Portugal's Madeira Hiking & Walking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
Portugal's Madeira Hiking & Walking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2026: Mar-Dec
Epic Trails & Ancient Forests on the Atlantic's Garden Isle
Hike fern-lined ridge trails and stroll through terra cotta-roofed fishing villages. Explore rocky beaches, dramatic mountains and towering waterfalls and discover why Madeira is known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic.”
Highlights
- Traverse the island via a 600-year-old system of levadas—aqueducts that crisscross its emerald mountains and carry water to its lower lands
- Visit Ponta de São Lourenço and hike along its dramatic red-hued cliffs and striking volcanic rock formations
- Savor meals at beloved local restaurants while sampling ciders, Madeira wines and the island’s signature drink, poncha
- Take in Madeira’s seafaring history in its capital city, Funchal, and admire tropical plants at Palheiro Gardens
- Unwind at sumptuous and historic retreats ensconced in the island’s naturally stunning landscapes
Start/End Funchal
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Start your journey with a leisurely lunch in the charming village of Camacha, paired with a taste of local artisanal cider • Follow a section of levadas past ponds, leafy ferns and majestic oak trees • Wander through roses and camellia trees in the colorful Palheiro Gardens • Traverse Ponta de São Lourenço, a stretch of remarkable basalt coastline that sharply contrasts with the island’s lush interior • Cruise the coast in a Zodiac to the 15th-century settlement of Machicho • Wander seaside routes to Caniçal, once known as the center of Madeira's whaling industry
Nights 1-2
High up in the hills above Funchal, this tranquil hotel—originally built in 1804—has kept its old-world charm and is filled with antiques, fresh flowers and floral patterns inspired by its proximity to the lovely Palheiro Estate and Gardens. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Hike out to the northern Vereda do Larano, considered one of Madeira's most stunning coastal routes, with views of cliffs plunging into the Atlantic and kestrels winging the winds • Visit the sugarcane and rum town of Porto da Cruz for a beautiful lunch, followed by a stroll on its promenade • Relax at the elegant Saccharum Resort & Spa in the historical banana-plantation town of Calheta, one of the island's sunniest locales and home to a golden-sand beach • Take a dip in a pool overlooking the Atlantic
Night 3
Converted from an old sugar mill, this sleek hotel has been redesigned with modern decor and rooms boasting floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the Atlantic and surrounding green mountains. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Discover the verdant inland and enjoy the sights and scents of Madeira’s endemic flora and fauna, including its ancient laurissilva forest • Experience sweeping views of the island on an afternoon hike through Madeira's highlands • Summit 5,965-foot Pico do Arieiro via the famous Stairway to Heaven, for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and Nun's Valley • Unwind at the spa or order afternoon tea on the terrace of our historic hotel, which once hosted European royalty and legendary writers like Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw
Nights 4-5
With iconic baby-pink walls, this palatial structure built onto the clifftops near Funchal has been an island mainstay for the past 100 years. Though modernized, it still enjoys a roaring 20s flair. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The Old World legacy of Portugal is beautifully reflected in the hotels and restaurants featured on this trip. While we’ve handpicked some of the region’s finest lodgings and eateries, on occasion you may find them simpler than what’s typical in other Backroads Premiere Hotels in Europe. The relaxed lifestyle that defines this region can also result in slower service.
Our hikes in Madeira showcase the island’s stunning and varied terrain, often following narrow routes and levadas (historic irrigation channels) that trace the steep mountainsides. Though the trails are well maintained, guests sensitive to heights should be prepared for significant drop-offs and extended time on cliffside paths.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
High up in the hills above Funchal, this tranquil hotel—originally built in 1804—has kept its old-world charm and is filled with antiques, fresh flowers and floral patterns inspired by its proximity to the lovely Palheiro Estate and Gardens. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Night 3
Premiere Hotel
Converted from an old sugar mill, this sleek hotel has been redesigned with modern decor and rooms boasting floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the Atlantic and surrounding green mountains. (pool, spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
With iconic baby-pink walls, this palatial structure built onto the clifftops near Funchal has been an island mainstay for the past 100 years. Though modernized, it still enjoys a roaring 20s flair. (pool, spa)
Gallery
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Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates to see pricing, hotel or itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy, in USD.
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