Hiking in Madeira

For travellers coming from Norway, we fly from Oslo to Madeira and land in Funchal where we are picked up by our local friends and driven to our hotel. We prepare ourselves for six days of hiking with ocean views, dinner, and a review of the week's varied itinerary. For participants coming from other countries, you are responsible to arrange transportation to and from Funchal on your own.

Ponta de São Lourenço is Madeira's answer to Lofoten in miniature – a raw and windswept peninsula where the landscape shifts from green to golden, with the ocean on both sides. The trip out toward the tip of the island resembles a mountain trip on the outer side of Lofoten: bare ridges, rock formations, low vegetation, and a constant feeling of being right in the elements. On clear days you can see all the way to the Desertas Islands.

Vereda do Fanal goes from the Paul da Serra plateau (approximately 1400 m) and offers open plains and views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Gradually the trail winds downward to the mystical forest area of Fanal, a foggy, green landscape where crooked laurel trees stand like living sculptures. On humid days the atmosphere is almost otherworldly – like walking right into a fairy tale. The many cows roaming and grazing contribute to a peaceful atmosphere. The ancient laurel forest (Laurisilva) is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This is a relatively easy to moderate trip, but with some longer sections that can be muddy, especially after rain.

Today we are heading to the highest mountain area in Madeira. We can drive all the way up to Pico Do Arieiro, catch the sunrise, and take a hike among the highest peaks in Madeira. If the trail is open we walk to Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain in Madeira. We look out over volcanic rock formations and green valleys and mountain sides, if the weather is on our side. It is a hilly terrain with stairs, and trails that wind around the mountains. We walk calmly and enjoy nature and the views along the way. We return to the hotel by bus.

Pico Grande is centrally located on Madeira and offers one of the island's best views, with 360-degree panoramas of dramatic valleys, deep gorges, and the highest peaks surrounding you – including Pico Ruivo and Pico do Arieiro. We walk Caminho Real da Encumeada and can take a side trip round trip to the summit of Pico Grande. We walk on old stone paths past small plateaus and across mountain ridges with views toward both the north and south coasts. The direction we walk the trip varies.

The trip starts at Levada do Caniçal in the hills above Machico and leads you through lush landscape and small farms before you reach the Boca do Risco viewpoint. From here the trail follows a gorgeous coastline with cliffs and fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The trail is well maintained, but certain sections are narrow and somewhat exposed, and is not recommended in all kinds of weather. The trip goes to Porto da Cruz, a charming village where you can grab a cup of coffee after the trip.

The last trip on the island will be a levada that starts in Quebradas and follows a well-maintained levada through varied vegetation. The first part of the trail goes through exotic forest and agricultural areas, where you can observe local farming in São Jorge and Santana. Gradually the vegetation becomes denser, and you walk through tunnels formed by the lush laurel forest. Deep inside we arrive at Ribeiro Bonito, an isolated nature reserve surrounded by dense laurel forest. Here you can experience Madeira's unique flora and fauna in an area that has remained unchanged for centuries. Tonight we celebrate the wonderful days on this lush island with a nice farewell dinner.

We eat breakfast at the hotel and have some free time before we get a ride to the airport in Funchal for the trip back home.