Wanderwoche

Get to know Madeira during 5 guided hikes.
Accommodation is provided for all options in a hotel of your choice. In the 2026 summer season in the Funchal, Canico/Canico de Baixo region, or at the hotels Calheta Beach (FNC012), Enotel Sunset Bay (FNC011), Saccharum (FNC154), and Quinta Alegre (FNC135). From winter 26/27 onwards, only in the hotels in the Funchal and Canico/Canico de Baixo region. The hotels in the west of the island can then be combined with code FNC998 (Hiking Week West).

Depending on the day of arrival, there is a set order for the full-day or half-day hikes. For stays longer than one week, our local agency will attempt to schedule the hikes so that they do not take place on consecutive days.
For arrivals on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, you will take part in 4 full-day and 2 half-day hikes. The two half-day hikes take place on the same day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon; you do not need to return to the hotel in between).
For arrivals on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, you will take part in 5 full-day hikes.
For the full-day hike on Friday, you can choose between the two listed hikes and inform your tour guide of your choice after arrival.
Please note that some hikes involve up to 4:30 hours of pure walking time with ascents of up to 600 meters. A corresponding level of fitness, sure-footedness, and freedom from vertigo are required. You do not need special equipment, but you do need good hiking boots, sun and rain protection, sufficient food/provisions, and a flashlight.
We reserve the right to change the days of execution and the hikes themselves!
A detailed description of the individual hikes can be found below:
*****************************************************************************
Arrival Monday
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
Wednesday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Thursday - In the morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + in the afternoon Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – Day at leisure
**********************************
Arrival Tuesday
Wednesday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Thursday - In the morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + in the afternoon Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – Day at leisure
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
**************************************
Arrival Wednesday
Thursday - Day at leisure
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
**************************************
Arrival Thursday
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
**********************************************
Arrival Friday
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
Thursday - In the morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + in the afternoon Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
***********************************************
Arrival Saturday
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
Thursday - In the morning: Levada da Serra do Faial (Hike 4) + in the afternoon Levada + Poncha (Hike 2)
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) (Hike 8)
**********************************************
Arrival Sunday
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
Wednesday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Thursday - Day at leisure
Friday – Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Hike 5) or Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) (Hike 8)
Saturday – Prazeres/P. Pargo (Hike 6)
************************************************************************************************
DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL HIKES:
Hike 1: Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Monday)
Through the UNESCO World Heritage site into the green cauldron. One of the most spectacular levada hikes on the island of Madeira. Impressive gorges and a waterfall characterize this hike. A visit to the Queimadas Natural Park is included.
Difficulty: easy/moderate, Duration: approx. 5 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 12 km, Type: levada hike
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 2: Levada + Poncha (Thursday) Half-day
Thursday – Afternoon (14:30 – 18:00)
Quiet route through the eastern part of the island along a levada. Along the entire route, you will enjoy panoramic views that highlight the volcanic origin of the island.
At the end of the route, you will try the well-known Poncha, a drink made from white rum, natural orange juice, and honey.
Distance: 4.5 km / Duration: 2 hours / Difficulty: easy
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 3: RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Wednesday/Sunday)
Through the impressive laurel forest, this hike leads along an old levada to the two highlights of Rabaçal: the 25 Springs and the Risco Waterfall.
Duration: approx. 3.15 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 9 km, Type: levada hike, Difficulty: easy
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 4: Levada da Serra do Faial (Thursday).
Another comfortable hike along a beautiful levada near Funchal with views of the sea, mountains, and the city of Funchal. The hike starts at "Caminho do Pico do Infante" and ends at "Rochao". Duration: approx. 2.5 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 8 km, Type: levada hike, Difficulty: easy
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 5: Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Friday).
Levada hike through unspoiled nature with magnificent views over narrow gorges and valleys with "Penha D' Aguia" in the background. Duration: approx. 4 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 10 km, Type: levada hike, Difficulty: easy-moderate
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 6: Prazeres/P. Pargo (Saturday).
In Prazeres, we begin this magnificent hike between the sea and mountain landscape via never-ending winding paths through valleys and over hills with great views of the fishing village "Paúl do Mar". The route continues along "Raposeira" and "Faja da Ovelha" to the extreme western cape "Ponta do Pargo". Duration: approx. 4.5 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 12 km, Type: levada hike, Difficulty: easy
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 7: Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira – (Tuesday). Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7).
Madeira's second-highest peak, the 1818 m high Pico do Arieiro, can still be reached by bus. The road ends there. Those who want to go higher have the option to set off on foot. This demanding hike from Pico do Arieiro to the highest point on the island, the 1862 m high Pico Ruivo, takes about three hours. If the weather is good, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over Madeira, the neighboring island of Porto Santo, and the uninhabited Desertas. There are numerous breathtaking panoramas to marvel at. Difficulty: moderate/hard, hard, Duration: approx. 4.5 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 10 km / 12.5 km, altitude difference: ↑ 550 m / 440 m / ↓ 700 m / 930 m.
Please note that for this hike, fog, rain, and wind can occur, and good fitness/hiking experience is required.
**************************************************************************************************
Hike 8: Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) – (Friday)
The hike over the Ponta de São Lourenco is one of the classic hiking tours on Madeira. Bathed by the blue Atlantic, the path leads at times over stony rocks, through sparse vegetation, but always accompanied by a magnificent interplay of colors from bizarre rock formations. In clear weather, the view extends to the island of Porto Santo in the north, and in the south over Canical, the old whaling village, to Santa Cruz and the Desertas.
Duration: approx. 3.5 hrs (plus transfer time), Length: approx. 11 km, Difficulty: moderate/hard, altitude difference: ↑ 200 m / ↓ 200 m.
**************************************************************************

