Madeira - Trailblaze
📍 Madeira, Portugal | 🥾 3 Days of Hiking | 🏡 Villa with a swimming pool | 🚐 Local Transport Provided | 🗺️ Guided Hikes
Description:
Hit the trails and conquer Madeira's breathtaking landscapes on a 5-day hiking adventure! 🥾Get ready to climb above the clouds on the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo trek 🏔️, get lost in the magical Laurissilva forest🌲, and follow the ancient levadas past waterfalls and lush greenery 💧. Finish your journey exploring the dramatic cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço 🌊. Lace up your boots—this is your chance to be a true Madeira trailblazer! ✨
To complement our hiking schedule, your trip includes a certified Pilates instructor who will lead sessions designed for hikers. These classes will focus on stretching, core strength, and recovery, helping to improve flexibility, prevent soreness, and ensure you're ready for the next day's challenge.
Accommodation:
This isn't just a place to sleep; it's your personal sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Our accommodation is an exclusive, private villa situated directly on the ocean's edge. Wake up each morning to a breathtaking sunrise painting the sky over the Atlantic. The sound of the waves will be your daily soundtrack, creating a profound sense of peace.
Take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures while watching the sunset.
Bedrooms: 8 (Shared & Private)
Bathrooms: 6
Kitchen: 4
Living Room: 4
Other: Outside BBQ Zone, Swimming Pool
Package:
What’s included?
✅ 5 Days of Accommodation – Stay in a private villa on the edge of the ocean, with our own swimming pool.
✅ 3 Days of Hiking – Discover stunning Madeira landscapes, panoramic peaks, and iconic waterfalls
✅ Transport – All necessary transport during the trip is included.
✅ Experienced Guide – A knowledgeable and friendly guide will lead the way.
✅ Pilates sessions - On this trip, we will be joined by Robyn Moves, a certified pilates instructor!
What’s not included?
❌ Flights - You can take any flight as long as they match our pickup and drop-off times.
❌ Travel Insurance - mandatory for the whole duration of the trip.
❌ Food and drinks - you will have access to a fully equipped kitchen (we visit shops daily), or you can try the local restaurants!
❌ Local attractions - gokarting, kayaking, snorkelling
Getting There
We take care of all the transport in the country of destination (from and to the airport, as well as all the local transport), and you are free to choose your own way of getting to the meeting point, but please ensure your arrival and departure times match our pickup and drop-off schedule. This allows us to ensure a smooth transfer for the entire group.
Flights we recommend:
Outbound: easyJet
London Gatwick (LGW) - Madeira Airport (FNC)
07:00 - 10:55
Inbound: easyJet
Madeira Airport (FNC) - London Gatwick (LGW)
12:45 - 16:30
Pick up/Drop off
Where do we meet?
As our Villa is a 10-minute drive from the Madeira Airport (FNC), we can facilitate multiple pickups per day. One of our guides will meet you outside the Airport terminal.
Where do we drop you off?
The last planned drop-off at the Madeira Airport (FNC) will be around 11:00.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Madeira - Arrival & Evening at the Villa
Your adventure begins as you fly from the UK and touch down at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, famed for its remarkable runway, and make your way to your accommodation, our beautiful seaside villa, feeling the gentle shift in climate as the warm, floral-scented air greets you. We will visit one of the local supermarkets, so you can make the necessary groceries.
Spend the afternoon unwinding by the pool 🏊, letting the stresses of travel melt away. For your first evening, find a nearby restaurant to savour fresh local seafood and a glass of crisp Vinho Verde 🍷, fully acclimatising to island time.
Day 2: Hiking to Pico Ruivo
Today is the ultimate challenge: the spectacular hike to Pico Ruivo, the island's highest summit at 1,862m. This is Madeira's most famous hike for a reason. You'll navigate a path carved directly into the volcanic rock, ascending and descending steep stairways and passing through tunnels. On a clear day, you hike above a sea of clouds with endless views.
Length: 18 KM | Elevation gain: 1200m | Time: 8h
We will spend the evening back at the villa, which will be all about stretching out, good food, and sharing highlights from an unforgettable day.
Day 3: Hike to Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde. This iconic walk takes you into the very heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Laurisilva forest, a rare subtropical laurel forest that feels prehistoric. The trail is a relatively flat path that follows the winding course of a levada.
Length: 16 KM | Elevation gain: 900m | Time: 8h
Listen to the constant trickle of water and birdsong as you walk under a dense canopy. Remember to bring a torch 🔦 for the dark, dripping tunnels you'll pass through. The hike culminates at the magnificent Caldeirão Verde, where a waterfall plummets into an icy, emerald pool. We’ll round off the day with a BBQ and some poolside time.
Day 4: Sunrise and Hike Vereda do Areeiro
Today begins before dawn with a short drive to the incredible Miradouro do Juncal viewpoint. Witness a truly magical sunrise as light paints the clouds and rugged peaks. After soaking in the spectacle, you'll hike a section of the magnificent Vereda do Areeiro, experiencing its breathtaking cliff-side paths.
Length: 14 KM | Elevation gain: 800m | Time: 6h
In the afternoon, return to your villa for a restorative Pilates session 🧘♀️. Refreshed, the evening is for celebration! Head to a local restaurant for a delicious dinner, followed by a party with a few well-earned drinks to toast the day's adventure!
Day 5: Final day and Departure
On your final day, start with a restorative morning Pilates session to stretch out your muscles before the journey home, then allow yourself a slow and peaceful morning to absorb the last of the island's charm. Savour a leisurely breakfast on a sunlit patio, enjoying a final bica (espresso) and a pastel de nata ☕.
Perhaps take a final walk along a nearby promenade or visit a local market to pick up some Madeira wine to take home. Reflect on the incredible trails you've conquered before making the scenic drive to the airport for your afternoon flight back to the UK, your mind filled with epic memories. ❤️
