Madeira Trail | Hike in Madeira, explore the beautiful island of flowers.

WALK ACROSS THE MAGNIFICENT ISLAND OF MADEIRA

Embark on an unforgettable adventure: our 5-day hike through the hidden treasures of Madeira. From majestic peaks to spectacular coastlines, discover the true essence of the island with every step.

Hiking in Madeira

Situated in a tropical archipelago, Madeira is a Portuguese island known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic" or the "Island of Flowers" due to its exceptional flora. With a subtropical climate and breathtaking landscapes, this destination offers a unique paradise-like experience.

This hiking tour takes you through the island, which is renowned for its diverse landscapes. You will discover lush green valleys, towering peaks, picturesque levadas (irrigation channels), and secluded beaches, all in one week.

The itinerary

As the name suggests, the Madeira Trail takes place in Madeira, a remote island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Portugal.

Our carefully crafted itinerary will take you across the island and explore its most beautiful highlights. It's a challenging hike that undoubtedly ranks high on the to-do list for any adventurous hiker. We will cross the island from west to east, from the sea to the most majestic summits, following the levadas (irrigation channels) and exploring the magnificent virgin forests, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fanal Forest!

You will spend five days hiking in the heart of this flower-filled island, where not only will you face a physical challenge, but you will also have the opportunity to witness some of the most breathtaking panoramas on the planet.

Weekly schedule

It's not easy to prepare a well-organized hike in Madeira on your own. Therefore, we have developed a program so that you can see the most iconic highlights in a one-week stay, including five full days of hiking. The program can be adapted according to weather conditions.

Fanal - Rabaçal

Day 1

17 km

Encumeada - Pico Ruivo

Day 3

12 km

Pico Ruivo - Porto da Cruz

Day 4

15.7 km

Porto da Cruz - Machico

Day 5

15 km

When?

Multiple departures for the hike are scheduled for spring 2025.

Arrival days:

In April:

15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 & 29

In May:

1, 3, 5, 6, 8 & 10

Please note that the hike begins the following day.For example, if you arrive on April 18, you will start hiking on April 19. The hotel option in Funchal will be for April 18.

What is the price?

The Early Bird price for this trip is €719 per person.

Detailed itinerary and complete organization of the trip
2 nights in comfortable hotels in unique locations*
1 night in a comfortable hostel on the coast**
1 night in a comfortable cottage in the middle of nature*
1 unique night in a refuge at Pico Ruivo** (the summit of Madeira)
Tourist taxes
Shuttle transportation to the start of the trek
Welcome and briefing by an experienced ranger
Complete equipment list to ensure you don't forget anything
Madeira Trail app with all the necessary information

*For solo travellers, you will be placed in a double room with another participant, with separate beds. We do our best to group people of the same gender. If you are travelling in an odd-numbered group, you will be allocated to different rooms.

**When staying in a hostel or refuge, you will be in a dormitory or a room shared with other participants. Rooms can accommodate 2, 4 or 7 people. Of course, we group members of the same group together.

Options

Hotel in Funchal for the first night*: €89 per person
Local food package** (5 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches & 5 dinners): €159 per person
Hiking poles: €12 per person
Travel insurance: €49 per person
Cancellation insurance: €69 per person, see our cancellation conditions

**You won't have the opportunity to buy food during the hike, which is why we offer this economic option. It includes breakfast, the lunch to go that you'll receive each morning, and dinner at the hotel restaurant. Additionally, it allows you to lighten your hiking backpack by not having to carry your food for the week.

Why join us on the Madeira Trail?

We are convinced that the Madeira Trail has tremendous potential to make this trip to this beautiful place an unforgettable experience.

Overnight stays in unique locations
A well-balanced itinerary
An affordable price
A comprehensive logistical organization

Shuttle

A shuttle will take you from Funchal to the starting point of the trail.

This shuttle departs at 8:30 AM, so please be on time at the meeting point if you're not booking your first night with us.

Self-guided

This trail is self-guided. That means you are completely free to explore the trail on your own. The advantage? You can hike with peace of mind because everything has been organized for you, from a beautiful hiking itinerary to unique sleeping accommodations. A ranger will be on-site to assist you if needed and provide you with all the necessary information.

On the first day of hiking, our ranger will give you a detailed briefing. You will find the itinerary and useful information in the Madeira Trail app, carefully prepared. After that, you will start the hike independently. The ranger will of course be available by phone to assist you if needed.

Superflex booking conditions

Currently, by registering, you benefit from free superflex booking conditions. This allows you to cancel or modify your trip for free, without having to provide a valid reason, until January 2, 2025. Don't wait too long, as this offer is limited.

FAQ's

We invite you to consult the FAQ below before sending us an email. The FAQ provides comprehensive answers to the most frequently asked questions!

Where are we sleeping?

You will sleep for 2 nights in a carefully chosen comfortable hotel in a double room, 1 night in a comfortable cottage, 1 night in a comfortable hostel on the coast, and 1 night in a refuge on Madeira's highest peak.(*)

It's not easy to find places to sleep in a tent in Madeira, as most pitches are very small. That's why we've opted for hotel & refuge accommodation. This way, you'll have plenty of opportunity to rest and recharge your batteries for the hike.

