Wanderwoche

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

Depending on the arrival day, there is a set sequence of full-day or half-day hikes. For stays longer than one week, our local agency tries to schedule the hikes so that they do not take place on consecutive days.
For arrivals on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, you will participate in 4 full-day and 2 half-day hikes. Both half-day hikes take place on the same day (morning and afternoon, no need to return to the hotel in between).
For arrivals on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, you will participate in 5 full-day hikes.
For the full-day hike on Friday, you can choose between the two listed hikes and inform the tour guide after arrival.
Please note that some hikes involve up to 4.5 hours of pure walking time with ascents of up to 600 meters in altitude. Corresponding fitness, sure-footedness, and a head for heights are required. You do not need special equipment, but good hiking shoes, sun and rain protection, sufficient food, and a flashlight are recommended.
Subject to changes in execution days and hikes!
The detailed description of the individual hikes can be found below:
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Arrival Monday
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales, from 26.6.26 after reopening again 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
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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)
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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-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7)
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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-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales, from 26.6.26 after reopening again Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro/Ruivo & Achada do Teixeira (Hike 7)
Wednesday – Day at leisure
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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-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales, from 26.6.26 after reopening again 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)
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Arrival Saturday
Sunday – RABAÇAL: 25 SPRINGS AND RISCO WATERFALL (Hike 3)
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales, from 26.6.26 after reopening again 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)
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Arrival Sunday
Monday - Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Hike 1)
Tuesday – Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales, from 26.6.26 after reopening again 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)
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DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL HIKES:
Hike 1: Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde (Monday)
Through the UNESCO World Natural Heritage 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 level: easy/moderate, duration: approx. 5 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 12 km, type: Levada hike
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Hike 2: Levada + Poncha (Thursday) Halfday
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 taste the famous Poncha, a drink made from white rum, natural orange juice, and honey.
Distance: 4.5 km/duration: 2 hours/difficulty level: easy
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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 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 9 km, type: Levada hike, difficulty level: easy
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Hike 4: Levada da Serra do Faial (Thursday).
Another comfortable hike along a beautiful Levada in the vicinity of Funchal with views of the sea, mountains, and the city of Funchal. The hike begins in "Caminho do Pico do Infante" and ends in "Rochao". Duration: approx. 2.5 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 8 km, type: Levada hike, difficulty level: easy
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Hike 5: Ribeiro Frio/Portela! (Friday).
Levada hike through pristine nature with magnificent views over narrow gorges and valleys with "Penha D' Aguia" in the background. Duration: approx. 4 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 10 km, type: Levada hike, difficulty level: easy-moderate
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Hike 6: Prazeres/P. Pargo (Saturday).
In Prazeres, we begin this magnificent hike between the sea and mountain landscape along endless winding paths through valleys and over hills with magnificent views of the fishing village "Paúl do Mar". We continue along "Raposeira", "Faja da Ovelha" to the extreme western cape "Ponta do Pargo". Duration: approx. 4.5 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 12 km, type: Levada hike, difficulty level: easy
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Hike 7: Pico Cedro-Pico do Arieiro-Ninho da Manta-Ribeira das Cales (Hike 7).
This demanding hike leads to 3 mountains over 1,700 m high (Pico do Cedro, Curral Martinho, and Pico do Arieiro). There are numerous breathtaking panoramas to admire. Difficulty level: difficult, duration: approx. 4.5 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 12.5 km, altitude difference: ↑ 440 m/↓ 930 m.
From 26.6.26 this hike will be replaced by: 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 1,818 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 of the island, the 1,862 m high Pico Ruivo, takes about three hours. If the weather plays along, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Madeira, the neighboring island of Porto Santo, and the uninhabited Desertas.
Please note for this hike that fog, rain, and wind can occur, and good fitness/hiking experience is required.
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Hike 8: Ponta de São Lourenco (East Point) – (Friday)
The hike over Ponta de São Lourenco is one of the classic hiking tours on Madeira. Bathed by the blue Atlantic, it goes at times over stony rocks, through sparse vegetation, but always accompanied by a magnificent play of colors of 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 town, to Santa Cruz and the Desertas.
Duration: approx. 3.5 hours (plus transfer time), length: approx. 11 km, difficulty level: moderate/difficult, altitude difference: ↑ 200 m/↓ 200 m.
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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 the code FNC999, or FNC997 for FNC135 (requirement H) in addition to a hotel stay of at least 1 week in the region of Funchal, Canico/Canico de Baixo or in the hotels FNC011, FNC012, FNC135, FNC154.
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Please note: from October 1, 2024, the municipality of Funchal will levy a tourist tax of €2 per person (maximum 7 nights; children up to 12 years free). Payment is made locally at the hotel.
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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 under "Pagamento de Taxas para acesso aos Percursos Pedestres Classificados-SIMplifica", payable to the tour guide, who forwards 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
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An extension stay can optionally take place either in the already booked hotel or in another hotel on Madeira. The intermediate transfer from your hotel to the extension hotel must generally be organized by yourself.
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The sequence of the hikes can be found under the heading "Facilities". No minimum number of participants, guaranteed execution (weather-dependent). Subject to changes to the excursions. For stays of more than one week, our local agency tries to schedule the hikes so that they do not take place on consecutive days.
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Pick-up takes place at the hotel or at a meeting point near the hotel.
Please note that depending on the location, longer transfer times may occur, as guests are also picked up at intermediate stops.
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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 FOOTWEAR/WEATHERPROOF CLOTHING RECOMMENDED. SUBJECT TO CHANGES TO THE EXCURSIONS!
In the catalogue "Canaries · Madeira" Summer 2026 on page 209.