Overview

Explore the best of the island’s famous levada trails on our seven-night Madeira Guided Walking Holiday.

Madeira is famous for its levadas – an ingenious system of irrigation channels which transport fresh water from the high mountains, down to the towns and villages on the coast. Constructed by the first settlers on the island in the 15th century, the original levadas were quite rudimentary – as techniques and technology evolved, more sophisticated hard-wearing channels were constructed from the basalt bedrock.

A happy by-product of these hard-fought feats of engineering are the levada walking trails, which allow 21st century visitors to explore some of the most beautiful and remote areas on the island. We’ve included a nice range of trails which will allow you to explore the whole island – from the gently scenic Levada dos Marocos in the south to the more challenging Caldeirao Verde trail in the north.

You’ll be based in Funchal, giving you access to the island’s best restaurants in the evenings – we’ve recommended a stay at one of our favourite hotels in the capital: Quintinha Sao Joao. As always, we can personalise your holiday if you’d prefer not to walk every day, or if you’d like to stay for more than a week.

Itinerary

You’ll begin your holiday with a direct flight to Madeira. Our driver will collect you on arrival for your transfer to the Quintinha Sao Joao in Funchal.

For your first walk, you’ll head east to explore the Levada dos Marocos above the town of Machico - the first settlement on Madeira.
Distance: 6km
Walking time: 3 hours
Grading: easy
You'll have a free day to explore Funchal, the capital of Madeira, on foot.
You'll follow the Verada trail across the barren Sao Lourenco pensinsula: the far eastern tip of the island.
Distance: 8km
Walking time: 5 hours
Grading: moderate
Today's walk will take you across one of Madeira's highest peaks - the majestic Pico do Areeiro.
Distance: 9km
Walking time: 4 hours
Grading: moderate
You'll head north to the Queimadas Forest Park, following the Caldeirao Verde levada.
Distance: 13km
Walking time: 7 hours
Grading: moderate to difficult
For your final day, you’ll walk the island’s most famous trail - the Levada do Risco - to the beautiful 25 Fontes lagoon.
Distance: 12.5km
Walking time: 5 hours
Grading: moderate
You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

From £1500 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: direct return flights from the UK, accommodation in a twin/double en-suite room on a B&B basis, airport transfers, a half-day guided walk and four full-day guided walks, with return transfers and picnic lunches on full days.

Accommodation

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