Explore Madeira's diverse landscapes on this self-guided walking tour from Machico to Funchal. Traverse the rugged São Lourenço Peninsula, hike through laurel and cloud forests to Portela Pass with views of Eagle Rock, and follow levadas past waterfalls in Queimadas Nature Park. Descend the historic King's Trail from Pico Alto to Monte, then visit the Botanical Garden and Palheiro Gardens. Daily walks of 8-14 km require sure-footedness and basic fitness for hikes up to 4.5 hours.
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Discover the island of flowers, Madeira, and its stunning variety of landscapes, colors, and sights throughout the year. From the rugged eastern peninsula to the lush cloud forests of the highlands, nature reveals itself in every form. Blooming gardens, sweeping ocean views, levada walks, and quiet trails through verdant forests accompany you on your journey. Hike from the seaside town of Machico to the island’s easternmost point, continue to the village of Porto da Cruz along dramatic cliffs, and explore the traditional thatched houses of Santana. Following the King’s Trail, you’ll arrive in Funchal and marvel at the botanical paradise of the Palheiro Gardens. In the island’s villages, savor regional specialties – from fresh fish to the signature Poncha. This tour blends memorable hiking adventures with rich insights into Madeira’s culture, cuisine, and way of life.
Madeira reveals its full diversity during your week of hiking: you begin on the windswept São Lourenço Peninsula, explore rugged coastal paths, and enjoy expansive views of the Atlantic. Through dense laurel and cloud forests, you continue into the island’s green heart, passing waterfalls, ferns, and blooming fields, and visit the picturesque villages of Porto da Cruz and Santana with their traditional thatched houses. Highlights include panoramic stages along the historic King’s Trail up to Pico Alto and levada walks around Funchal, complemented by visits to the Palheiro Gardens. Throughout the journey, intense natural experiences alternate with cultural insights, regional specialties, and relaxing moments in lively towns – a varied and unforgettable hiking holiday.
Year-round floral beauty: Madeira’s colorful flora enchants hikers in every season, turning the journey into a botanical experience.
King’s Trail over Pico Alto: Historic path with spectacular viewpoints and panoramic views of the coast and surrounding mountains.
Pilgrimage site Monte: Traditional village with cultural charm and its famous church – offering a glimpse into Madeira’s history.
Exotic gardens & elegant tea houses: Diverse botanical gardens invite discovery, combined with culinary delights and a relaxed atmosphere.
Golden sand beach in Machico: Palms, sun, and soft sand – perfect for swimming or cooling your feet in the sea.
Green wilderness in Queimadas: Levada walks through lush vegetation, past waterfalls, and through fairytale-like forest landscapes.
The daily hikes are moderate pleasure stages of 3 to around 5 hours on well-maintained paths, levadas, and forest trails. Solid basic fitness and surefootedness are recommended – the routes traverse varied terrain with mild elevation changes. The tour combines active movement with botanical discoveries, Mediterranean flair, and island culture. Transfers or cable car sections are available for several stages, making the tour ideal for hikers seeking a relaxed and enjoyable experience.
Find all essential information about Walking holidays in Madeira here – from helpful tips to exciting highlights!
Itinerary at a glance
From the rugged São Lourenço Peninsula, across the Portela Pass to the Eagle Rock, through the jungle-like cloud forest, and along the King’s Trail to Pico Alto – picture-perfect nature hikes at every turn.
Upon arrival in Machico, you’ll be welcomed by Madeira’s gentle Atlantic breeze. The golden sandy beach beckons for a first leisurely stroll – a perfect, relaxed start to your walking adventure on Madeira.
By bus, you’ll reach the easternmost tip of Madeira, where your walk on the São Lourenço Peninsula begins. Rugged cliffs, deep blue bays, and dark rock spires shape the narrow paths across this barren stretch of land. With a bit of luck, you may even spot Porto Santo on the horizon. A stunningly wild nature experience before returning by bus to Machico.
