Itinerary
Madeira in eight days, the island of eternal spring off the coast of Africa, driven end to end by rental car from Funchal. We trek Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, try canyoning, swim in the lava pools of Porto Moniz and sail at sunset. Trekking and nature lead, with beaches, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte, a day on Porto Santo and free afternoons.


Welcome to Madeira: Funchal Check-in
Check-in
We check in at the hotel in Funchal, the island's capital, and the trip starts over dinner rather than out on a trail.
Funchal takes its name from the fennel that grows here in abundance, funcho in Portuguese, though our first dinner will thankfully not be built entirely around it.
Our first taste of Madeira is more likely fresh fish straight out of the Atlantic, eaten slowly while the group quietly sizes each other up.

Canyoning and the Streets of Machico
Ready for canyoning?
Adrenalin first thing. We swap the calm of arrival day for a river gorge, and only later get anywhere near a town.
Canyoning means descending a river by climbing, swimming, sliding and jumping; with its water-carved gorges, waterfalls and lush vegetation, Madeira is considered the best in the world.
Machico
After lunch and a chance to recover, we take the cars to Machico, Madeira's second largest city, and walk the narrow streets of the town centre.
The seafront promenade is full of cafes, so bolo do caco with a sea view, then sunset from the Francisco Alvares Nobrega Miradouro over Ponta de São Lourenço.

Trekking Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
The eternal spring
A dawn start, because the island where it is always spring keeps its very best scenery high above the coast.
The hike is Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, about six hours of walking, so boots on early and we let the views do the talking.
On the roof of Madeira!
Pico Ruivo is the highest mountain on the island at 1862 metres, and we hold a steady pace on the trail, fingers crossed for clear weather.
One last push to the summit, overhangs daunting but the path safe and handrailed, then a packed lunch and the same trail back to the cars.

Achadas da Cruz, Fanal and Porto Moniz Pools
Achadas da Cruz
Another early start, this time for the north-western tip of the island, where the way down to sea level is not a road.
The steepest cable car in the European Union sits at Achadas da Cruz, plunging almost vertically for 450 metres down the dramatic cliff face to sea level.
Below it a different microclimate: unspoilt farmland with small houses and traditional wine presses, a seaside promenade rated among the island's finest photo spots, and locals who sometimes serve drinks at home for a donation.
Porto Moniz
Via Porto Moniz and its natural lava pools, if time allows, we detour to the Parque Florestal do Fanal, an ancient laurel forest cloaked in thick mist.
Then the black-sand beach of Seixal and a plunge into the Atlantic Ocean at a pleasant 20 degrees, with the Véu da Noiva waterfall distant and a miradouro stop before Funchal.

Ponta de São Lourenço and Sunset Boat Trip
Trekking with a view
Hiking in the morning and sailing in the afternoon, and today the walking part of it comes with a genuine choice.
We can reach Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of the island, on a path over the Atlantic Ocean and red cliffs thick with vegetation.
Alternatively we head inland and trek to Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which trades the cliffs and open water for the green middle of the island.
Boat trip at sunset
The afternoon is a three hour boat trip at sunset towards Cabo Girão, anchoring for snorkelling, equipment on board, a drink for anyone staying dry.

Cabo Girão and Ponta do Pargo
The island from above
South coast day, mostly done from viewpoints, and it finishes right out at the far western end of the island.
We start from Câmara de Lobos, which hosted Winston Churchill in 1950, then climb a little towards the viewpoint that puts vertigo properly to the test.
Cabo Girão looks over the entire southern coast from a glass platform 580 metres up, the highest ocean cliff in Europe and second in the world.
Then the cars again to Ponta do Pargo, the westernmost point of the island, where the view is unrivalled and the sunset worth waiting for.

Nossa Senhora do Monte and Mercado dos Lavradores
Sledding in Madeira?
One last day on Madeira, and it involves a cable car up and something considerably stranger on the way down.
The cable car climbs to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte, the island's most important pilgrimage site, with the view and the botanical gardens too.
We come down by sledding, on toboggans first used at the beginning of the 19th century as public transport, still the most epic descent here.
A tour of the local market
The free afternoon points to the Mercado dos Lavradores in central Funchal for the freshest fruit, flowers, intricate crafts and souvenirs, then the farewell dinner.

Check-out and Goodbye in Funchal
Check out
Eight days gone, and this is check-out morning in Funchal. Time flies when you are having fun, which is the problem with it.
We check out, sort the bags and say goodbye to an island that has quietly become home over the course of these last eight days.
Then it is see you soon rather than goodbye, because everyone standing here already knows that another WeRoad adventure is waiting somewhere down the line.
What's included
7 nights accommodation in a shared room for the duration of the trip
All breakfasts
Sunset boat trip with drinks
An adrenaline-pumping canyoning experience
Car rental from Day 1 to Day 8
Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada)
What's not included
- Food and beverages when not specified
Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees
Trails and trekking entry fees
- All extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack
- Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section
Optional activities
Please note, some extra optional activities will be available for this trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group once the trip starts. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.
Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.
Teleferica Funchal return trip - approx. USD23
Whale watching excursion approx. USD67
Surf Lesson - approx. USD65
Wine tasting at Quinta do Barbusano - approx. USD20
Additional info
- Accommodation
Hotels, typical guest houses.
The first hotel will be shared with you at least 2 days before your departure by your Group Leader!
- Transport
Rental car
- Self-driven tour
This is a self-driven tour - it isn’t compulsory to drive, however if you are willing to, then please tick the box when booking your trip.
- Staff
Our trips are led by a Group Leader who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Group Leader.
- Visas and Vaccinations
Before booking, please ensure to check what documents, visas, and vaccinations are required to enter the country you are visiting. If you have any questions, please contact us.
- Arrival and Departure Times
We always advise trying to get to the meet-up point for the first day of your tour by 5pm. On the last day of the tour you are free to leave whenever you want!
- Luggage
Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.
- Info on private roomsShow all details
Why WeRoad
Small groups, on average 11 people
Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure
Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed
The Group Leaders
Find your flight
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