Distance: 12km

Duration: 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

Desirability: This is the hike that made us truly fall in love with Madeira! 100% recommend. Porto da Cruz makes for a very nice post-hike refreshment spot. 

Description: We did this one with a guide whilst on a yoga retreat.  It's a linear walk so you need to plan your transport carefully.  If your budget allows we recommend using Bolt, sometimes work out not too much dearer than public transport.  The walk starts along a levada before heading deep into the mountains.  Its not long until you reach a plateau which offers unobstructed views of the ocean.  The trail then hugs the coast with some small inclines and declines, often passing waterfalls, streams and endless lush flora and fauna. 

The last past of the walk takes you along a levada again followed by some steep stairs and further decline down into Porto da Cruz.  

What we wore

Hiking boots, 3/4 length hiking trousers, technical t-shirts, sun cream.  We started wearing our waterproof jackets but very quickly became too hot and didnt need them again for the rest of the walk.  There are parts of the hike where you are covered by the shade from the mountain.

What we ate

Mid-morning snack was a banana and some cashews.  For lunch we had a delicious vegan burrito prepared for us by our chef at the yoga retreat.  Whilst there were plenty food options at Porto da Cruz we opted for a coffee and a beer.

How we felt

Absolute stunner of a walk which totally lived up to all the images we'd seen online before travelling to Madeira.  Didn't stop smiling for the whole day!