Machico to Santana

Overview

1. Day

   1
   Arrival Day

   1. transfer
   2. MachicoMachico

   Disembark from the airport via taxi transfer to your accommodation in Machico for

2. Day

   2
   Levada dos Maroços & Caniçal to Machico

   9.3 mi · 15 km

   1. transfer
   2. Levada dos Maroços & Caniçal to Machico
   3. MachicoMachico

   Your day begins with a short transfer from Machico to the trailhead at Maroços, where your route follows Madeira’s famous levadas. There are over 1400km of these narrow water channels across the island and walking across them is one of the most unique experiences you can have exploring the island on foot. Today you will follow your first levada back to Machico, where on the way you’ll catch sight of the stunning panorama over the bay and Machico. Your route ends at your overnight stay in Machico.

3. Day

   3
   Ponta de São Lourenço Circular Walk

   4.4 mi · 7.1 km

   1. transfer
   2. Ponta de São Lourenço Circular Walk
   3. MachicoMachico

   Today your route takes you on a circular walk around the São Lourenço Peninsula, made up of green, rolling stretches of hillside, edged by a rugged Atlantic coast. This protected Partial Natural Reserve is volcanic in origin (made mainly of basalt) and is said to be the driest point on the island. A transfer will be arranged for the morning, returning by public bus (own arrangement/cost) in the afternoon unless you have arranged for a taxi transfer instead.

4. Day

   4
   Machico - Porto da Cruz - Santana

   9.3 mi · 15 km

   1. transfer
   2. Machico - Porto da Cruz - Santana
   3. transfer
   4. SantanaSantana

   In the morning an arranged taxi transfer will take you to the start of your route, between Machico and Caniçal. You begin by following the Levada do Caniçal, mainly flat underfoot. From here the route develops into a more challenging section, following dirt tracks out toward the ocean before joining a scenic stretch of footpath along the coast. Where the route inclines you’ll find a challenging walk ahead, though the spectacular views you’ll discover over the coast are more than worth the effort. The Boca do Risco vista point is a great spot to stop and recharge with a picnic, before continuing along the Vereda de Larano, a beautiful path cut into the cliffs, eventually reaching Porto da Cruz. A taxi will pick-you up there and take you to your next accommodation in Santana.

5. Day

   5
   Levada do Furado

   10 mi · 16.1 km

   1. transfer
   2. Levada do Furado
   3. transfer
   4. SantanaSantana

   Taxi transfer in the morning to Ribeiro Frio, where the Levada do Furado walk begins. Your route immediately takes you onto a picturesque fairy-tale woodland walk though Madeira’s laurissilva forest, a UNESCO heritage site. The route is mainly flat following the levada but gains altitude gradually (the path is later safeguarded by a handrail), allowing for majestic views over the coastline and the laurissilva forest covering Madeira’s canyons and hills. From Portela, you can either take a taxi (not included) or continue the route via a cobbled (at times, slippery) path to Porto da Cruz. Here again, a taxi will take you to Santana at the end of your route

6. Day

   6
   Caldeirão Verde

   8.1 mi · 13 km

   1. transfer
   2. Caldeirão Verde
   3. transfer
   4. SantanaSantana

   A taxi will drop you at the Parque Florestal das Queimadas, the starting point for today’s route. Following a visit to a cosy bar inside a typical Madeiran house, the route picks up at the Levada do Caldeirão Verde to reach a waterfall, before retracing your steps to make the detour to the village of Ilha, where a taxi will pick you up in the afternoon. Remember to bring a torch and water-proofs on this walk as you make your way through dense, forested terrain. Though you will be walking along cliffs, the path is protected by handrails.

7. Day

   7
   Santana - Arco de São Jorge: the Caminho Real

   8.1 mi · 13 km

   1. Santana - Arco de São Jorge: the Caminho Real
   2. transfer
   3. SantanaSantana

   The last section of the holiday takes you through part of the Caminho Real which, with a total distance of 182 km, completely encircles the island of Madeira, linking the island’s major harbours and villages. Starting in Santana, your walk today leads you through a series of ruins and scenic landscapes through to the traditional village of Arco de São Jorge. From here, a taxi will take you back to your hotel in Santana.

8. Day

   8
   Day 8

   1. transfer

   Return transfer to Funchal Airport after breakfast for your flight back home.