Full crossing of the Madeira Island from east to west in a multi-day trekking through the incredibly beautiful Laurissilva forest
This crossing, which crosses the island in an east-west direction over a 7-day walk, crosses quite diverse landscapes, starting with the volcanic rock formations at Ponta de São Lourenço, passing through the central mountain massif above 1800 meters in altitude and areas of lush forest, with century-old trees and views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Very mountainous and with deep valleys, between the highest peaks and coastal cliffs, the island of Madeira has an average altitude of 1371.6 meters. It is located 640 km west of the African continental margin and its very fertile volcanic soil, together with the strong humidity of the Atlantic winds, favour the growth of exuberant vegetation.
This vegetation cover is largely laurel forest, classified by UNESCO in 1999 as World Heritage. It is a subtropical humid forest, composed mainly by trees of the laurel family, endemic of Macaronesia, with an intense green colouration that is preserved throughout the year.
One of the best ways to experience this fantastic natural heritage is to walk along its paths and levadas, giving us the possibility of direct contact with the endemic species of its flora and fauna.
Highlights
- Be dazzled by the Laurissilva Forest;
- Observe endemic species of flora and birdlife on Madeira Island;
- Observe the centenary forest of Tis (Ocotea foetens) in Fanal;
- Walk on the Levada do Norte crossing the small tunnels carved in rock, which connect the North and South sides of the Island in the middle of the Laurissilva forest;
- Observe the basaltic dikes and rock formations in the massive central mountain range of the island and at the tip of São Lourenço;
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
Destination
Date
Duration
Booking
Minimum age
Flight
Transport
Activities
- Nature discovery
- Trekking
Sleeping
- Hotel - 3 nights
- Shelter House - 1 night
- Camp - 3 nights
Price
€990.00
Includes
- Accommodation in Hotels and Camping;
- Breakfast for 3 nights in hotel;
- Breakfasts and dinners in the evenings in camp and shelter.
- Material for camping nights (tent, mattress, cooking and meal equipment);
- External support of van and driver with necessary equipment for the 3 nights in camping;
- Local transport and transfers;
- Accompaniment of Portuguese Leader throughout the expedition;
Excludes
- Flights;
- Dinner at hotel nights;
- Flying lunches during the trekking;
- Unspecified visits;
- Extra activities;
- Medical and travel insurance (mandatory);
- Personal extras like drinks, phone, etc;
- Tips;
- Airport fees;
After the welcome at the airport, expedition leader Jorge Araújo will accompany you to the hotel where we will be staying. There you will be able to rest from the flight and meet with the other participants before the general briefing, where everyone will be informed about the most relevant aspects of the expedition. Funchal offers us the possibility of an urban escape taking into account the 7-day trekking expedition that follows. You will have the opportunity to walk through its streets, and get to know a little bit of this city full of history and local culture.
We leave Funchal and make our way to the tip of São Lourenço, on the east end of Madeira Island, where our crossing of the island will begin. After observing the volcanic rock formations characteristic of this location, we begin the first stage of our walk. It will be approximately 16 km with 400 m of positive climbing. As we pass over the Larano footpath, we will spot the village of Porto da Cruz, on the northern side of the island, where we will spend the night.
In the morning we will start the second stage of our crossing, this time between the villages of Porto da Cruz and Ribeiro Frio. After a steep climb up to Levada do Furado, we will have the first contact with the Laurissilva forest. This stage will have about 16 km with 900 m of positive climbing, finishing in Chão das Feiteiras (Ribeiro Frio) at 900 meters of altitude. Here we will spend the night in a campsite, with views to the peaks we will reach next day.
We start the day with the goal of reaching Pico Areeiro, the third highest peak of the island at 1818 meters of altitude. After reaching Pico Areeiro we will follow one of the most spectacular and emblematic trails of the island, winding its central mountain range, in a landscape of steep slopes and views over deep volcanic valleys. The stage ends with the arrival at the Pico Ruivo Shelter, the highest in the island at 1862 metres, where we will spend the night. It will be 15 km with steep gradients, in a total of 1450 metres of positive climbing.
