Hiking Trip Abroad - Island of Madeira

Back by (popular?) demand! A week away to 'Hawaii of Europe', 'Hiker's paradise', Madeira. Putting it up this early to gauge interest. THEREFORE the start and end date may be subject to change due to flights not being readily available yet. The aim is to be there around this time for their carnival festivites with looking at the 1st of March for their Main Carnival parade.

See photos from our last trip to the island here.

Come do as many of the hikes as you wish - there is no requirement to do them all. Please read the warnings before signing up.

Warning - Fear of Heights/Vertigo

For those that have a fear of heights or from vertigo; I would strongly recommend not doing some of the routes. Do your own research for each route. Many of Madeira's paths follow alongside levada's, along the mountain side. The only thing between you and a drop are railings that are good to help keep your balance and they therefore create a false sense of security. PR1 for example has short parts where the railing is on both sides of the path. Meaning, the drop is on both sides.

To try put it into perspective, if you have ever been scared or dizzy while out hiking in the UK, Madeira's mountains are all much higher than Ben Nevis.

Warning - Temperature/Climate

Madeira is in many ways similar to Great Britain & Ireland. The weather can change suddenly. Plus, the temperature down by the sea could be 20C but I can assure you it can be a lot colder at the top of the mountains. Always bring clothing to stay warm, you will not need it 95+% of the time but there will be times that you will.

Warning - Clostrophobia.

For anyone who suffers with this, some of Madeira's routes are rather clostrophobic, PR17 follows a levada that goes through two long, pitch-black tunnels, where there is not much room between the wall, the levada and you may need to duck to avoid banging your head.

Driving

For anyone willing to drive, make sure you hire an automatic. I got a manual last time and I coped okay but definitely wish I had an automatic. Madeira's roads are endlessly windy, steep and many can be narrow, with parked cars and pedestrians walking at the side (there's no pavement). Locals will get right up behind you almost bumper to bumper. Move over for them, they are used to the roads and can go faster than you.

If worried about driving for long periods getting anywhere only took roughly an hour tops.

Lastly, do not follow Google Maps blindly. Try to stick to major roads as much as you can, otherwise you could end up on a road that... well... you may end up in a tight spot or descending down a road that almost feels vertical.

Itinerary (Subject to change while there)

Day 1 - Land in Funchal Airport. I will be hiring a car as it is the best way to explore Madeira and makes life a lot easier to get to the start point of walks. Happy to give two others a lift (from the airport - can take three for walks) (I will prioritise people who cannot drive though). Therefore some others will need to drive also.

Then we head to our accomodation (I will look to book somewhere once enough people have confirmed they will come).

Day 2 - Hike #1 - Start the week off with a moderate, spectacular waterfall walk. Risco Waterfall and 25 Fontes Falls Trail. It follows Levadas to numerous waterfalls. Following route PR6 to 25 Fontes and then following PR6.1 to Risco Waterfall. Be aware that there is a long windy road to descend down from the car park. Must walk back up this at the end or get the small bus that takes people up & down.

Day 3 - Hike #2 - The only day we will get up early is for this hike. We will drive to the top of Pico Arrerio (3rd highest mountain) to watch the sunrise. We then hike the PR1 route around the 2nd highest mountain to Pico Ruivo (1st highest mountain) and back again.

Day 4 - Hike #3 - Drive to and park at Baia D'Abra for a coastal walk along Maderia's most eastern desert-like penisula. Following the PR8 route along the Dragon's Back peninsula. We will then get a boat that takes us to look at the peninsula's geology before it takes us back to a new resort near to where we parked.

Day 5 - Rest Day - Visit Funchal, definitely recommend going up the chairlift and walking around the botanical gardens.

Day 6 - Hike #4 - PR17 - people's favourite hike last time we went. It has everything! Waterfalls, stunning views, woodland & tunnels.

Day 7 - Will depend on how everyone's legs feel. Would like to do Pico Grande but it would be a tough one. Otherwise will come up with a backup easier hike or what we did last time was drive around to different stunning viewpoints. If selected dates stay, we will watch the parade in Funchal.

Day 8 - Back to the airport and fly home!

Disclaimers

As always, you are responsible for your own safety etc...