ARRIVAL IN MADEIRA 
You will be met at Funchal airport and taken to your hotel in Machico, a small town with a protected bay where Portuguese sailors landed in 1419. Transfer by taxi or minibus (10 min).  Night + breakfast in a small family hotel in Machico.

PICO DO FACHO - CANIÇAL - POINTE DE SAO LOURENÇO - MACHICO
A first day of acclimatisation to discover the eastern tip of the island. In the morning, set off on foot eastwards to Pico do Facho, overlooking Machico, from where fires were once lit to warn the inhabitants of approaching pirates. The path then descends to the port of Caniçal, where a museum reminds us that sperm whales were once hunted here. Here you can enjoy a meal. Short journey by public bus (10 mins) to Baïa d'Abra (this bus journey is unavoidable when crossing a free port zone). In the afternoon, hike to the end of the island to the rocky, narrow and desolate tip of São Lourenço, in stark contrast to the rest of the island's landscape (entrance fee: €1). The multicoloured volcanic rocks here are exposed in cliffs gnawed by the waves. This area is a Natura 2000 reserve. At the heart of the reserve, the warden's house is located in an oasis, close to which is a cove with a "portinho" (a place to moor a boat) ideal for swimming (crystal-clear water in an area protected from the swell). On the way back, at -Prainha-, you can enjoy a swim on one of the island's few black sand beaches, with a refreshment area and toilets. Return public bus from Baia d'Abra to Machico (30 min). Night + breakfast in a small family-run hotel in Machico. 
5 h walk / 13.5km / Elevation: +/- 730m

MACHICO - BOCA DO RISCO - NORD COAST PATH - PORTO DA CRUZ
From Machico, there is a short climb up to the Levada do Caniçal, which runs into the Ribeira Seca. Climb up to the Boca do Risco pass, where there is a magnificent panoramic view of the north coast, the tip of São Lourenço and the island of Porto Santo in the distance. An incredible coastal path cut into the cliffs and overhanging the sea by more than 200 m leads to Porto da Cruz, passing through the farming hamlet of Larano. The small coastal village of Porto da Cruz, in the north-east of the island, offers a municipal seawater swimming pool in summer (entrance €1.50 with sanitary facilities), while the rest of the year, a few surfers take to the waves at the foot of the cliffs. This is also where you'll find one of the island's two traditional rum factories, which we recommend you visit (free) and sample the puncha (for a fee). Overnight half-board in a ** hotel in Porto da Cruz.
4.5 h walk / 17km / Elevation: +/- 580m

PORTO DA CRUZ - PORTELA - LEVADA DO FURADO - REIBEIRO FRIO
Climb through narrow streets and cobbled paths to the Portela pass, 600 m above sea level. A good path starts here, bordering the Levada do Furado, which flows swiftly and clearly eastwards, and which you will follow upstream. The views from this route are increasingly sumptuous. The high peaks of the island are opposite and the path, which is wide at first, becomes narrower and then runs alongside deep ravines. Well-protected by tree heathers and a few fences, the path penetrates the UNESCO World Heritage laurisilva with a touch of adventure. Arrive at Ribeiro Frio, where a short round trip to Balcœs offers an extraordinary balcony overlooking the Faja de Nogueiras and the island's great peaks. Back in Ribeiro Frio, visit the forest park and the aquaculture station, whose main purpose is to produce trout for restocking the levadas on Madeira Island. In the late afternoon, transfer back to Porto da Cruz (30 min). Overnight half-board in a hotel** in Porto da Cruz. 
6 h walk / 18.5km / Elevation: + 900m - 875m

TRAVERSÉE DES CRÊTES / PICO DO ARIEIRO - PICO RUIVO - ENCUMEADA
Morning transfer by taxi or private minibus to Pico do Arieiro (45 mins), or on request to Achada do Texeira (35 mins). Discover the island's most beautiful peaks, from Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m, the island's highest point) via the Miradouro Ninho da Manta (1,798 m). Steps and paths cut into the rock, galleries and tunnels! A magical journey along the sharp, multi-coloured ridges that often emerge from the sea of clouds. Arrive at Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) before setting off on the long ridge that bisects Madeira from east to west as far as Encumeada (1,000 m), at the gateway to the Paul da Serra plateau. The trail wanders along a ridge line, between passes and peaks, passing Pico das Eirinhas (1,649 m), Pico Casado (1,725 m), Pico Jorge (1,691 m) and finally the Col das Torrinhas (1,400 m). Overnight half-board in a three-star hotel in Encumeada.
7 h walk / 19km / Difference in altitude: + 1060m -1860m

Variant: This walk can be shortened by a morning transfer to Achada do Teixeira (instead of Pico do Arieiro). You then begin a short ascent to Pico Ruivo. The route to Encumeada is the same as above.
6 h walk / 14km / + 560m - 920m

LEVADAS DA SERRA AND DO NORTE
In the morning, a short minibus transfer (10 minutes) organised by your hotelier. Drive along one of Madeira's most charming levadas, the levada da Serra, which clings to the slopes of the Paul da Serra plateau and offers sumptuous views of the Ribeira de São Vicente on the island's north coast. The return to Encumeada is via the Levada do Norte, alternating between tunnels and wild areas in the heart of the laurel forest. Overnight half-board in a three-star hotel in Encumeada.
5.5 h walk / 14.5km / Elevation: + 225m - 660m

BOCA DA CORRIDA - PICO GRANDE - CURRAL DAS FREIRAS - FUNCHAL
In the morning, taxi or minibus (45 mins) from the Hotel Encumeada to the Boca da Corrida pass. Hike towards Pico Grande along a balcony path over the Ribeira Brava to the Boca do Cerro pass. Descent along a steep path into the Curral das Freiras caldera, home to fruit trees and nestled in a mountain cirque. Bus to Funchal and accommodation in a hotel in the city centre. At the end of the hike, public bus (1 h) from Colmeal to Funchal. Night + breakfast in a *** hotel in Funchal.
3 h walk / 7.3km / Elevation: + 190m - 790m 

Variant: From Boca do Cerro, you can climb the Pico Grande (1,654 m) and back. This summit offers an incomparable panorama of the island and the entire Picos range. An alpine route with a handrail to the summit.
4 hrs 30 mins / 9km / Elevation: + 525m - 1100m

FUNCHAL 
Free day in Funchal, with a choice of: discovering the market, strolling through the old town centre and its narrow streets, discovering wine cellars and tasting the 4 varieties of Madeira wine, visiting gardens (botanical, tropical, municipal, etc.), the marina, the Monte cable car, descending in -carros- the large wicker baskets that used to be used as a means of transport down the island's slopes! Night + breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Funchal.

Option: It is also possible to do another hike on the heights of the bay of Funchal:
- between Monte and the Botanical Gardens (5.8 km, 1 hr 40 mins, ascent 160 m, descent 430 m)
- or between Camacha and Monte (13.8 km, 3 h 45, ascent 180 m, descent 330 m).
These walks are accessible by public bus.

Optional: 3-hour trip on a catamaran sailing boat to see the cetaceans and the coastal cliffs of Cabo Girão.

END OF STAY IN FUNCHAL
Departure from the island: taxi or minibus to the airport according to your flight schedule (20 minutes).

The programme has been drawn up according to the latest information available at the time of writing; imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the programme.