Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
18.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Due to the popularity of this holiday some peak dates in 2025 are filling up quickly, particularly in April and May. Please do call for further advice and if possible do consider travelling outside of the peak times for better availability.
Surging from the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira offers a temperate sub-tropical paradise perfect for year-round walking. One of Madeira's many charms is its infinite variety; each day's walking and every levada - the island's unique network of water channels - is different. Landscapes vary from cultivated vine terraces and verdant slopes dotted with white hamlets to coastal cliffs with balcony views over the azure seas. Also a nature lover's paradise, there are over 120 endemic species of flora and fauna including the pride of Madeira, the bird-of-paradise, along with jacaranda, tiny bisbis birds, chaffinches and hawks - the list is endless.
On this Self Guided walking holiday in Madeira, hotel-to-hotel holiday, the island's coastal paths and levadas take you from the sleepy wine village of Santana on the north coast to bustling Funchal in the south. Fringed with a rainbow of colourful flora, the levadas lead you inland to breezy Santo da Serra; a transfer then takes you to the Levada do Norte for spectacular views from the cliff tops.
Our accommodation choices offer as many contrasts as the walks: in Santana your 4 star hotel enjoys stunning views of the Alantic ocean and is surrounded by its own vineyards; in Santo da Serra your hotel dates back to the 1920s and has been used as a family home and tea house over the years, and in Funchal, the 5 star Quinta da Bela Vista is a traditional family run hotel set within botanical gardens and offers typical Madeiran Quinta hospitality.
This holiday uses paths by the levadas which are, at times, narrow with drops to the side, some sections are without barriers. Cobbled paths are used to get up to the levadas which can often be slippery when wet.{NEWLINE} You need to be a confident, sure-footed walker and if you do struggle with vertigo, you may find this challenging. There are ascents and descents every day which make this a slightly more demanding holiday than the distances suggest. We would recommend walking poles and carrying a torch.
Read more about this holiday in Stumpy's Blog.
Arrive at your hotel in Santana where our local partner will brief you on the week's walking.
You stay at Quinta do Furao.
The Quinta do Furao enjoys a stunning location with views stretching over the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is surrounded by vineyards, vegetable plots and fruit orchards as well as beautifully manicured gardens complete with dragon trees and proteas. The verdant peaks of Picos do Ruivo and Arieiro stand majestically behind the Quinta to complete the picture. The indoor pool is enclosed by large large glass panels ensuring an excellent view overlooks the vineyards as you swim.
The restaurant is housed in a separate building and with a beautiful outside terrace has the same magnificent views across the ocean as the hotel. Perhaps take a visit to the hotels 'pub', a cozy space for relaxing with a drink either before or after dinner and don't forget to visit the hotels wine cellar with its own traditional wine press and where you can take the best of the Madeiran wine on offer.
There are 65 spacious rooms (all with twin beds), decorated with pine furniture and colourful furnishings.
Today you take the panoramic coastal path that leads you to the ancient cobbled route linking Santana to Sao Jorge. Agapanthus and cacti line the descent to the seaside 'resort' of Calhau. There are fabulous coastal vistas as you ascend to Sao Jorge, with the village's lighthouse glimmering above the azure waters. The mighty peak of Pico Ruivo frames the horizon as you return to Santana.
A transfer (10/25 mins) takes you up to the Parque das Queimadas - all the hard climbing is done for you! The walk follows the beautiful (and shady) Caldeirao Verde Levada (the Green Cauldron Levada) into the Vale da Lapa. The scenery is magnificent; the views of the sea, of hilltop villages, and of the lofty central peaks are unforgettable. You head up the valley through a series of impressive levada tunnels to the magnificent waterfall at Caldeirao Verde. Then it's back down the Lapa Valley to Ilha before taking the bus back to Santana.
Before departure, a picnic is provided by your hotel for today and a minibus will collect you at the hotel for a scenic 25/35 minute ride taking you to Ribeiro Frio where you start your walk. You join the Levada do Furado, a verdant paradise of laurel, heather and pine with waterfalls tumbling into the gushing river. Tiny firecrest and tame finches flit between the trees, which occasionally part to reveal stunning views of white hilltop hamlets. You descend to Santo da Serra's vibrant square with its lively market; wood smoke fills the air as meats grill al fresco - you must try the traditional espetada (marinated meat skewered on laurel twigs)!
