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)
- Machico area - Levada do caniçal ~4 h.
- Miradouro do Pico do Facho (overlooking the port of Canical and the town of Machico).
- Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto (view of Ponta de Sao Lorenco).
- Porto da Cruz (we could have lunch at A Pipa).
- Miradouro Guindaste (view over the north coast of Madeira).
- Miradouro Rocha do Navio.
- São Jorje beach and ruins.
- Miradouro da Beira da Quinta (facing Arco de São Jorje).
- Miradouro Sao Cristovão.
- Town of São Vicente.
Day 2 North West (13th of Nov)
- 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. - Achadas da Cruz cable car and visiting uninhabited farming village.
Day 3 West Coast (14th of Nov)
- Ponta do Sol area - Levada do Moinho ~4 h.
- Lunch at A Poita - fresh fish restaurant.
- Calheta town and beach - the first artificial beach in Madeira, using golden sand imported from Morocco.
- Jardim do Mar - small, secluded village and car-free little town which was only accesible by boat until the '60s.
- 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.
- Miradouro do Fio.
- Miradouro Farol da Ponta do Pargo (Lighthouse).
- 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)
- Ponta do Pargo - Levada do Pedregal - ~10,5 km
- Suggested lunch at O forno - BBQ restaurant
- Porto Moniz natural lava pools.
- The Cabo Girão Sky-walk is the highest cliff in Europe at 580 m above the sea level.
- 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)
- Hiking trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo peaks.
- Paul can pick us up from Achada do Teixeira (the other end of Pico Ruivo) where we can eat and relax.
- 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)
- Ponta do São Lourenço trail - Miradouro de São Lourenço - Praia da BaÃa D'Abra - Casa da Sardinhas ( a restaurant built initially with the intention of serving as a place of refuge and vacation).
- 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.