I chose Madeira for this all-women hiking trip because it immediately felt special to me—the dramatic scenery, incredible hiking, local wine, and a beautiful 4-star hotel at the end of each day felt like the perfect balance of adventure and comfort.
Over eight days on the Flower Island, we’ll walk levadas through the Laurisilva forest, cross the ridge from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo, and explore wild plateaus and coastal paths with a local guide. We’ll stay in three hotels with pools, in Santo da Serra, in Porto Moniz beside the natural lava pools, and in Funchal. Along the way, we’ll visit a volcanic-soil vineyard for a tasting and a traditional Madeiran lunch, and swim in Porto Moniz and at São Lourenço.
We spend eight days on Madeira with six full days of walking, moving across the island as we go. The first three nights are in Santo da Serra, our base for the Caldeirão Verde levada and the Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo traverse. Then two nights in Porto Moniz, right beside the natural pools, with a vineyard visit, a traditional lunch, and the Paul da Serra plateau in between. The last two nights are in Funchal, where we walk the wild São Lourenço peninsula, swim, explore the city, and sit down to a farewell dinner. All hotels are 4-star with pools, and breakfasts, dinners, and trail picnics are included.
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
In order to join this hiking tour, good fitness is required as well as previous experience with full days on the trail. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 14 km (8.7 mi), with up to 500 m (1,640 ft) of elevation gain. Expect roughly 3 to 5 hours of walking on each of the six hiking days, on levada paths, forest trails, and one alpine ridge with tunnels and staircases between Pico Arieiro and Pico Ruivo.
You’ll only carry a day pack, since you’re based in hotels and everything else stays in your room. Some levada sections run along cliffsides with a safety wire, so if heights bother you on the Caldeirão Verde walk, you can turn back halfway.
Gear:
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Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing:
Min. age requirements:
This Madeira hiking trip is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
The starting point of your Madeira hiking tour is Madeira Airport (FNC), just outside Funchal. To get there, most people fly into Madeira Airport directly.
You will meet your guide at Madeira Airport on Day 1. It’s best if your flight lands between 10 am and 5 pm, and you’ll be asked to share your approximate landing time after booking.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
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