Madeira: The Flower Island

Madeira is the ideal walking getaway. On this exceptional island you can experience incredibly scenic walking alongside levadas, and along coastal trails, constantly surrounded by an abundance of lush foliage and colourful blooms. It is a nature-lovers paradise and you’ll also love the relaxed friendliness and charm of the local people. Due to the nature of the terrain, we do not recommend this trip if you're a vertigo sufferer.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This walking tour is graded moderate. The distances range from 7km to 15km. On most days there are quite significant elevation gains and losses (anything up to 700m elevation gain and 900m elevation loss, but on most days it is not as significant as this - please see your route notes for specifics). There are alternate walking choices on some days. Please check your route notes for this information. It is essential that you try some walking with some ups and downs for a few weeks before your departure so you can make the most of this tour and feel comfortable while you are walking.

The walks are predominantly along levadas, but there are also stony paths, paths cut into cliffs and through forests and along cliff tops. Many of the paths have steep drops alongside, without any walls or barriers, and so this tour is not recommended for anyone who suffers from vertigo. Walking poles are highly recommended.

The accommodation on this walk is a combination of 3* and 4* hotels and small guesthouses. All offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and an authentic experience.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is not available to solo walkers due to the remoteness and nature of the terrain. Single rooms are available and a single supplement is payable.

Meals

7 Breakfasts are provided and dinners on Days 3, 4,and 5. On some days you will be able to buy supplies for a picnic at local shops, but on the days when this is not possible you can ask your accommodation to make one for you. Please request this on the previous evening (payable locally).  On the evenings when dinner is not included, you can eat in your hotel restaurant or at a local restaurant.

Some of the walks on this trip are way-marked but many are not and you will need to follow the route notes as supplied. 

Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

Please note that due to the nature of Madeira and its fragile terrain, it is not uncommon for the paths and therefore walks to change at late notice; this is due to rainfall, potential landslides and other weather conditions. If an alternate walk needs to be taken our local partners in Madeira will be in touch with you. It is therefore recommended that you keep a flexible attitude and are prepared to alter your plans.

Our walks usually begin and end at a central point in town (such as a church, bus stop, etc.). Access routes to your accommodation are not included in our km daily figures. However, the Macs app will guide you to your accommodation.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

• Madeira Tour & Trail Map by David Brawn

This tour is available to start any day of the week all year round (subject to availability). Whilst the weather is cooler in the winter months and there is a risk of rain, it is still warm enough to walk.

By Air: Madeira - Funchal Airport is the only international airport. You will be transferred to your first and last hotel to and from Funchal Airport. There are direct flights from the UK.

Other international flights connect to Madeira (Funchal) via Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, where it is possible to add an overnight stay as necessary; please contact our team if you would like to arrange this.

An included transfer will take you back to Funchal Airport for onward travel connections.

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.