(*) Solo participants will sleep in the same room as another participant, in separate beds. We always do our best to put participants of the same sex in the same room.

What are we eating?

During the hike, you will rarely come across a refuge or restaurant. That's why we offer a food package option for convenience, allowing everyone to experience local cuisine.

This includes breakfast, a packed lunch for the day, and a delicious local meal at the hotel restaurant for the five days of hiking.

We still recommend bringing your own snacks for the hike to enjoy during breaks.

Here's an overview of the meals (subject to change):

- Breakfast: Bread, jam, cheese or ham, coffee (or tea), and juice. It may also be served as a buffet, depending on the location.

- Packed lunch: Ham/cheese, chicken, or roast beef sandwiches, accompanied by fruits, a small dessert, and juice.

- Dinner: Local fish or meat at the hotel restaurant, or buffet-style depending on the location.

We also offer a vegetarian option, but unfortunately not a vegan one.

How are the hikes organized?

The Madeira Trail is a self-guided hike. This means that you will be hiking completely independently. We make sure that you have everything you need for a successful hike. Everything is organized for you, so you don't have to worry about a thing.

All you have to do is hike and enjoy.

Weekly itinerary:

An experienced ranger will provide you with a comprehensive briefing on the first day of the hike. They will then send you a daily briefing via message.
You will then begin hiking independently on the accessible and well-balanced itinerary that we have mapped out for you.
In our app, you will find an overview of all the routes and important information for each day. This will allow you to hike completely autonomously.
Your hotel and refuge accommodations are reserved for you.
You will have prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without having to worry about cooking (if you have chosen the option).
In addition, our ranger is available to assist you if needed. You can contact them throughout the journey to ask questions.

What is included?

Detailed itinerary and complete organization of the trip
2 nights in comfortable hotels in unique locations
1 night in a comfortable cottage
1 night in a comfortable hostel on the coast
1 unique night in a refuge at Pico Ruivo (the summit of Madeira)
Tourist taxes
Shuttle transportation to the starting point of the trek
Welcome and briefing by an experienced ranger
Complete equipment list to ensure you don't forget anything
Madeira Trail app with all the necessary information

What should I bring?

Identity Card

Madeira is an island of Portugal, depending on where you come from, you'll need a passport, or only a valid identity card.

Hiking Gear

It is important to bring good hiking shoes in which you feel comfortable enough for a long trek. B/C type hiking shoes are essential for exploring the trails of Madeira.

We will also send you a more detailed list of what you need to bring before your departure.

What is the size of the group?

This is a self-guided hike, so you won't be walking in a group, but you can certainly walk with other participants if you wish. There is a maximum of 10 participants per departure date.

Give back to nature through Greentripper.

The planet offers us so many incredible things to admire, especially through our travels. But if we want to continue enjoying them for a long time, we must protect it at all costs. That's why we make extra efforts to reduce the impact of our trips, and you can also reliably contribute to a Greentripper climate project through the booking form, which offsets the CO2 emissions from your mode of transportation. By contributing to their certified "Wildlife Cambodia" project, you help protect the beautiful forests and the wildlife they harbor, support local communities, and reduce the CO2 emissions from your journey. If you decide to participate in the project, Travelbase will take on the additional responsibility of reducing your carbon footprint during the trip itself. Upon your return, you will also receive an official carbon credit certificate.

To learn more about the efforts and actions implemented by Travelbase, visit the page travelbase.fr/impact.

How many kilometers do I have to walk?

Throughout the week, you will cover a total distance of approximately 85 km, with stages ranging from 12 to 20 km per day. The days are well balanced to ensure a good distribution between the number of kilometers covered and the elevation gained.

Who is this hike intended for?

For all individuals aged 16 to 65, in good physical condition, and who have previously done multi-day hikes. The trek consists of long distances and significant elevation changes, so good health and physical fitness are necessary. We emphasize that this hike is not suitable for beginners.

Do you have doubts about your ability to do this trek?

The following questions will help you gain clarity:

- How many times have I been physically active in the past three months?

- What types of physical activities do I regularly engage in and for how long?

- Have I had recent injuries that could affect my ability to enjoy this adventure?

- Can I walk comfortably for 15 kilometers on hilly terrain and for multiple days with a backpack?

- Can I train over the next few months to prepare myself for this adventure?

If your answers give you full confidence to embark on this adventure, then this itinerary is definitely for you! One week after your reservation, you will receive a training program that will help you be fully prepared to trek the trail with peace of mind.

Is this hike suitable for people with fear of heights?

No, this hike is not recommended for people with a fear of heights. The trails in Madeira are often located in mountainous areas, with narrow paths and close proximity to cliffs. For safety and comfort reasons, it is better to avoid this hike if you have fear of heights.

Can I bring my dog with me?

Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we do not allow dogs on the hike. The Madeira Trail is a challenging hike with a lot of elevation gain and is not suitable for a dog.

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