Madeira

Hiking between sea and mountains on the east coast of the island

4,7/5 (27 reviews)

Réf : BMAD8X

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Stay Hiking / Trekking >
Hiking between sea and mountains on the east coast of the island

In summary

Sports

Hiking / Trekking
Duration
8 days
Level
Confirmed

Levels

Hiking / Trekking

Beginner

For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.

Intermediate

For those wishing to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of around 600m on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.

Confirmed

For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.

Advanced

For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and an elevation gain of 700 to 1,200 meters, off-trail or over rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports several times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.

Expert

For those who want a challenging hike of 7 to 8 hours per day with over 1200 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years, and you are training for this event.
Destination
Portugal / Madeira
Age
From 16 - 90 years
CO₂-Emissions
103.41 kg CO2
Type of stay

This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.

Type of stay
In a group
Languages

Portuguese

In a few words

Discover the natural wonders of Madeira on a multi-day hike through lush vegetation and volcanic landscapes sculpted by time. Between spectacular cliffs, coastal paths, and deep valleys , this trip promises an authentic immersion into the soul of the island.

Your adventure begins with a scenic hike from Machico to Porto da Cruz, along a balcony trail offering breathtaking ocean views. You then continue along the Levada do Furado , an iconic irrigation channel winding through the laurel forest. Next, you head towards the Picos de Europa mountains, where a 360° panorama reveals the island's grandeur.

A change of scenery awaits in the Boaventura Valley, a haven of unspoiled nature, where you'll hike along the ridge trail overlooking the ocean and mountains. Then, descend towards Encumeada , before reaching Funchal via the breathtaking Cabo Girão viewpoint , the second highest sea cliff in Europe.

Your stay concludes with free time in Funchal , an opportunity to stroll through its colorful streets before departure. A journey between land and sea, ideal for lovers of hiking and breathtaking scenery!

The highlights

A journey between sea and mountains with few transfers
Crossing the Picos and hiking through exceptional subtropical vegetation
The quality of the accommodations

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Photos

Serge - verified review - august 2025

Didier - verified review - may 2025

Sebastien - verified review - april 2025

Caroline - verified review - may 2024

Sport

Level

Hiking / Trekking

Confirmed

For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.

In figures

Hiking

Average duration/day: 5h
Average distance/day: 12 km
Average daily elevation gain: 564 m
Average daily descent: 639 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.

Band : 1 supervisor for 5 to 15 people

Languages spoken:

Portuguese

Guide accompagnateur

A French-speaking Madeiran guide, or more rarely a French one, will be present from the morning of day 2 until the afternoon of day 7. They will be there every day, leaving you at the end of the day and meeting you again in the morning.

In all cases, he was chosen for his field experience, his specific knowledge of a geographical area, the culture associated with it, and for his passion for showcasing the country.

Program

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Arrival in Madeira
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Individual arrival at Funchal airport, located in the municipality of Santa Cruz. Independent transfer and check-in to your accommodation in Santa Cruz or Machico.
If your flight arrives early enough, you can explore the São Lourenço peninsula (self-guided hike; expect to pay around €50 for a round-trip taxi from Machico or Santa Cruz // €100 from São Roque do Faial). It's located at the northeastern tip of the island. A lovely trail allows you to appreciate a very dry, almost lunar landscape and offers stunning views of the ocean, and with a bit of luck, Porto Santo.
In case of late arrival, go directly to the accommodation.
Day 1
Santa Cruz - Porto da Cruz
- Transportation Minibus - 00h16 - 10km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today we are setting off on a coastal hike that connects Machico to Porto da Cruz on the north coast of the island.
We climb to the top of Pico do Facho, just above Machico, then continue along the Levada de Caniçal for a first glimpse of local life.
Then, the path runs along a cliff (for those who are prone to vertigo, there is another path available) to reach Porto da Cruz where we can enjoy a short swim on a pretty black sand beach and the rum distillery, one of the last still operating on the island.
A vehicle then takes us to Sao Roque do Faial where we settle in for 2 nights.
Day 2
Levada do Castelejo
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 580 m
- Negative elevation 580 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off on foot from São Roque do Faial, from where we head up towards the first levada of the day: Lombo Grande. After reaching the road, we take a path that goes up and down until we arrive at the Levada de Castelejo.
After taking some photos, we'll cross the river and follow the levada that runs through Terra Baptista and ends in Referta. Once in Referta, we'll simply follow the path that leads to the hotel in São Roque do Faial.
Day 3
Crossing the Picos
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 820 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, a short transfer allows us to reach Pico Arriero, the starting point of today's hike.
Full day exploring the famous Picos, from Pico Arriero to Pico Ruivo, the highest point on the island.
The ridge path offers stunning views of the entire mountain range, without ever being vertigo-inducing.
We descend to Achada do Texeira where our transfer awaits to take us to Boaventura (1 hour drive) where we will stay for 2 nights.*
*For the following departures, the 2 nights are in Sao Vicente:
21/02/26 + 11/04/26 + 25/04/26 + 18/07/26 + 01/08/26 + 05/09/26 + 07/11/26 + 21/11/26 + 19/12/26
Day 4
Boaventura
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 730 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we set off to discover a "forgotten Madeira". We immerse ourselves in the deep nature of the Boaventura valley, with its verdant terraced crops and rugged terrain.
Throughout our walk, we travel between sea and mountain and gradually discover small lost villages, dense and lush vegetation, endemic plants as well as superb views of the Atlantic Ocean.