IT-Note: The hiking week can be selected as an optional additional service when booking hotels in Funchal or Canico, or you can book the excursion package separately with code FNC999, or FNC997 for the FNC135 (Request H) to a minimum 1-week hotel stay in the Funchal, Canico/Canico de Baixo region or at the hotels FNC011, FNC012, FNC135, FNC154.
****************************************
Please note: from 1.10.24, the municipality of Funchal will levy a tourist tax of €2 per person (maximum 7 nights; children up to 12 years old free). Payment is made on-site at the hotel.
****************************
Included in the price:
• Transfer from the hotel to the hiking excursion and back.
• German-speaking excursion guide
• Guaranteed execution of the hike (no minimum number of participants)
Not included in the price:
• Fee for hiking trails: €4.50 per person/hiking trail or €10.50 per person (for the Vereda do Areeiro), viewable at Pagamento de Taxas para acesso aos Percursos Pedestres Classificados-SIMplifica, payable to the tour guide, who will forward the fee to the regional authority IFCN, which is responsible for the management of the hiking trails on the island. Valid from 1.1.2026, changes are possible.)
• Drinks and meals
• Overnight stays in your desired hotel
• Personal expenses
********************************************************************
An extension stay can optionally take place either in the hotel already booked or in another hotel on Madeira. The intermediate transfer from your hotel to the extension hotel must generally be carried out independently.
********************************************************************
The order of the hikes can be found under the "Facilities" section. No minimum number of participants, guaranteed execution (weather-dependent). We reserve the right to change the excursions. For stays of more than one week, our local agency will attempt to schedule the hikes so that they do not take place on consecutive days.
********************************************************************
Pick-up takes place at the hotel or at a meeting point near the hotel.
Please note that there may be longer transfer times depending on the location, as guests are also picked up at intermediate stops.
********************************************************************
For the hikes, a hotel in Funchal, Canico, or one of the following hotels must be booked: FNC011, FNC012, FNC135, FNC154.

INCL. 5 GUIDED HIKES ACCORDING TO PROGRAM + TRANSFERS. STURDY SHOES/WEATHERPROOF CLOTHING RECOMMENDED. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE EXCURSIONS!
In the catalog "Canaries · Madeira" Summer 2026 on page 209.