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. Machico area - Levada do caniçal ~4 h.
  2. Miradouro do Pico do Facho (overlooking the port of Canical and the town of Machico).
  3. Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto (view of Ponta de Sao Lorenco).
  4. Porto da Cruz (we could have lunch at A Pipa).
  5. Miradouro Guindaste (view over the north coast of Madeira).
  6. Miradouro Rocha do Navio.
  7. São Jorje beach and ruins.
  8. Miradouro da Beira da Quinta (facing Arco de São Jorje).
  9. Miradouro Sao Cristovão.
  10. Town of São Vicente.

Day 2 North West (13th of Nov)

  1. Fanal laurisilva forest trail options.
    a. PR 13 Levada do Fanal - ~22 km, 7 h.
    b. PR 14 Levada dos Cedros - ~10 km, 4 h.
  2. Achadas da Cruz cable car and visiting uninhabited farming village.

Day 3 West Coast (14th of Nov)

  1. Ponta do Sol area - Levada do Moinho ~4 h.
  2. Lunch at A Poita - fresh fish restaurant.
  3. Calheta town and beach - the first artificial beach in Madeira, using golden sand imported from Morocco.
  4. Jardim do Mar - small, secluded village and car-free little town which was only accesible by boat until the '60s.
  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. Miradouro do Fio.
  7. Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo (Lighthouse).
  8. Miradouro da Garganta Funda (sunset).

15th of Nov ?
16th of Nov - Meet-up Boaventura circuit - 10 km, 3 h, flat.

17th of Nov ?

Day 4 (18th of Nov)

  1. Ponta do Pargo - Levada do Pedregal - ~10,5 km
  2. Suggested lunch at O forno - BBQ restaurant
  3. Porto Moniz natural lava pools.
  4. The Cabo Girão Sky-walk is the highest cliff in Europe at 580 m above the sea level.
  5. 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.
    Miradouro Eira do Serrado - overlooking the Nun's Valley.

Day 5 Central of the island (19th of Nov)

  1. Hiking trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo peaks.
  2. Paul can pick us up from Achada do Teixeira (the other end of Pico Ruivo) where we can eat and relax.
  3. Forestry park of Queimadas - a perfect spot for strolling, walking and relaxing in direct contact with nature while observing the richness of Laurissilva forest.

Day 6 South East (20th of Nov)

  1. Ponta do São Lourenço trail - Miradouro de São Lourenço - Praia da Baía D'Abra - Casa da Sardinhas ( a restaurant built initially with the intention of serving as a place of refuge and vacation).
  2. Prainha beach.

Other suggestions:

Funchal cable car and Tropical garden.
Walk fom Funchal (Praia Formosa) towards Camara do Lobos.

Faja dos Padres (near Cabo Girão) - cable car similar with Achadas da cruz, but with a restaurant and services.
Calhau de lapa - boat trip at sunset.

Levada do Alecrim - Dona Beja Lagoon.
Levada do Rei.
Levada do Larano.