Madeira Atlantic Walking Escape

You arrive today and settle in to your hotel in Santana.

Setting off this morning, you follow the panoramic coastal path along the ancient cobbled route between Santana and Sao Jorge. If you are staying at Vila Bela in Porto da Cruz, you have a 15 minutes transfer to the start. Agapanthus and cacti line the descent to Calhau before you traverse the base of the cliffs as Atlantic rollers sweep in, then climb to balcony viewpoints.

Fabulous coastal vistas lead you towards Sao Jorge, its lighthouse glimmering above azure waters, with Pico Ruivo on the horizon as we return to Santana – or transfer back to Porto da Cruz if that is your base. You stay at Quinta do Furao with breakfast and evening meal included.

Two route options: walking time 3.5 hours, distance 10 km/6.2 mi – or walking time 4 hours, distance 13 km/8 mi.

A 10–25 minutes transfer brings you to the Parque das Queimadas, so the hard climbing is done for you. Follow the beautiful, shady Caldeirao Verde levada into the Vale da Lapa, with magnificent views of the sea, hilltop villages and the lofty central peaks. Continue through a series of impressive tunnels to the splendid Caldeirao Verde waterfall, then descend the Lapa Valley to Ilha before taking the bus back to Santana – or a transfer to Porto da Cruz if that is your base.

Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles

Before departure, a picnic is provided by the hotel and a minibus collects you for a scenic 25–35 minutes ride to Ribeiro Frio. You join the Levada do Furado, a verdant corridor of laurel, heather and pine, with waterfalls tumbling into a gushing river and tiny firecrest and tame finches flitting between the trees. Clearings reveal white hilltop hamlets as you descend to Santo da Serra’s lively square and market, where you can try traditional espetada – marinated meat skewered on laurel twigs. We stay at Porto Bay Serra Golf with breakfast, picnic and evening meal included.

Distance: 14.1 km / 8.7 miles

Today you choose between two optional walks. The first begins with a 30 minutes transfer to the eastern tip at Ponta de Sao Lourenco to walk the celebrated peninsula loop, with sweeping views, jagged peaks and abundant flora and fauna. The second option follows the Levada Nova – 9.5 km/6 mi/3 hours – a rewarding and spectacular route into the upper reaches of the Ribeiro Santa Cruz, with sun dappled waterfalls and varied flora, reached by a short but steep descent on a quiet country lane.

Distance: 8 km / 5 miles (Ponta de Sao Lourenco) or 9.5 km/6 miles (Levada Nova)

A 45 minutes transfer takes you to Boa Morte to join the Levada do Norte, winding through pine and eucalyptus and along terraces lined with pink belladonna. The path meanders through pretty villages before you reach Cabo Girao, where the Atlantic spreads out majestically below. A transfer then takes you to our hotel in Funchal for the final two nights.

Distance:11 km / 6.8 miles

You spend your final day exploring Funchal at leisure, perhaps starting at the bustling market near the harbour, ablaze with colour. You might linger over lunch on the waterfront, save room for an afternoon cream tea at Reid’s, then relax by the pool or in the hotel’s exotic gardens. You stay at Quinta da Bela Vista with breakfast included.

Your tour ends after breakfast and check-out. Make your own way to the airport or your next destination.