Lorna and friends in Madeira

Lorna and friends in Madeira

Hi Lorna,

Please see below the plan I did based on your inputs and our discussion this week, I have also added a few suggestions.
Let me know you thoughts after consulting with the girls 😄.
We can also change the dates or the breaks between them.

Day 1 East Coast (12th of Nov)

  1. Pick-up 09:00
  2. Machico area - Pico do Furado - Boca do Risco;  ~4 -5 h, loop trail, 11 km
  3. Miradouro do Cristo Rei
  4. Miradouro de Machico
  5. Miradouro do Pico do Facho
  6. Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto (view of Ponta de São Lorenço).
  7. Porto da Cruz (we could have lunch at A Pipa or take some healthy snacks with us, sandwiches and fruits).
  8. Miradouro Guindaste (view over the north coast of Madeira).
  9. Miradouro do Curtado
  10. Santana
  11. Miradouro Rocha do Navio.
  12. São Jorje beach and ruins.
  13. Moinho do Achadinha - An old watermill from 17th century
  14. Miradouro da Beira da Quinta (facing Arco de São Jorje).
  15. Miradouro São Cristovão (suggested dinner with one of the most amazing).

Day 2 North West (13th of Nov)

  1. Pick-up at 06:15
  2. Sunrise at Bica da Cana at 07:36.
  3. Pico dos Barcelos - offers a 360° view of the beautiful city of Funchal.
  4. Curral das Freiras (Nun's Valley) - a village surrounded by the mountain peaks; one of the few places on the island that it is not visible from the sea.
  5. Miradouro Eira do Serrado - overlooking the Nun's Valley.
  6. Caminho Florestal das Serras de Setor Antonio - a road in the central of the island renowned for its unique and diverse flora and vegetation, offering a rich experience of the wild and scenic heart of Madeira.
  7. Miradouro do Paredão - overlooking breathtaking views towards Pico Grande, the 6th highest peak of Madeira and Nun's Valley, only this one is less touristy and, in my opinion, even more beautiful.
  8. Pico do Arieiro - The third peak of the island

Day 3 West Coast (14th of Nov)

  1. Ponta do Pargo area - Levada Nova - Levada Nova da Calheta - Cabo - Pico Vermelho ~4 h, loop trail, 10 km
  2. Suggested lunch at O forno (BBQ restaurant) or take some healthy snacks with us, sandwiches and fruits and it latter in Paul do Mar or Jardim do Mar.
  3. Viewpoint da Garganta Funda (impressive waterfall especially in the winter time when the debit is higher).
  4. Miradouro do Fio (viewpoint of the highest lighthouse of Portugal, visible from 50 km).
  5. Paul do Mar - an important fishing center on the southwest coast of Madeira. This picturesque town is known for its striking natural landscapes, also widely appreciated by surfers.
  6. Jardim do Mar - small, secluded village and car-free little town which was only accessible by boat until the '60s.

15th of Nov - Funchal

16th of Nov - Meet-up Boaventura circuit - 10 km, 3 h, flat.

17th of Nov - Boat trip at sunset

Day 4 (18th of Nov)

  1. Ponta do Pargo - Levada do Pedregal - ~10,5 km
  2. Achada da Cruz - Cable Car
  3. Porto Moniz natural lava pools.
  4. Fanal forest and the 600 years laurel trees.
  5. Suggested lunch at A poita - fresh fish locals restaurant.
  6. The Cabo Girão Sky-walk is the highest cliff in Europe at 580 m above the sea level.

19th of Nov - Funchal

Day 5 South East (20th of Nov)

  1. Fãja dos Padres - a secluded serviced beach, accessed via a thrilling cable car ride. It has an unique microclimate perfect for bio agriculture; we'll be able to walk in the garden among avocados, bananas and mangoes and also enjoy the beachfront restaurant which is very good.
  2. Banana Route - a very pleasant walk through lush, terraced banana plantations that plunge into the Atlantic. It leads along concrete paths, small levadas and a few stairs through banana plantations where you can often see locals at work and buy fresh bananas.
  3. Ilha das Aves - Birds Zoo
  4. Dinner at O Polar for espetada.

Other suggestions:

Funchal cable car and Tropical garden.
Walk from Funchal (Praia Formosa) towards Camara do Lobos.
Calhau de lapa - boat trip at sunset.