Weekly
Departures - £150 per person (to be added to the basic cost of your holiday, based on your choice of accommodation)
Walking in Madeira is a truly unique experience as the stunning views, exotic flora
and clear mountain air are all enjoyed whilst following the 2,500 kilometres of
levadas, the 15th century irrigation channels carved from the hillsides which have
given Madeira the landscape she has today. It is only on foot in the company of a
knowledgeable guide that you can witness and appreciate the true wonder and
diversity of the island.
Our walking programme is designed for you to enjoy the countryside at a
leisurely pace rather than to purely test your stamina. Anyone with a reasonable
degree of fitness is welcome to join and we hope that both the novice and the
regular walker will find the experience both rewarding and enjoyable.
The group size is limited to 15, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking
guide and there are 4 walks ranging between 2 and 5 hours in duration.
Participants can choose to stay at any of our accommodation in the Funchal area
from where they will be collected and returned and refreshments and picnic
lunches are provided.
Our weekly walking tours include levada, mountain and ridge walks designed to appeal to both beginners and experienced walkers and to introduce you to the stunning landscapes of Madeira at a relatively leisurely pace.
The tours may be booked by Cachet Travel guests staying in Funchal or Caniço and you will be collected from your accommodation at approximately
08:30 each day and returned at the end of the walk.
This year we are offering three different itineraries. Each includes four walking days (Wednesday to Saturday), with Tuesdays and Sundays kept free for you to enjoy at leisure. Although guests on a two week holiday may elect to take some walks in the first week of their stay and others in the second we regret that we are unable to mix the two itineraries. We must be advised of your exact requirements at the time of booking. Single day walks or any additional days may be booked in resort subject of course to availability.
What to expect and what to bring?
The itineraries are detailed below and the grading (1 - 4 in ascending order of difficulty), distance and approximate duration of each day's walk is shown. The maximum group size is 15 and each is accompanied by an experienced English-speaking leader. From time to time local conditions may make it necessary to vary the itineraries slightly.
Please note that due to the island's mountainous terrain, some of the
walks may not be suitable for vertigo-sufferers.
We suggest that you bring comfortable walking shoes or boots with good ankle
support and a firm grip, a high factor sun lotion, a sunhat, a warm sweater, waterproof jacket and a day-pack.
What is included in the price?
• Transport from and to your accommodation
• A qualified English speaking guide
• Picnic lunches (vegetarian on request)
• 4 walks
Itinerary 1
Wednesday - Grade 2 - approximately 2 hours 30 minutes walking - 6 kilometres
You will explore deep down in Machico's valley, known as the the Mimosa
Valley, along the well maintained Levada dos Marocos with splendid
views of the town and bay of Machio.
Thursday - Grade 2 - approximately 4 hours walking - 10.5 kilometres
The "25 fountains" levada and mountain walk starting at the Rabaçal Pousada and then along the "Old
Levada" to the Risco waterfalls. After a 20 minute descent from
here, you reach a small lake at the foot of a towering cliff where 25 natural springs cascade into the lake. The walk continues to the south of the island passing through an 850-metre tunnel. Some
of the paths on this route are quite narrow.
Friday - Grade 2 - approximately 4 hours 30 minutes walking - 12.5 kilometres
A walk along the Levada do Rei and through the rain forest near São Jorge in the north of the island. This passes though some of the lushest parts of the island with a profusion of herbs and medicinal plants. There
is a slight possibility of vertigo along some parts of the walk.
Saturday - Grade 3 - approximately 4 hours walking time - 10 kilometres
A ridge walk along St Lawrence Cape (Baia D'Abra) through an arid wilderness landscape where you will find unique flora such as the ice plant. You can enjoy dazzling seascapes and swim in the crystal waters of the Atlantic. There
is a possibility of vertigo along this walk, and some mild scrambling
may be required.
Itinerary 2
Wednesday - Grade 2 - approximately 4 hours 30 minutes walking - 11
kilometres.
This levada walk starts at Ribeiro Frio and ends at Portela. One of the
best known levada walks winding through the Laurisilva Forest, protected
by the World Hertiage Founation. There are some superb views of Porto da
Cruz and Eagle Rock and the wild flowers of Springtime. Paths can be
narrow in places, but the narrowest part of the walk have handrails.
Path is level except for a descent of approximately 40 minutes at the
end of the walk. The path can sometimes b e slippery, so shoes with a
good grip are
essential.
Thursday - Grade 2 - approximately 4 hours walking - 10.5 kilometres
The "25 fountains" levada and mountain walk starting at the Rabaçal Pousada and then along the "Old
Levada" to the Risco waterfalls. After a 20 minute descent from
here, you reach a small lake at the foot of a towering cliff where 25 natural springs cascade into the lake. The walk continues to the south of the island passing through an 850-metre tunnel. Some
of teh paths on this route are quite narrow.
Friday - Grade 2 - approximately 4 hours walking - 10 kilometres
The walk begins at Pico das Pedras and goes on to goes to Queimadas with superb views of the villages below. You cross a bridge in front of a waterfall before descending through the pastures to
Ilha, a steep descent of 1 hour 20 minutes (subject to weather
conditions; if the path is wet you will return to Queimadas). The path
is narrow in parts, but well fenced. Along certain sections you may
experience some vertigo, and the route does pass through two short
tunnels.
Saturday - Grade 3 - approximately 4 hours walking time - 10 kilometres
A ridge walk along St Lawrence Cape (Baia D'Abra) through an arid wilderness landscape where you will find unique flora such as the ice plant. You can enjoy dazzling seascapes and swim in the crystal waters of the Atlantic. There
is a possibility of vertigo along this walk, and some mild scrambling
may be required.
Itinerary 3
Wednesday - Grade 4 - approximately 4 hours 30 minutes walking - 11 kilometres
This mountain and ridge walk from Pico Areiro past spectacular rock formations
to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on the island.
It continues through the world's oldest heather forest to Achada
do Teixeira. This is the most challenging of all the walks, but on a
clear day the views are truly breathtaking. There are steep descents and
much of the terraine is quite rough, so good hiking boats are essential.
Thursday - Grade 3 - approximately 4 hours 30 minutes walking - 11 kilometres
A very special walk penetrating deep into the valleys of the western plateau where the lakes, rockpools and waterfalls have been carved over the centuries. The terrain varies between flat
levadas, mountain climbs, unmarked forest trails and 15 minute scramble up to the oldest levada in the west.
Friday - Grade 2 - approximately 4 hours walking - 10 kilometres
The walk begins at Pico das Pedras and goes on to goes to Queimadas with superb views of the villages below. You cross a bridge in front of a waterfall before descending through the pastures to
Ilha, a steep descent of 1 hour 20 minutes (subject to weather
conditions; if the path is wet you will return to Queimadas). The path
is narrow in parts, but well fenced. Along certain sections you may
experience some vertigo, and the route does pass through two short
tunnels.
Saturday - Grade 4 - approximately 4 hours 30 minutes walking - 11 kilometres
This mountain walk from Boca da Corrida follows the ancient trails
leading to the Nun's Valley, Sao Vicente and the north west of the
island. En route there are glorious views of the mountain peaks, Curral
das Freiras, Sao Vicente and Ribeira Brava.
|
