Madeira – Pearl of the Atlantic

Discover the walking paradise of the garden island of Madeira – in the company of walking friends who enjoy good walking, good food, good social chatter and who appreciate the beauty of simply wonderful scenery. Madeira is an island of fascinating natural beauty, rising steeply in splendid isolation from the Atlantic ocean. Once visited, never forgotten.

This seven night holiday – led by local guides and supported by a UK tour guide- shows off the best of this magnificent island.

Funchal- a bustling city famed for its local Portuguese/Madeiran restaurants, is an ideal base to explore the coast and mountains of the this sun kissed land.

Walking is moderate, some ascending and descending – it has both a coast and the central mountain area after all, and you should be walking fit.

We walk for five days. We use the world famous levada paths as a means of getting about the Madeiran countryside, from area to area, but this holiday is about more than levada’s.

You buy your own flights, and also evening dinner at a different restaurant each night- so the choice of number of courses and diet is yours.

We pride ourselves on how we create a social feel- so join us on this sociable active holiday.

We organise everything for you – from the minute your flight lands to when you arrive back at the airport.

Join us on this sociable active holiday where we meet as strangers and depart as friends.

Our aim by the end is to have given you a true Madeiran experience.

Discover the walking paradise of the garden island of Madeira – in the company of walking friends who enjoy good walking, good food, good social chatter and who appreciate the beauty of simply wonderful scenery. Madeira is an island of fascinating natural beauty, rising steeply in splendid isolation from the Atlantic ocean. Once visited, never forgotten.

The price shown here excludes flights – no single supplement

Our company specialises in solos and singles – we provided guided walking holidays in both the UK and Europe and we use some of the most beautiful locations. We also specialise in providing guided walking for specific groups.

What you get on a Secret Hills Madeira  Holiday

• Transfer from airport to Madeira  hotel and return.
• Bed and Breakfast accommodation- hotel with pool
• Sole Occupancy room
• Packed lunch or cafe lunch
• Guided walking- local Madeiran guides
• Any transport needed on the walks
• The services of a Secret Hills tour guide
• No single supplement – the price quoted here is the price you pay
• Individual attention
• Our administration and management service
•  
• What’s not included
• Flights- you purchase your own.
• Evening dinner

Hotels

In November 2026, we use thehttps://www.penhafrancahotels.com/ in the centre of Funchal  en suite rooms are spacious, twin bedded – some with baths and some with showers.. The hotel is an ideal place to host our walking programme, having easy access to restaurants, shops, supermarkets etc surrounds where you can The hotels’ breakfasts are continental, with cheeses and ham, yogurt, fruit and fresh rolls and preserves, with plenty of tea or coffee. A hot buffet is also available.‎

This hotel – one of the original tourist destinations, with 102 rooms, is set in lovely gardens with views to the sea. Plenty of meeting places and a restaurant on site of the highest order. Quinta da Penha de França is located in the best area of Funchal, 10 minutes walk from the centre, 

For February 2026, we use the Dom Pedro hotel in Machico-https://madeira.dompedro.com/pt

This hotel – set close to the sea on Machico Bay – with a lovely swimming pool and access to the promenade of Machico and its centre just 5 minutes away.

Your meals

Madeira has great walking but we also enjoy outstanding food – we eat at seven different atmospheric restaurants, in several areas of Funchal – in the old town, with its family  run businesses, the harbour, around the hotel zone, and in restaurants where locals eat. What can you expect?  Fish galore – the local espadas, sea bass , bream, sardines, tuna, and a whole bewildering array of other fish. Meat lovers are not left out as the local delicacy is beef on a bay leaf tree spit. The steaks are good, and pork features on most menus. Vegetarians are not left out either. As a complete contrast, we eat Italian on one evening. Local wine is inexpensive and surprisingly palatable. Normally you can expect to pay £21 a head for two courses.

No sole occupancy supplement – the price shown on the website is the price you pay

Packed lunch

We provide a simple –  locally produced at the bakery opposite the hotel – a filled  roll and piece of fruit for packed lunch. You may need to supplement this with your own energy bars/chocolate etc. Because of the nature of our walks there is little opportunity to stop for lunch at a cafe or similar on the walks.

Madeira has wonderful walking.  From fabulous coastal paths to upland mountain routes – there’s an incredible choice. We choose our walks away from the madding crowds of the popular levada walks.

We use a minibus to take us to walk start and from walk finish.

You have a choice of two activities each day- we run a strolling and exploring option alongside our walking holiday.

The Walks- five days walking with one free day

We walk in three kinds of terrain, and this adds to the enjoyment of this holiday. Walks are 8/9 miles  long and graded moderate.

Levada walking is the most popular form of exploring this island, and we take in two levada walks – though we do add to the levada walks by venturing off the main tracks to explore. They are a joy to walk along with the constant stream of water bubbling on one side, and ever changing views of deep valleys and hillsides usually to the sea, on the other,

Some of our walks – all chosen on the basis of the groups ability and the weather.

Riberio Frio – a breath taking walk along a high level levada, with stunning views  over the north coast, ending in a long descent through forest and arable land. We have coffee before the start, after a 40 minutes mini bus ride, and after the walk ends. Following good quality paths, some uneven sections, and tunnels.

