Depending on the arrival day, there is a fixed order of full-day or half-day hikes. For stays longer than a week, our local agency will try to plan the hikes so that they do not take place on consecutive days.
For arrivals on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, you will participate in 4 full-day and 2 half-day hikes. The two half-day hikes are on the same day (in the morning and in the afternoon, you do not need to return to the hotel in between).
For arrivals on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, you will participate in 5 full-day hikes.
For the full-day hike on Friday, you can choose between the two listed hikes and inform your tour guide of your choice after arrival.
Please note that the hikes sometimes include up to 4.5 hours of pure walking time with ascents of up to 600 meters. Corresponding fitness, sure-footedness, and a head for heights are required. You do not need special equipment, but good hiking boots, sun or rain protection, sufficient provisions, and a flashlight.
Changes to the execution days and hikes are subject to change!
Detailed descriptions of the individual hikes can be found below:
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Arrival Monday
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
Wednesday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Thursday – Morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + Afternoon: Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – Day at leisure
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Arrival Tuesday
Wednesday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Thursday – Morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + Afternoon: Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – Day at leisure
Monday – Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
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Arrival Wednesday
Thursday – Day at leisure
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday – Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
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Arrival Thursday
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday – Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
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Arrival Friday
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday – Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
Thursday – Morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + Afternoon: Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
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Arrival Saturday
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday – Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
Thursday – Morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + Afternoon: Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) (Hike 8)
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Arrival Sunday
Monday – Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
Wednesday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Thursday – Day at leisure
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
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DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL HIKES:
Hike 1: Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Monday)
Through the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site into the green cauldron. One of the most spectacular levada hikes on the island of Madeira. Impressive gorges and a waterfall characterize this hike. A visit to Queimadas Nature Park is included
Difficulty: easy/medium, Duration: approx. 5 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 12 km, Type: Levada hike
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Hike 2: Levada + Poncha-(Thursday) Halfday
Thursday – Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6 PM)
Gentle route through the eastern part of the island along a levada. Along the entire
route, you will enjoy panoramic views that highlight the volcanic origin of the island.
At the end of the route, you will taste the famous Poncha, a drink made from white rum,
fresh orange juice, and honey.
Distance: 4.5 km/Duration: 2 hours/Difficulty: easy
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Hike 3: RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Wednesday/Sunday)
This hike leads through the impressive laurel forest along an old levada to the two highlights of Rabaçal: the 25 Springs and the Risco Waterfall.
Duration: approx. 3.25 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 9 km, Type: Levada hike, Difficulty: easy
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Hike 4: Levada da Serra do Faial (Thursday).
Another pleasant hike along a beautiful levada near Funchal with views of the sea, mountains, and Funchal city. The hike starts at "Caminho do Pico do Infante" and ends in "Rochao". Duration: approx. 2.5 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 8 km, Type: Levada hike, Difficulty: easy
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Hike 5: Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Friday).
Levada hike through pristine nature with magnificent views over narrow gorges and valleys with "Penha D' Aguia" in the background. Duration: approx. 4 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 10 km, Type: Levada hike, Difficulty: easy-moderate
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Hike 6: Prazeres/P. Pargo (Saturday).
In Prazeres, we begin this magnificent hike between sea and mountain landscapes over endlessly winding paths through valleys and over hills with great views of the fishing village "Paúl do Mar". We continue along "Raposeira", "Faja da Ovelha" to the westernmost cape "Ponta do Pargo". Duration: approx. 4.5 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 12 km, Type: Levada hike, Difficulty: easy
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Hike 7: Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7).
This challenging hike leads to 3 mountains over 1,700 m high (Pico do Ceidro, Curral Martinho, and Pico do Arierio. There are numerous breathtaking panoramas to admire. Difficulty: difficult, Duration: approx. 4.5 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 12.5 km, Altitude difference: ↑ 440 m/↓ 930 m.
For this hike, it is particularly important to note that fog, rain, and wind can occur, and good fitness/hiking experience is required.
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Hike 8: Ponta de São Lourenco (Eastern tip) – (Friday)
The hike over Ponta de São Lourenco is one of the classic hiking tours on Madeira. Washed by the blue Atlantic, it leads at times over rocky terrain, through sparse vegetation, but always accompanied by a magnificent play of colors of bizarre rock formations. In clear weather, the view extends to the island of Porto Santo in the north, and in the south, over Canical, the old whaling town, to Santa Cruz and the Desertas Islands.
Duration: approx. 3.5 hours (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 11 km, Difficulty: moderate/difficult Altitude difference: ↑ 200 m/↓ 200 m.
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