We arrive at our hotel in Boaventura directly on foot.*

*For subsequent departures, a short transfer will be provided from the hotel to the start and end of the hike, and again at the end of the day:
21/02/26 + 11/04/26 + 25/04/26 + 18/07/26 + 01/08/26 + 05/09/26 + 07/11/26 + 21/11/26 + 19/12/26
Day 5
Boaventura - Levadas de Serra and Norte - Encumeada
- Transportation Minibus - 00h25 - 15km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning, a 25-minute transfer takes us to Encumeada, located in the very center of the island.

We walk along the Serra and Norte levadas at an altitude varying from 1,000m to 1,300m. It offers us very pretty views over the São Vicente valley, and crosses areas of high altitude vegetation as well as the Laurissilva forest.

Walk back to Encumeada where we will have a transfer to the hotel in Funchal.
Day 6
Discovering Funchal
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 10km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today, we're off to visit Funchal. We'll start with the famous traditional Funchal market before heading to a local restaurant for lunch.
The rest of the afternoon is free.
After your lunch break, here are the optional activities we can offer you for the afternoon (to be booked and paid for directly on site): whale watching trip, kayaking, paddleboarding, the botanical garden, etc. You won't be short of ideas on site!
At the end of the day, dinner at your leisure and last night in Funchal.
Day 7
Machico - End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast in Machico. Transfer to Funchal airport at your leisure according to your flight schedule.
Airport transfer included if you booked your flights with us.
Day 8

Note

Depending on weather and operational conditions, the guide may modify this itinerary for your safety and that of the group.

Accommodation

During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.

🏨 4-star hotel - Day 1

In Santa Cruz, this 4-star hotel offers an outdoor pool, a gym, a garden, and a shared lounge. It is located 600 meters from Palmeiras Beach and 18 km from Funchal Marina. The nearest airport is Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, 4 km away.

- Days 2 to 3

In Sao Roque, the Residencial Sao Roque do Faial is a must-stay for hikers in Madeira. It's a 33-room establishment, all spacious and comfortable. The hotel also has its own café and restaurant.

🏨 2-star hotel - Days 4 to 5

In the small village of Boaventura , the Solar hotel has a lounge, a museum composed of traditional Madeiran artifacts, a billiards room, a bar, a restaurant, terraces, gardens, all designed to offer you a relaxing and very pleasant stay in Boaventura.

🏨 3-star hotel - Days 6 to 7

Located in the center of Funchal , this is a lovely 3-star hotel with a restaurant and a bar with a pool table. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. On the top floor, guests can enjoy the swimming pool and a terrace with magnificent views of Funchal, the bay, and the mountains.

🏨 Country hotel

In Madeira, we stay in 3-star hotels (local standards) with very good service and in guesthouses (small, simple hotels). We sleep in double/twin rooms with private bathrooms.

In Machico , Residencial Amparo : This is a family-run guesthouse with 12 rooms, located in the heart of Machico, on a small pedestrian street. The rooms have cable TV, private bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi.

Access

Departure

Machico

Day 1

End of stay

Machico

Day 8

Transfer on your own on Day 1 to the hotel for the first night. Meet your guide at 8:00 AM at the hotel reception on Day 2. Departure on Day 8 after breakfast.

Airport-hotel transfers are included if you booked your flights with us.

Go to the starting point

Access by plane

The nearest airport isAéroport de Funchal

Would you like to travel on other dates?

Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.

Price details

The price includes

Accommodation for 7 nights in hotels and residences (based on a standard double room)
Breakfasts from Day 2 to Day 8
Picnic lunches from Day 2 to Day 7
Dinners from Day 2 to Day 5
The trip will be supervised by a tour guide from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 7.
Transfers by minibus according to the program
Luggage transfers according to the program

The price does not include

International flights Paris / Funchal round trip
Air taxes
Airport-hotel-airport transfers (if you did not book your flights with us)
Meals listed as "not included"
Drinks
Entrance fees to sites and museums, including the Cabo Girao viewpoint (€2 per visit)
Tips for the local staff (at your discretion)

Options

You will be able to select these options when booking.

