are essential in some sections. You will need a good level of fitness for this waking holiday where the walks may take max. 5 hours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included. You can also upgrade to half board for an extra charge.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your travel insurance.
Funchal airport. By bus it takes about 30 minutes to get to Porto da Cruz or you can take a short taxi ride costing about EUR 30 per journey.
Yes, the tour description is in English.
The Madeira Circular Hiking Tour ends in Funchal. The return journey to Funchal airport from Funchal takes about 1 hour. The taxi costs about EUR 30 and takes about 30 minutes.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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