The fifth day reserves for us the longest walk of this crossing, it will be about 22 km although mostly downhill. We will walk in the central mountainous massif of the island, with views over the valleys of Curral das Freiras and Serra de Água to the South, and the valleys of Boa Ventura and São Vicente to the North. After reaching Encumeada we will walk along Levada do Norte and go through its tunnels until we reach Paul da Serra, the highest plateau of the island, where we will spend the night camping.
This day takes us to the village of Chão da Ribeira, in the magnificent Seixal valley. After reaching the village of Chão da Ribeira at 360 meters of altitude, we start the ascent towards Fanal passing through its emblematic forest of centenary trees. We will spend the night at Fanal in camping. It will be a stage of 14 km and 850 m of positive climbing.
In the last and final stage of our crossing we will connect the region of Fanal to the village of Porto Moniz where our crossing of the island ends. It will be 13 km, mostly downhill, and with only one uphill section with a positive climbing level of 350 m. Ocean views will accompany this final stage. When we arrive in Porto Moniz it will be possible to swim in the natural pools of this coastal town where we will spend the night.
Transfer to Funchal and end of expedition.
Physical effort
Autonomy
Isolation
Cultural immersion
Adventure
Wilderness
Physical Condition: All our expeditions can be undertaken by people with an active and healthy lifestyle. However, you should be prepared to stay overnight in camp for 3 nights during this expedition. Make sure you prepare for the expedition to arrive in reasonable physical shape and ready to do distances between 15 to 21 km daily with steep downhill.
During the expedition you should be sufficiently fit for the following:
Climate: Most of the time moderate, with average temperatures between 15°C and 27°C. Be prepared however for cooler days and especially cold nights in the higher peaks.
Daily physical activity: Varies during the expedition but between 6 to 8 hours of daily activity.
Walk: 14 to 21 km per day.
Ground: Laurissilva forest, uneven terrain, mountain paths, sometimes muddy. Crossing some relatively short tunnels, in which you will have to use a torch or headlamp. Mountain sections with very steep slopes.
- No previous experience is necessary to participate in this expedition, however good physical fitness is required.
Mobile phone and internet coverage will be intermittent, depending on where we are. Getting signal in some mountain passes and forest is quite unlikely, however it will be possible to access mobile phone network on all days of the expedition, if only for short periods of time.
Yes. As long as you meet the physical fitness requirements, have an adventurous spirit and a desire to learn about Madeira Island and its ecosystems, you won’t have any problems.
This trek is within the reach of anyone with an active and healthy life and good physical condition. Participants should expect to walk for about 8 hours a day at a slow and easy pace. The slopes are steep and may create difficulties for those who do not lead an active lifestyle.
No. The pace will always be adjusted according to the needs of the group and the physical condition of the participants, for the safety and well-being of all.
You can. We will have one day in Funchal to group and organize the team. But if you arrive after that day we will have to hire a private service for your transfer between the airport and the village of Porto da Cruz, at an extra cost of approx. 70 euros.
In Madeira Island the food is quite similar to continental Portugal, although with some traditional condiments of the island. Dinner times, on the days we stay overnight in hotels, are free, although usually the group gets together for dinner in a restaurant suggested by the expedition leader. On nights in camp, we have food and equipment so that we can cook together as a group. During the day there are small cafes or grocery stores in strategic places, on the links between trails, which allow the supply of food and water. It is usual to have vegetarian options although in a conditioned way.
In Madeira Island, although in a limited way, you will always find viable alternatives for a vegetarian diet.
We have given preference to small accommodations, in central locations in the villages where we will spend the night. In the Pico Ruivo shelter we will stay in dormitories and double rooms. There is a shared bathroom and hot water shower. The other hotels where we sleep have private bathrooms and double rooms. The camping nights will be spent in two-person tents and camping mattresses. You should bring your own sleeping bag.
Yes, provided they are over 16 years old and mentally prepared for the difficulties inherent to an expedition of this kind.
Not really. During the nights in camp the necessary material will be brought by auxiliary support means.
In the villages where we will stay overnight in small hotels, you will be able to charge your equipment and have access to electricity. The same may be possible at meal stops in cafes or restaurants. On camping nights there will be no access to electricity. In the mountain refuge access is limited. Overall the mobile phone network will be erratic – in some places there will be network, in others not so much. However, on every day of the expedition we will pass through places with cellular and 3G network, even if only for short periods.
Yes, as long as it is properly protected from humidity and the possibility of rain.