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Madeira's Calheta Coast with a View of Funchal

Around Madeira

Unique coastal hikes and blooming gardens

8 Days / 7 Nights
Walking
Madeira's Calheta Coast with a View of Funchal

Cloud forests, dark lava rocks and sunlit banana plantations. Sounds like a different holiday destination? No! The island of Madeira, not far from Lisbon in the Atlantic, 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.

  • Breathtaking coastal views: The impressive north coast over the Boca do Risco saddle runs along an old supply route. Enjoy the view from the spectacular terraces to Porto da Cruz.
  • Exotic floral splendour: Shady laurel trees, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, line your route.  
  • Lava stone swimming pool: The most beautiful places to swim are in Funchal and Porto Moniz. Tip for snorkelers and divers: The Gulf Stream hosts a tropical biodiversity! So do not forget your goggles!
  • Lively capital of Funchal: The city has many sights. The Sé Cathedral and the market hall are definitely worth a visit.

The round trip in Maderia starts in the small fishing village of Porto da Cruz on the black sandy beach. Make sure you try a ‘poncha’, a drink made of honey, orange juice and sugar cane brandy. The daily routes run on varied hiking trails, which can sometimes be narrow. Surefootedness and a head for heights are required in some parts. You will walk for an average of five hours a day on this botanical paradise. You want to escape a cold winter? No problem? The Eurohike team has a solution: the mountain hiking tour in Madeira is bookable all year round! Do not hesitate and let us advise you on your own personal hiking experience!

Itinerary at a glance

Madeira is a sea of flowers - and more! The route over the Boca do Risco is particularly impressive, as are the lava rock swimming pools in Porto Moniz. In Funchal, sights and colourful capital hustle and bustle await you.

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.

Hotel (example): Costa Linda

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.

Hotel (example): Costa Linda

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.

Hotel (example): Calamar

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.

Hotel (example): Hotel Euro Moniz

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.

Hotel (example): Savoy Saccharum

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.

Hotel (example): Four Views Baía

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.

Hotel (example): Four Views Baía

Day
08
Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

Madeira is a sea of flowers - and more! The route over the Boca do Risco is particularly impressive, as are the lava rock swimming pools in Porto Moniz. In Funchal, sights and colourful capital hustle and bustle await you.

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.

Hotel (example): Costa Linda

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.

Hotel (example): Costa Linda

In the traditional village of Santana, known for its typical houses, your day's stage starts. Marvel at the traditional houses with their thatched roofs and stroll through the town, which is well worth seeing, before you continue to the start of the hike. The wonderful Levada do Rei leads you through primeval forest-like vegetation to the waterfall and the springs of Ribeiro Bonito. Through short tunnels you will reach an almost magical place at the head of the river valley. Finally, enjoy one of the famous drinks and cakes in the inviting bar Quinta do Levada.

Hotel (example): Calamar

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.

Hotel (example): Aqua Natura Bay

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.

Hotel (example): Savoy Saccharum

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.

Hotel (example): Four Views Baía

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.

Hotel (example): Four Views Baía

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Walking

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 also along Levadas (irrigation canals), where a head for heights and sure-footnedness 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.

Prices & Dates

Category: 4**** hotels, 2x lovely 2** hotel (Porto da Cruz)

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Bus ride from Cabo Girao to Funchal
  • 1 Uphill cable car journey to Monte/Funchal
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Half-board evening meal (mostly multi-course, sometimes outside the property, payable with voucher)

Arrival / Departure

  • 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.
  • The return journey to Funchal airport from Funchal takes about 1 hour. The taxi costs about EUR 30 and takes about 30 minutes.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Special dates on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Bus ride from Cabo Girao to Funchal
  • 1 Uphill cable car journey to Monte/Funchal
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Half-board evening meal (mostly multi-course, sometimes outside the property, payable with voucher)

Arrival / Departure

  • 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.
  • The return journey to Funchal airport from Funchal takes about 1 hour. The taxi costs about EUR 30 and takes about 30 minutes.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

From our Hiking Blog

Christina Hofer

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