Levada Trails

Unforgettable Walking week in Madeira

Dramatic Northern Coast
Starting in the east, we plan a walk on the Sao Lourenço peninsula along a spectacular cliff path. We'll see many vineyards, and perhaps later try the famous Madeira wine. From Sao Jorge we take a path winding through forests above the coast from Pico das Pedras to Ilha. Then it's a dramatic drive along the northern coast to the rock pools of Porto Moniz. The road is squeezed between the Atlantic and the mountains, with waterfalls tumbling over the cliffs, and the occasional wave breaking over it!

Traditional Levadas
Next we head for Madeira's southern slopes and begin our explorations of the levadas - an ingenious open irrigation system originally built by the first settlers to water their sugar and banana plantations. The levadas follow the natural contours of the land, and we trail these silvery channels on the high moors where goats roam among the gorse and bilberries. Based at Ribeira Brava our next walk takes us down from the island's highest pass and reveals a remarkable panorama of towering peaks and lush valleys.

Rocky Peaks & Funchal
On our final day of walking, we crown the week with the spectacular 'balcony walk' to Pico Ruivo - Madeira's highest peak (1862m). We then head to Funchal where there is time to explore the harbour and tree-lined avenues, or visit the botanical gardens at Monte. Alternatively, you can take a boat to Porto Santo with it's sandy beaches or do any one of several local walks.

Driving distances are short on this small island. Day walks are moderate and are planned to be within the capabilities of most people of average fitness.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
La Aldea - Canary village life with plenty of local character.
Caminos Reales - Scenic walking on ancient trails.
Viso Peak - Spectacular 360° view from one of the island’s higher points.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Join tour Las Palmas; drive to La Aldea (approx. 2 hrs)
Arriving in Las Palmas we transfer to our hotel in La Aldea, our home for the next 8 days.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H)

Day 2: Exploring the Andén Verde
We start the day with a short transfer on public bus to the heights of Andén Verde at 600m altitude. This introductory walk takes us up into the arid, semi-desert like world to the heart of Gran Canaria. The peaks afford us great panoramic views across the north coast, which on a clear day include the Punta de Sardina, Puerto de las Nieves village, from where the ferry boat to Tenerife leaves and the small town of Gáldar. Upon reaching the first mountain pass (850m), the green Tamadaba Forest spreads out in front of us while overlooking steep sided valleys. After a picnic lunch an the ancient Camino Real, we will start our 2 hour descent back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. (4.5h walking time, 10km, +150m/-600m).

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Walking from Pass to Pass into Mogån
Hopping on the local public bus, we drive a short distance to the start of today’s walk at the Aldea Pass (700m). From here we follow an old trail that in former days connected the villages of La Aldea, Tasarte and Veneguera. It is an undulating trail with one steep but short downhill section. On our left-hand side we enjoy the impressive walls of Los Azulejos, green layered rock sheets with the Inagua Forest at the top. When we reach the village church of Veneguara we take a short break for lunch before continuing our walk over the last pass that leads us into the Barranco de Mogán. Here there will be time for a coffee break while waiting for the public bus that will take us back to La Aldea. (4.5h walking time, 11km, +270m/-700m).

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Free day
Today has been left free to indulge yourself. You may wish to relax around the hotel today, enjoying the village life in La Aldea, or decide to go to its nearby unspoiled beach (5km). Maybe you want to visit the city of Gáldar and see the Cueva Pintada Museum to learn about aboriginal life on these islands. On your way back you may like to stop off for a dip in the ocean. Alternatively you might like to venture further a field, taking a local bus to the south coast, to explore the mighty sand dunes of Maspalomas and the Playa del Ingles. This is very much the lively end of the island with shops, beaches and even theme parks for those hankering for a little more ‘action’. The keen walkers have plenty of options as well today, a day trip by private coach can be organised along the three highlights of the island: Roque Nublo (1732m), Pico de las Nieves (1949m) and the cave dwellings at Acusa, at each site you will have the chance for 1-2h walk.

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Walk to Pino Gordo and Siberio Dam
We walk out of our village today, starting along a quiet road to Altenara where we meet with the ancient trail leading steeply up to a water channel connecting a reservoir lake with San Nicholás. Passing through a narrow gorge we continue up to an abandoned, once selfsupporting, settlement of “fincas”, the remains of a former tough lifestyle in the interior. A steep section leads us to the next pass where we can see the village of Artenara and the Roque Nublo (1732m) in the distance. It is one of the highest peaks on the island and one of its most famous landmarks due to its unique shape. After passing an almond tree orchard we will stop to enjoy our picnic lunch on a rock outcrop with a fantastic 360 degrees views of the island before descending into the next valley covered with Palm trees. Later we arrive at the dam of the shimmering Siberio reservoir one of the many reservoirs in this corner of the island. There we meet our bus that takes us back to the hotel. (5-6hrs walking time, 14km, +500m/-300m).

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Walk to Viso peak or Inagua Forest
Driving the short distance to the Aldea Pass, (700m) by public bus we strt with a rugged trail with a gently start then a steeper climb up to an altitude of 1000mts. From here several optional are availble. After enjoying the beautiful view from Viso Peak set against the back drop of the blue Atlantic Ocean you can walk back the same trail just climbed (3hrs, +300mt/-300mtr) or you may continue on the trail steeply down for another 3 hours amongst unique flora until retruning to San Nicolas(4.5 hrs walking, 13km=300mts/-940mts), and finally for the very keen walkers you may take the extension of the trail through the Inagua Forest (1150mts) along the majestic Canarian firs offering extraordinary views of the villages we walked through on day 3.. After lunch we will descent steeply down to the public bus stop at Los Azulejos (5.5hrs, 16km,+300m/-600m).

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Free day for relaxing or more walking
You may want to take it easy today and just go for a stroll down to the beach and the fish restaurants at the port. You may instead choose to take the bus to Puerto Mogán, a “Venetian style” tourist resort with lots of shops and places to sit, drink and watch the world go by. For more alternatives: see the options mentioned on Day 4. There’s also the option to take a swim in the local pool, next to the hotel, with sauna and jacuzzi facilities. Another option is a visit to a local tomato growing sorting and packing fascility. The general director will be proud to show you around the industry which is a main source of income for those in the Aldea Valley

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Tour ends Las Palmas Airport
This morning we transfer to airport in time for the connecting group flight back to London.

Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

7 nights Standard Hotel (H+)

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sun 04 Sep - Sun 11 Sep 2011 - 790 GBP
Sun 11 Sep - Sun 18 Sep 2011 - 790 GBP
Sun 18 Sep - Sun 25 Sep 2011 - 790 GBP
Sun 16 Oct - Sun 23 Oct 2011 - 790 GBP
Sun 23 Oct - Sun 30 Oct 2011 - 790 GBP
Sun 12 Feb - Sun 19 Feb 2012 - 810 GBP
Sun 19 Feb - Sun 26 Feb 2012 - 810 GBP
Sun 26 Feb - Sun 04 Mar 2012 - 810 GBP
Sun 04 Mar - Sun 11 Mar 2012 - 810 GBP
Sun 01 Apr - Sun 08 Apr 2012 - 870 GBP
Sun 08 Apr - Sun 15 Apr 2012 - 870 GBP
Sun 15 Apr - Sun 22 Apr 2012 - 870 GBP
Sun 22 Apr - Sun 29 Apr 2012 - 870 GBP

0844 499 0901