piece of cake

Blessed with a climate that is almost perfect all year round, with temperatures hovering in the high 60s and 70s, Madeira is a haven for peace, quiet and pure relaxation. This subtropical paradise island is known as the ‘floating garden’ of the Atlantic and you cannot fail to be impressed by the flowers that flourish on the island, including wild orchids and Bird of Paradise.

The island’s stunning scenery is best enjoyed on foot and we spend two days walking the ancient aqueducts, known as levadas. These ancient watercourses stretch for 2,500km around the island and date back to the 15th Century. Our walks, along popular stretches of the levadas made suitable for walkers take in some of the most breathtaking scenery the island has to offer.

Hotel Dom Pedro Baia
Canical to Marocos
a delightful 10km walk following the ‘mimosa levada’, past glens of willow and lilies, the Fonte Vermelha where water filters through the reddish porous rock and through enchanting valleys. As you come to Ribeira das Cales you’ll see the gentle landscapes that make this walk such a delight, with Palheiros dotting the landscape, mere specks of red and white in the great bowls of greenery. Continue delving into the Ribeira da Noia where it becomes obvious why this is called the ‘mimosa levada’! All year round these golden trees frame views of unforgettable valleys. As your walk draws to an end, rest in the Ribeira Seca for views of the Machico and Deserta Islands glimmering in the sun.

Levada do Norte
all year round this is a superb walk, with a sun-blessed aspect, through landscape rich in cultivation, thanks to the waters of the Levada do Norte. In early autumn the grapes are harvested for some of Madeira’s best-known wines, and the valleys are thick with sugar cane and cherry trees. Through the narrow valley of the Ribeira da Caixa, smothered in blossom in spring, and on to Cabo Girao to enjoy the splendid views of the coast above Caldeira. Finally, the Quinta Grande, exceptionally lovely in autumn; a riot of sugar cane and blackberries below stately pines and sweet chestnut, houses festooned in dahlias and the smell of wood fires in the air.