Pico Do Ruivo Paul and the waterfalls – after climbing Pico do Paul, with breath taking views above St Vicente, we traverse the plain to Bica da Cana, then along a beautiful levada with glorious waterfalls on all its journey – water, water all the way, crossing several stream valleys before reaching stunning waterfalls, falling 200 feet, seemingly out of the sky.

Camacha to Monte – usually our introductory walk.

Our mountain walks are both excellent routes – the first skirts the Nuns Valley at 1200 metres, from Boca da Corrida to Encumeada underneath Pico Grande – simply breath taking views.

The second is even higher at 1650 metres high, traversing two of Madeira’s highest peaks from Pico Arreirro to Pico Ruivo. The mountain walks are on good paths, with gradual climbing, and some sharp descents to test the knees. Levada walks are generally flat, some descent at the at the end of the walk.

We also walk along the coast around Machico and Porta do Cruz. The Boca do Risco walk along the coast is simply stunning. On wet weather days – you may get one – we walk along the Point St Laurenco – jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean – with super geological features.

On the south west coast we walk along the levada at Prazares, then descend to Paul do Mar from the Hotel Atlantic, or to Paul do Mar from Faja de Ovelha.

On this holiday you have five walking days and one free day

The Climate

It has a splendid climate, rarely getting above 28 degrees and below 15 degrees, and that means excellent walking conditions. It’s a haven for those who seek a relaxing walking holiday in close proximity to nature.The levada’s banks and the surrounding countryside are planted with hydrangeas, lilies and agapanthus. Its mountains are rugged and inspiring with generally good sea views. Gardens and parks are everywhere – planted with all manner of exotic trees shrubs and blooms.

Your Walk Leaders

We use local walking guides to show us the best of walking in this walking paradise – their knowledge of the history, plant life and geology is brilliant. Alan Garner is your holiday leader. We will arrange all aspects of the holiday from arrangements in the UK, to meeting you off your flight and settling  you into your hotel. We then manage your walk guiding. including all transport. We also arrange your evening meals as a group, though this is not obligatory. We have spent time selecting the best value for money restaurants in Funchal, We will also advise on where you can enjoy evening entertainment, the best places to change money and  the best places to buy those take home presents.

On this holiday you have a free day – Friday – and we will advise on where to go and how to get there.

Or simply just chill out .

Prevailing weather conditions

Madeira is a mix of sunny, warm weather- but there could be cloudy conditions and some high level mist- and be prepared for a shower or two- it is not a green paradise for no reason.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained  and experienced in dealing  with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about  any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

On each Madeira holiday we have two grades of walking.- moderate and easy.

On the moderate walks – 8/9miles – we ascend and descend at least once per day – up to 300 metres but generally over an hour and a half. Pace is critical – we don’t rush, there’s too much to see, but we do stride out where it is possible. Underfoot conditions in Madeira are generally good – it is volcanic soil and there can be some rocky sections – and we take care on these sections. Footpaths are well marked and accessible.

The signature walk on the island – the Pico’s walk- has many challenging sections- not a long walk in distance but takes 6 hours. Many ascents and descents and a few tunnels as well- but all the above accessible to god, competent walkers, with hill walking abilities.

On the easy walks – which  may also include some sightseeing of villages. towns, gardens and things of interest generally – we won’t walk as fast, have plenty of stops and probably cover 5/6 miles. This will be done over the whole of the day.

There will be hills to ascend/descend but we will take these very steadily – we do not rush our clients. As with the walking grade – underfoot conditions in Madeira can be stony – it is – and we take care on those sections. The pace is slower, not snail pace but enough to give you a good stroll, and to allow you to enjoy the wonderful Madeiran countryside.

You will find the easy walking holiday advertised under Strolling and Exploring on our web site.

Each day you have the choice of either walking or strolling.

If you want a holiday that is adventurous and romantic, that’s completely unique and different, and yet, one that’s totally unforgettable and exotic? Madeira’s just the place.

With fuchsia Bougainvillea, scarlet Poinsettias and lilac Jacaranda trees blanketing the landscape in quilts of exotic blooms throughout the year. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, just north-west of the Canary islands and a little further away from Africa, it is famous for its’ balmy summers and warm winters making it the ideal holiday destination all year. Madeira has two sides, north and south, separated by a mountainous spine. The south warm and sunny, whilst the north a little cooler.
Its capital city,. Funchal has over the years retained a charm of its own with whitewashed colonial buildings, 15th century churches, picturesque squares and relaxing promenades.

The narrow back streets of the old part of the town are packed with tavernas, the contrasting Marina has a more cosmopolitan vibe, with its’ pavement café’s and excellent seafood restaurants specializing in freshly grilled lobster. The Madeira Botanical Gardens set high above Funchal are easy to reach by car, bus, or the preferred method of the Teleférico Cable Car. Connecting the Gardens with the old town of Funchal, the cable car floats over gorges and hillsides with stupendous views on offer.

For the energetic and adventurous Madeira offers endless opportunities from mountain walking, hiking to para-gliding. Levadas were once used to bring water down from the mountains to the fields, now they are Madeira’s prime walking territory. Covering 2,000 kilometres, this natural network of routes encapsulates stunning countryside. The islands of the Madeira Archipelago not only have beautiful seascapes but have an abundance of marine wildlife.

A. walking paradise –  Madeira will surprise you, enchant you. Join us and enjoy.