Depending on the arrival day, there is a fixed order of full-day or half-day hikes. For stays longer than one 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.
On 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 Lourenço (East Cape) (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 (East Cape) (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 (East Cape) (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 (East Cape) (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 (East Cape) (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 (East Cape) (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. Imposing gorges and a waterfall characterize this hike. A visit to the 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 island's volcanic origin.
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 in the vicinity of Funchal with views of the sea, mountains, and the city of Funchal. The hike starts at "Caminho do Pico do Infante and ends at "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 landscape over endless 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 Arieiro. 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 should be noted that fog, rain, and wind can occur and good fitness/hiking experience is required.
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Hike 8: Ponta de São Lourenco (East Cape) – (Friday)
The hike over Ponta de São Lourenco is one of the classic hiking tours on Madeira. Washed by the blue Atlantic, it leads partly 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, in the south over Canical, the old whaling village, 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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