After the morning transfer, your walk begins with a gentle ascent through dense laurel forest into the green heart of Madeira. Shaded paths meander through the enchanting cloud forest up to Portela Pass, offering views of the dramatic Eagle Rock along the way. You then stroll down through blooming fields to Porto da Cruz, where a refreshing dip in the seawater pool awaits, before a short transfer brings you to Santana.
A short transfer takes you to the so-called "Green Bowl", where an impressive hiking backdrop awaits you. Jungle-like vegetation with ferns, small waterfalls and a spectacular course with short tunnels characterise this levada hike. In the Queimadas Nature Park, a charming café invites you to take a break before you descend through sparse eucalyptus forest and flowering fields back to lively Santana. In Santana, it is worth taking a stroll to the typical thatched houses and the theme park.
From the visitor center in the nature park, you ascend to Pico Alto and enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Madeira’s mountains. The historic King’s Trail then leads down to the pilgrimage site of Monte. From there, you glide by cable car to the Botanical Garden. After exploring the vibrant, colorful gardens, you continue your walk into the lively island capital, with its charming old town.
Take the cable car back up to Monte and enjoy the breathtaking view over Funchal. Follow the Levada dos Tornos through a lush green oasis, passing charming tea houses perfect for a short break. Your journey culminates at the expansive Palheiro Gardens, renowned for their remarkable plant collection. After exploring the gardens, return to Funchal and unwind as your week of leisurely walks comes to a relaxing close.
From the rugged São Lourenço Peninsula, across the Portela Pass to the Eagle Rock, through the jungle-like cloud forest, and along the King’s Trail to Pico Alto – picture-perfect nature hikes at every turn.
Upon arrival in Machico, you’ll be welcomed by Madeira’s gentle Atlantic breeze. The golden sandy beach beckons for a first leisurely stroll – a perfect, relaxed start to your walking adventure on Madeira.
By bus, you’ll reach the easternmost tip of Madeira, where your walk on the São Lourenço Peninsula begins. Rugged cliffs, deep blue bays, and dark rock spires shape the narrow paths across this barren stretch of land. With a bit of luck, you may even spot Porto Santo on the horizon. A stunningly wild nature experience before returning by bus to Machico.
After the morning transfer, your walk begins with a gentle ascent through dense laurel forest into the green heart of Madeira. Shaded paths meander through the enchanting cloud forest up to Portela Pass, offering views of the dramatic Eagle Rock along the way. You then stroll down through blooming fields to Porto da Cruz, where a refreshing dip in the seawater pool awaits, before a short transfer brings you to Santana.
A short transfer takes you to the so-called "Green Bowl", where an impressive hiking backdrop awaits you. Jungle-like vegetation with ferns, small waterfalls and a spectacular course with short tunnels characterise this levada hike. In the Queimadas Nature Park, a charming café invites you to take a break before you descend through sparse eucalyptus forest and flowering fields back to lively Santana. In Santana, it is worth taking a stroll to the typical thatched houses and the theme park.
From the visitor center in the nature park, you ascend to Pico Alto and enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Madeira’s mountains. The historic King’s Trail then leads down to the pilgrimage site of Monte. From there, you glide by cable car to the Botanical Garden. After exploring the vibrant, colorful gardens, you continue your walk into the lively island capital, with its charming old town.
Take the cable car back up to Monte and enjoy the breathtaking view over Funchal. Follow the Levada dos Tornos through a lush green oasis, passing charming tea houses perfect for a short break. Your journey culminates at the expansive Palheiro Gardens, renowned for their remarkable plant collection. After exploring the gardens, return to Funchal and unwind as your week of leisurely walks comes to a relaxing close.
The daily routes take you along excellent trails, levadas, forest paths, and occasionally narrow tracks. Sure-footedness and a basic level of fitness are recommended for hikes of up to 4.5 hours. Even on the relatively short stages, you’ll encounter some ascents and descents.