You stay at Porto Bay Serra Golf.
The Porto Bay Serra Golf was originally built in the 1920s. In the 1940s it became a teahouse and was later used as the golf clubhouse. It has since been renovated into a beautiful hotel. The original part of the building contains the lounge with honesty bar and elegant restaurant as well as the two superior twin rooms and the suite.
The indoor pools opens out onto the gardens and is an ideal space for relaxing.
The elegant standard rooms are situated in the new part of the building. All rooms are equipped with satellite television, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, telephone and safe. None of these rooms have balconies, although the downstairs rooms have a small terrace and can be requested subject to availability.
Other facilities include honesty bar, fitness room and library. There is also a 27- hole golf course beside the hotel and the hotel has preferential rates for green fees as well as equipment hire.
There are 2 optional walks provided today. The first starts with a transfer (30 mins), taking you to the most eastern point of Madeira, to Ponta de Sao Lourenco's Nature Reserve, where you'll walk the hugely popular peninsula loop, with sweeping views, jagged peaks and masses of flora and fauna.
The second optional walk is on the Levada Nova (9.5km/6mi/3hr). The Levada Nova is a rewarding walk and quite spectacular. It takes you round into the upper reaches of the Ribeiro Santa Cruz, where there are sun-dappled waterfalls and a wide variety of flora. The levada is reached by a short, but steep descent on a quiet country lane.
A 45 minute transfer takes you to Boa Morte to take the Levada do Norte, through pine and eucalyptus trees, and on paths lined with pink belladonna flowers. High on the poios (terraces) the path wanders through pretty villages, before arriving in Cabo Girao where the majestic expanse of the Atlantic is spread out before us. A transfer will take you on to your hotel in Funchal where you will spend your last two nights.
You stay at Quinta da Bela Vista.
The luxury 5 star family-run Quinta da Bela Vista, one of the most exclusive hotels on Madeira, commands fabulous panoramic views of Funchal from its hillside location on the edge of the city. It's a perfect oasis of calm in this bustling city.
The hotel consists of three buildings set in stylish and typical Madeiran gardens perfect for a spot of relaxing. All the rooms are stylishly furnished and are equipped with mini bar, safe and tea and coffee making facilities and you'll come across original paintings and rare antiques throughout the buildings.
There are two fine restaurants, one half board and one a la carte, a heated outdoor swimming pool with spectacular views from it's terrace over Funchal, the pool bar serves snacks during the day and is an excellent spot for a drink either pre or post dinner. A sauna, Jacuzzi and tennis court are also available for guests. A regular complimentary day time shuttle service is provided to and from Funchal.
Room upgrades: Twin Garden View with Balcony, Twin Superior Room with Balcony, Deluxe Room with Balcony or Junior Suite.
The Twin garden room with balcony is in the garden wing of the hotel, is slightly larger than the standard garden room and has a balcony. The Twin Superior room with balcony is in the Avista Navios building - they have larger bathrooms, a sitting area, and balconies with a view over the beautiful gardens and bay of Funchal. The Deluxe room with balcony have larger bathrooms, a sitting area, and balconies with a view over the beautiful gardens. The Junior Suites are located in the original Manor House and are individually decorated. They have large bedrooms, a separate sitting room.
Spend your last day exploring at leisure in Funchal, perhaps starting in the bustling market near the harbour - it's full of atmosphere and ablaze with colour. Enjoy lunch on the harbour, saving room for an afternoon cream tea at Reid's, then it's time to relax by the pool or in the beautiful exotic gardens of your hotel.
Today you will take your transfer back to Funchal airport as agreed.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon.
Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4 star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £275.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
Unfortunately this holiday is not suitable for solo travellers due to remoteness and terrain of some walks.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Funchal airport. Transfers from the airport are included in the basic Tour Only price above.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment. *Unfortunately, due to the airline themselves we are unable to book Ryanair.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
18.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App