Explore Madeira Island Hiking Tour 8d, 7n, 6d hiking

2016

is a registered trademark of “Caminhos da Natureza” Registered Company as RNAVT(National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT(National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho, 58

2730-174 BARCARENA

PORTUGAL

www.portugalnaturetrails.com

[email protected]

Hiking Tour Explore Madeira Island Overview: This is a great hiking tour with a choice of same of the best Madeira trails, discovering stunning scenery of this volcanic island on mountains, cliffs and levadas. The Levadas are an extensive network of paths (small irrigation channels) that is also used for hiking, making the rugged mountainous topography of the island accessible to hikers providing an exhilarating Hiking unique experience! Madeira has been created by volcanic eruptions. Erosion has formed the island by creating bizarre rock formation as well as deep gorges. Madeira is "a vertical island" because wherever you go some where’s a vertical drop of several hundred will be just beside you. Now it’s your time to explore this Hiking paradise!

Highlights: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Mountain scenery Glorious mountain trails Madeira`s highest peaks Levadas stunning trails Laurel forest patrimony Funchal Old Town

is a registered trademark of “Caminhos da Natureza” Registered Company as RNAVT(National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT(National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho, 58

2730-174 BARCARENA

PORTUGAL

www.portugalnaturetrails.com

[email protected]

Tour Description: Day 1: Arrival at Madeira Airport and transfer to Machico. Lodging: Hotel White Waters Day 2: Machico to Ponta de São Lourenço. (10km; -500m, +500m) Short transfer (20 min) to ponta de São Lourenço. The trail follows S. Lourenço Point, the eastern-most Peninsula of Madeira Island, named after the caravel sailed by João Gonçalves de Zarco, one of the three discoverers of Madeira Island, who on coming near this piece of land shouted to his ship “São Lourenço, that’s enough!” This peninsula is volcanic in origin, and is mainly made of basalt, although there are also some limestone sediment formations. At the end of the Point there are two islets. The peninsula is classified as a partial natural reserve and the Desembarcadouro Islet is a total natural reserve. All the land and sea by the North coast, up to a depth of 50mts, is part of the European network of important community sites - Natura 2000. Transfer (20 min) back to Machico. Lodging: Hotel White Waters Day 3: Machico – Risco – Porto da Cruz – Santana (15km; -600, +600m) Start walking from your Hotel at Machico and go up to Facho Pic (322m). You will get on a trail along Caniçal Levada for 2km with great views for tiny terraces where islander’s farmers cultivate the fertile Madeira soil. The path then ascends gently to the crest - Boca do Risco where a stunning panorama of the north coast cliffs awaits. From Boca do Risco the trail, etched into the cliff face and following more or less the 300m contour, continues along the wildest stretch of coastline till the town of Porto da Cruz. Transfer to Santana (30min) Lodging & Dinner at Hotel Hotel O´Colmo 4* Day 4: Ilha – Caldeirão Verde – Queimadas - Santana (13km; -400, +550m) Short transfer (20 min) to Queimadas. Beginning in the Queimadas Forestry Park, this walk is ‘out-and-back’, and crosses some spectacularly steep slopes, but is one of the finest ways of penetrating the deep valley of the São Jorge brook on foot; you’ll need a torch on this walk, which passes through several tunnels. This trail begins at the Queimadas Forestry Park and winds along the walkway of the levada of Caldeirão Verde at 980 m elevation, in the municipality of Santana. The levada of Caldeirão Verde is an impressive work of art built in the 18th century that begins in the main stream bed of the Caldeirão Verde brook. Passing through steep cliffs and mountains, it carries the water that runs off the highest mountains of Madeira. This levada is used for agricultural purposes, but it is also an important means of reaching the interior of the deep valley of the São Jorge brook on foot, offering the traveler a vertiginous and spectacular view of the mountainous terrain of the interior of the island and the opportunity to walk through tunnels carved by hand out of the rock. Transfer to Santana (20min) Dinner & Lodging at Hotel Hotel O´Colmo 4*

is a registered trademark of “Caminhos da Natureza” Registered Company as RNAVT(National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT(National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho, 58

2730-174 BARCARENA

PORTUGAL

www.portugalnaturetrails.com

[email protected]

