Special Interest Packages

Not all of the 500 miles of levadas are possible for walkers but a substantial proportion of these irrigation channels have reasonable and/or well-maintained paths alongside providing excellent opportunities to explore the Madeiran countryside. They were originally built as the only source of water transport from the wetter northern and upland areas to the more settled but drier south.

Walking for Individuals - 8 days / 7 night walking itinerary.

Day 1 Arrival and transfer to Camacha. Overnight in Camacha / Estalagem Relógio, which has own restaurant and bar, apart from this there are some restaurants in the village nearby the old church. Camacha is known for its wicker-work handicraft articles and has approx. 10.000 inhabitants and is situated 700m. above sea level.
Day 2 Walk: CAMACHA / QUATRO ESTRADAS / SANTO DA SERRA. Two options: Camacha – Quatro Estradas approx. 9,5 km Camacha – Santo da Serra approx. 14 km It is an easy walk with no vertiginous places a wide path – partly through forest – fruit plantations and agriculture area. Very green. Overnight in Camacha / Estalagem Relógio.
Day 3 Walk: CAMACHA / CHOUPANA / MONTE Three options: Camacha – Choupana approx. 6 km Camacha – Curral dos Romeiros approx. 8 km Camacha – Monte approx. 10 km Wide walking path – partly forest and inhabited area. Views over Funchal and the Bay of Funchal . In option two there are a few short vertiginous sections. Option three is the last path not along a levada but down in a valley and up again to reach Monte. Monte is a famous suburb of Funchal, well known for its church and parks and from here you can reach Funchal by cable car or the famous “toboggan” sledges. Local bus from Funchal to Machico, Madeiras second biggest town on the eastern part of the south coast. Overnight in Machico / Residencial Amparo, which has own restaurant. Machico is the second biggest town approx. 18.000 inhabitants and is situated at sea level – and has a wide choice of restaurants.
Day 4 Walk: MAROÇOS / CANIÇAL TUNNEL This levada is also called the “Mimosa levada” due to its many Mimosa /Acacia trees. It is passing through the three valleys of Machico partly in forest and as well passing through agricultural parts growing on terraces. Wide walking path no vertiginous parts approx. 11,5 km. Local bus to and from the walk. There is a very short tunnel. Overnight in Machico / Residencial Amparo.
Day 5 Walk: CRUZ / LEVADA CASTELEJO / REFERTA / PORTO DA CRUZ There are several option possibilities – but here are the 3 main options: 1 Cruz – Castelejo – Referta approx. 10,5 km 2 Cruz – Referta approx. 7,5 km 3 Cruz – Referta – Porto da Cruz 10,5 km Option 1 are there vertiginous parts with no protection – but there are fantastic views over the valley to Sanroque. Option 2 is easy very changeable part with light forest and open parts with view over Porto da Cruz and the impressing Eagle cliff. Option 3 the last part from Referta till Porto da Cruz is an old path used by Madeirans before there were roads – walking down and up for approx. an hour. Overnight in the charming village, Porto da Cruz, which has natural sea water pool, and one of the still three existing sugar cane factories – season is march/april. / Albergaria do Penedo, which has own restaurant. In Porto da Cruz there are some restaurants, there are approx. 3.500 inhabitants and is situated at sea level.
Day 6 Walk: PICO DAS PEDRAS / QUEIMADAS / CALDERÃO VERDE / PICO DAS PEDRAS / QUEIMDADAS / LEVADA COVA DA RODA Two options: 1 as mentioned above approx. 14 km 1 the alternative walk approx. 6,5 km Option 1 is definitively one of the highlights, there are 4 tunnels, torch is necessary – and there are some very vertiginous places with protection – and breathtaking views. The path leads through primeval forest and ends by a waterfall and a small green lake – like a big kettle (Calderão Verde means – big green kettle). Option 2 is easy and mainly leading through forest and kiwi plantations. Overnight in Santana / Residencial O Curtado – a bit outside Santana. O Curtado has own restaurant and apart from this there are no others. Santana has approx. 5.000 inhabitant and is situated 400 m. above sea level.
Day 7 Walk: SÃO ROQUE / LEVADA DAS FURNAS / LOMBO GRANDE / SÃO ROQUE Walking distance approx. 6 km. The first part of the walk is along a levada – easy to walk. Then it gets up via steps and normal path – and again down along a small levada on a beam with fantastic views to both sides – and more or less through the gardens of these country side houses. Possibility from São Roque do Faial to take a taxi up to one of Madeiras highest peaks – Pico do Arieiro. Overnight in São Roque do Faial a tiny village / Residencial Rural Sanroque with own restaurant and bar. S. Roque d. Faial has approx. 800 inhabitants.
Day 8 Transfer departure to the airport.

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