Difficulty level
Moderate Walking
The daily routes take you along excellent trails, levadas, forest paths, and occasionally narrow tracks. Sure footedness and a basic level of fitness are recommended for hikes of up to 4.5 hours. Even on the relatively short stages, you’ll encounter some ascents and descents.
Prices & Dates
Prices per person in EUR
Services & Information
Further details about this tour
Included
Accommodation in 3***- and 4****hotels
Breakfast
Luggage transfer
Transfers according to program
1 descent Jardim Botanico cable car
1 ascent by the Monte cable car
Entrance fees for Levada hiking trails
Welcome briefing
Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
Servicehotline
Optional
Printed route book, per room EUR 20
Transfers: Madeira Airport – Machico EUR 59 per ride (1–4 people) or Transfer Funchal – Madeira Airport EUR 75 per ride (1–4 people). Reservation required, payable in advance
Arrival / Departure
Madeira airport and by taxi to Machico, costs approx. EUR 15 per ride, duration approx. 5-10 minutes
Departure by taxi from Funchal to Madeira airport, costs approx. EUR 35 per ride, duration approx. 30 minutes
Departure by Aerobus or public buses from Funchal to Madeira airport, costs approx. EUR 7 per person, duration approx. 1 hour (www.siga.madeira.gov.pt)
Things to note
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
Entrance fee to Palheiro Gardens, approx. EUR 11
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Services & Information
Further details about this tour
Included
Accommodation in 4****-hotels, 2x in 3***-hotel (Machico)
Breakfast
Luggage transfer
Transfers Machico – Marocos, Porto da Cruz – Santana, Santana – Pico das Pedras and Santana – Parque Ecológico do Funchal
1 cable car descent Jardim Botanico
1 cable car ascent Monte
Entrance fees Levada hikes
Welcome briefing
Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
Service hotline
Optional
Printed route book, per person EUR 20
Transfers: Madeira airport – Machico, costs EUR 59 per ride (up to 4 persons); Funchal – Madeira airport, costs EUR 75 per ride (up tp 4 persons); reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance
Arrival / Departure
Madeira airport and by taxi to Machico, costs approx. EUR 15 per ride, duration approx. 5-10 minutes
Departure by taxi from Funchal to Madeira airport, costs approx. EUR 35 per ride, duration approx. 30 minutes
Departure by Aerobus or public buses from Funchal to Madeira airport, costs approx. EUR 7 per person, duration approx. 1 hour (www.siga.madeira.gov.pt)
Things to note
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
Entrance fee to Palheiro Gardens, approx. EUR 11
Bus rides Machico – Baia d'Abral, Baia d'Abral – Machico, cable car station Jardim Botânico – Funchal and Palheiro Gardens – Funchal, costs approx. EUR 10 per person
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Even though hiking vacations (and cycling vacations with Eurobike) are among the most climate-friendly forms of travel, they still generate CO₂ emissions. These are carefully measured using the “Carmacal” calculator. Through our commitment to selected climate protection projects, we aim to give something back to the environment.
124 kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
CO₂ distribution:
Accommodation (57%)
Meals (23%)
Transport (12%)
Activities (8%)
100%
124 kg
CO₂-Emissions are offset
CO₂ distribution:
Accommodation (57%)
Meals (23%)
Transport (12%)
Activities (8%)
100%
Active vacations are among the most environmentally friendly and healthiest ways to travel. Traveling on foot means moving in a climate-conscious way while conserving resources.
Our carefully selected accommodations, like us, are committed to lived sustainability. They are deeply rooted in their regions, work with local suppliers, provide attractive employment opportunities for local residents, and thereby strengthen local value creation.
With the Eurohike On Tour app, we offer a digital version of our travel documents, allowing you to navigate confidently while on the road. By moving to digital formats, we help conserve valuable natural resources.
Eurohike has been certified as a sustainable tour operator with the internationally recognized Travelife certification. To achieve this, more than 261 requirements were carefully met.