Day 5: Santana – Achada do Teixeira – Pico Ruivo – Encumeada (14km; -1000, +600m) Transfer to Achada do Teixeira (30 min) This energetic ridge walk begins just below Pico Ruivo, the highest summit, and heads west, high above steep, wooded slopes to the mountain pass at Encumeada. Marked by frequent climbs and descents, the trail winds along at elevations between 1800 and 1000 meters as it heads towards Encumeada. Extremely beautiful landscapes await travelers as they cross two types of ecosystems, both of which are part of the European Network of Sites of Community Interest - Natura 2000 Network: the Central Mountainous Massif and the Laurisilva Forest. We will walk into the Hotel. Dinner & Lodging at Residencial Encumeada. Day 6: Encumeada – Folhadal – Caramujo – Lombo do Mouro –Encumeada (17km; -600, +600m) We start walking from the Hotel. This walk follows the levadas of Serra and Norte between the elevations of 1000m and 1600m. It offers lovely views of the São Vicente valley, and passes areas of high altitude vegetation as well as Laurissilva forest. Beginning at the regional highway E.R. 110 on the way up to Paul da Serra from Encumeada. This path follows the levadas of Serra and Norte, between the elevations of 1000 and 1600 metres, crossing an excellent area of native high-altitude vegetation, as well as the native Laurisilva forest, an area that is part of the Natura 2000 Network. Along the way, you will encounter magnificent views of the São Vicente Valley, as well as examples of the island’s architecture and heritage, as is the case of a “municipal path”- a section of a public pathway used by the islanders in travelling between the north and south sides of the island - paved with stone; the levadasand tunnels carved out of the rock that were built to carry the water from the north to the south side of the island. The route runs along the levada, although in some places you leave it to follow the stone pathway. When you reach the top of the footpath at Pináculo, you will have a view of the magnificent landscape of the Ribeira Brava Valley in the background and the Central Mountain Range, where the island’s two highest peaks stand out. Walk back to the Hotel. Dinner & Lodging at Residencial Encumeada. Day 7: Encumeada – Boca da Corrida – Funchal (13km; -200, +600m) We start walking from the Hotel. Crossing part of the central mountain massif, this walk crosses the foot of some of the highest peaks on Madeira, and gives a glimpse of Curral das Freiras in its mountain stronghold. This is an old ‘Royal Path’, that was paved and used as one of the main routes across the island by the landed gentry. This trail begins at Encumeada and runs along elevations between 1340 and 940 metres, crossing part of the Central Mountainous Massif along the foot of the highest peaks of the island of Madeira. It is an old “Royal Path” that was paved and served as one of the main routes for the movement of persons on the island. In the landscape that unfolds before you, you will be able to see Curral das Freiras in the valley below. In 1566, this small village surrounded by enormous mountains in the heart of the island became a refuge for nuns from the Santa Clara Convent, who brought with them the treasures of the convent when pirates attacked Funchal. Transfer to Funchal (40min). Dinner & Lodging at Hotel do Carmo 3*. Day 8: Free morning / day at Funchal and transfer to the airport.

is a registered trademark of “Caminhos da Natureza” Registered Company as RNAVT(National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT(National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho, 58

2730-174 BARCARENA

PORTUGAL

www.portugalnaturetrails.com

[email protected]

Tour Profile : Type: Mountain terrain and “Levadas” Version: Self-guided Duration: 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days hiking Begin: Machico (Madeira) End: Funchal (Madeira) Difficulty level: FIT

Dates: All year. Any date subject to hotel availability.

Accommodation: Comfort » 7 nights (2 nights 4* Hotel, 3 nights 3* Hotels & 2 nights guest house). A number of dining options exist in or within short walk of each property (some exceptions). All accommodations include private bathroom and a variety of other amenities.

Day 1 & 2 – Machico White Waters Hotel 3* www.whitewaters-madeira.com

Days 3 & 4 – Santana Hotel O Colmo 4* www.hotelocolmo-santana.com/en/presentacion

Day 5 & 6 – Encumeada Residencial Encumeada. www.hotelencumeada.com

Day 7 – Funchal Carmo Hotel 3* www.hoteldocarmomadeira.com

is a registered trademark of “Caminhos da Natureza” Registered Company as RNAVT(National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT(National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho, 58

2730-174 BARCARENA

PORTUGAL

www.portugalnaturetrails.com

[email protected]