Flight booking + Airport transfers : CHF86.91 / person
Airport transfer Funchal / Hotel Santa Cruz for 1 to 7 people : CHF32.02 / unit
Transfer from Funchal hotel to Funchal airport for 1 to 7 people : CHF59.46 / unit
Single room supplement : CHF228.70 / person
Additional night in Machico/Santa Cruz in a single room : CHF73.18 / person
Additional night in Machico/Santa Cruz in a double room : CHF45.74 / person
Additional night in Funchal in a single room : CHF100.63 / person
Additional night in Funchal in a double room : CHF54.89 / person
Whale watching excursion : CHF68.61 / person
Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

Specifics

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).

In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.

ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

Equipment

Equipment to bring

Walking stick(s).
Plastic bags for waterproofing your belongings, cameras and clothes.
Rain cape and rain pants
Backpack protector
Keeping a notebook and journal is a popular activity for trekkers. You can also travel with your technical sheet, where we've included a special section for your favorite moments, travel stories, and anecdotes.
A toiletry bag
Sunscreen cream (face and lips)
Headlamp, with spare batteries and bulbs
A water bottle of at least 1 liter, lightweight and insulated, plates and cutlery for the picnic
Pocket knife, preferably a multi-purpose one
Gloves and hat (for mountain hikes)

Clothing to bring

Trekking shoes:

These are a trekker's best friends. They must possess three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-tops), and waterproofing. Choose shoes with non-slip soles, good traction, and a relatively rigid build; they must grip the terrain well. Vibram soles have a long-standing reputation; opt for them if you have the choice.

Light shoes (tennis) or sandals to put on during stops in towns and villages.
Socks.
Loose-fitting trousers.
Sweater, sweatshirt or fleece. The latter has the advantage of being resistant, warm, light, quick-drying, with a soft feel.
Shorts or bermudas.
Breathable Gore-Tex type windbreaker.
Rain cape.
Hat.
Swimsuit.
Bath towel.
Good sunglasses (protection index 3).

They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers

4,7/5

(27 reviews)

At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.

Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order

Lisa - 32 ans

september 2026 In a group

Translated from French

The organization was quite good, the guide was very friendly, knowledgeable about the island and its flora, and fluent in French. The accommodations were more than adequate. The downsides were a few frankly bad meals and the lack of strenuous activity; two out of five hikes had less than 500 meters of elevation gain, including one day where we only hiked for two hours. But overall, a very good trip!

Published on 15/09/2026

Decathlon Travel's response

Translated from French

Hello Lisa, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We take your feedback very seriously, especially regarding the meals and the difficulty level of some of the hikes. Our mission is to provide you with experiences that meet your expectations, and we are sorry that we didn't fully achieve this this time. We encourage you to contact us directly to discuss this further with the local agency that organized your trip and understand what went wrong. The Decathlon Travel Team

Evelyne

september 2025 In a group

Translated from French

I recommend this trip. The scenery is magnificent, and we took some less-traveled trails. It was very educational. The mattress at the Sao Roque residence was very uncomfortable, but the staff was friendly and we ate well.

Published on 22/09/2025

Serge

august 2025 In a couple

Translated from French

A dream destination. However, the Decathlon program wasn't up-to-date with the local agency's and was sorely lacking in detail... and luckily, once you're there, as Roberto would say, you throw it all away 😉 A top-notch guide and organization. A small group of six who didn't know each other on the morning of departure and parted ways, not without emotion, after six days. Our guide, Roberto, adapted well... even if we were a bit unruly, and we appreciated his thoughtful touches at lunchtime. In short, a dream vacation, sporty but quite accessible for people with a reasonable fitness level. Not much elevation gain per day, but some steep climbs. The only downside was the last night in a not-so-great hotel, whereas the previous ones had always been decent, even if a bit typical.

Published on 29/08/2025

Decathlon Travel's response

Translated from French

Good morning,

Thank you so much for your feedback! We are delighted that you had such a wonderful sporting and friendly experience, especially thanks to Roberto's guidance.

We have taken note of your comments regarding the program delay and the inconsistent quality of the last accommodation. These points have been addressed in order to improve the clarity and quality of the stay.

The Decathlon Travel team

Decathlon Travel Partner

The Paulin team

4.4/5 (1440 reviews) • 453 stays

For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.

Discover their team and their trips

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In summary

In a few words

The highlights

Photos

Sport

Level

Hiking / Trekking

In figures

Hiking

Management

Program

Arrival in Madeira

Santa Cruz - Porto da Cruz

Levada do Castelejo

Crossing the Picos

Boaventura

Boaventura - Levadas de Serra and Norte - Encumeada

Discovering Funchal

Machico - End of stay

Note

Accommodation

Access

Go to the starting point

Price details

The price includes

The price does not include

Options

Practical information

Specifics

Equipment to bring

Clothing to bring

They traveled with us

Lisa - 32 ans 100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.

Evelyne 100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.

Serge 100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.

The Paulin team

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Lisa - 32 ans

Evelyne

Serge