Highlights of Madeira

Our walking holidays try to accommodate a wide range of hikers while preserving the overall quality. We try to keep the stages as undemanding as possible, but you have to understand that, on Madeira, some of the highlights are slightly secluded, and they require a certain amount of effort to reach. You should be used to walking for up to 6 hours on certain days while overcoming nearly 800 meters of elevation.

Nevertheless, most of the hikes return the same way, so you can always turn around sooner than planned if you feel you will not make it back comfortably. And the trails themselves are not technically demanding as you are walking upon well-beaten tracks along Levadas and Veredas. You must have a head for heights for some of these hikes, as some sections can be exposed. They are well-secured, but you should not underestimate them if you are at risk of vertigo.

Most of these hikes can be done with children if they are used to walking and heights. We wouldn’t advise them to be younger than ten years, but you should judge whether they are capable of hiking for multiple hours.

Proper footwear is crucial for our walking tours. We recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for all our hikes. Even though the paths are mostly beaten or even paved, such shoes come in handy when you are tired or it gets wet. Wearing sneakers can be dangerous, especially if you are not accustomed to hiking on such surfaces, as they do not offer enough protection and support. Robust shoes also provide the necessary support when your legs get tired during long hikes.

We strongly recommend booking in advance to secure your spot, as this will increase your chances of getting your preferred options. If you wait until the start or during the season, we may not be able to guarantee availability in the hotels and apartments. Therefore, it’s best to make your reservations as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience. Madeira is a popular tourist spot, after all, and the accommodations get booked fast.

Please note that during the hiking season, accommodations in the destinations of our walking tours are in high demand. Thus, it is essential to book early to secure your preferred type of housing. However, we want to assure you that we will always strive to provide you with the most suitable lodging based on your preferences. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to ensure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.

Our tours are well-planned, and all the destinations are easily reachable and straightforward to navigate. Therefore, it’s unlikely that you’ll need a guide. Our detailed handout will provide all the necessary information while allowing you the flexibility of a self-guided vacation.

However, if you would like to have a guide, please inform us, and we will make the appropriate arrangements for you.

Most of the accommodations offer vegan and vegetarian meal options, and we can arrange either for you after you let us know through our inquiry form. Similarly, you won’t face many issues finding restaurants with such options as Madeira offers a variety of different dining places.

While people tend to visit Madeira during summer, such a time is not the optimal choice for hiking and walking. The temperatures are high, and the sun is beating down on you tirelessly. If you are visiting in summer, you can rather visit the island’s magical beaches and soak in the refreshing Atlantic Ocean.

The best time for a walking holiday in Madeira is generally between April and May and between September and October, as the weather is mild and pleasant during these months. Spring (April-May) offers beautiful blooming flowers, while autumn (September-October) presents a vibrant display of foliage. However, Madeira boasts a mild subtropical climate year-round, making it a suitable destination for walking holidays even during winter, although you may encounter more rainfall and cooler temperatures. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences and desired walking conditions.

Hiking in light rain is manageable in Madeira, and you can adapt by taking one of the forest hikes on such days to get some protection from the rain. But if you are not feeling up to it, we advise you to stay safe and consider adjusting your plans accordingly. Some stages are dangerous for slippages, and those can end badly. You can always reach out to our team for guidance or assistance. If necessary, we can help you reorganize your schedule or suggest alternative activities or attractions that are better suited for the given weather conditions. Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities, so we will do our best to ensure you have a positive experience, even if the weather is less than ideal.

While Madeira has organized local transportation, it is not ideal for a walking holiday. You would either have to miss some of the most scenic walks or encounter all kinds of logistical nightmares. Therefore, we prepared one holiday, where we will arrange a car rental for you, making you responsible for reaching the starting points of all hikes by yourself. As such, you will have complete freedom to choose which hikes you will do on a given day.

The other holiday has organized transfers to take you to the starting points of your hikes and pick you up at the end when necessary. Therefore, you will have to follow the schedule of the transfers to do the planned walks.