Madeira - The Great Traverse

4-11 June 2008

The mountainous island of Madeira lies in the Atlantic Ocean off the Moroccan coast. Its cragged peaks are merely the tip of a gigantic volcano that plunges 4000m (13,200 ft) below sea level to the ocean floor. Madeira derives its name from the forests that covered the uninhabited island when the first seafarers arrived in 1351.

Today, Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal. The north of the island remains heavily forested, the middle is unpopulated and mountainous whilse the south is cultivated and supports most of the population.

This challenge will show you the wonderful variety of Madiera’s natural diversity. This is not a linear walk, from A to B, but a selection of walks covering the length and breadth of the island and walking a total of approximately 83km (52 miles).

On all walks you must be sure-footed and have a head for heights (danger of vertigo). Some Levadas (water canals) have sheer drops, but railings protect most of the exposed sections.

Day one: London Gatwick – Funchal

Welcome to Madeira! An introductory talk outlining the arrangements for the week ahead will be given in the afternoon.

Day two: Paul do Mar – Ponto do Pargo

• Distance: 17km (10.6 miles)
• Time: six hour walk
• Difficulty: easy underfoot. Some steep drops.

Our first walk starts in the west of the island in the fishing village of Paul do Mar, on the south coast. After walking through the village we follow the old cobbled basalt stone footpath, from sea level to a levada 650m above sea level. On the flat and safe dirt footpath along the levada we move in a westerly direction, through a variety of rural landscapes, towards the lighthouse at the finishing point in the village of Ponto do Pargo, the most westerly point of the island. With Ocean views on the left all day, the route leads through a patchwork of vineyards and terraced plots.

Day three: Rabacal – Paul da Serra

• Distance: 14km (8.75 miles)
• Time: five hour walk
• Difficulty: moderately difficult underfoot.

This is a truly spectacular mountain area located in the nature park. This area is criss-crossed by levadas which allow us to do a variety of walks according to the group’s collective head for heights. We reach Rabacal by following a forest road and then crossing an 800m long tunnel into Rabacal valley. Footpaths are wide and flat for the first half of our route, which leads to the Risco waterfall. After enjoying the scenery we start our 340m climb along a single file track through the forest, stopping at Lagoa do Vento (wind lake) waterfall and then continuing on to the plateau. The footpath is challenging due to dense vegetation and waterlines, but safe. The final 3km are alongside a flat levada footpath on the rim of the Paul de Serra plateau. Today’s finishing point is the Jungle Rain Café, where one can enjoy a well earned refreshment before returning to Funchal.

Day four: Boca da Corrida – Boca do Cerro – Curral das Freiras

• Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
• Time: four hour walk
• Difficulty: steep in short stretches. The trail has loose stones underfoot in places.

A mountain walk, which starts at the pass of Boca da Corrida where there is a forestry house, a shrine and a spectacular viewpoint over Curral das Freiras. The route allows almost anybody to experience the beauty of a mountain walk on a safe single-track path. Although the mountains are impressive, the path makes crossing this terrain possible, (in exchange for a good deal of sweat), as it undulates towards the pleasant picnic spot at the foot of Pico Grande (1654m). The path then descends 600m to Curral das Freiras, which involves a zigzagging path which is mostly a metre wide. The trail winds its way into a chestnut and then eucalyptus forest before reaching the upper parts of the rural village, which is our destination. At the end of the walk, sample the local ‘brews’ in a country bar/cafe.

Day five: Ribeiro Frio – Lamaceiros – Portela

• Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
• Time: 4 hour walk
• Difficulty: moderate difficulty underfoot.

Before the walk, visit the Trout Farm, where there is also a souvenir shop selling local goods. A coffee at Victor’s bar/ restaurant is a must with an open log fire - this is definitely the perfect way to get the day off to a good start! The walk takes us along Levada do Furado, through a number of short tunnels with man-made arches. No torches are required but plenty of attention on the irregular footpath is a must since it can be quite slippery when wet. Two thirds of the walk is alongside the flat levada and then from Lamaceiros, we descend on a wide path to the Levada da Portela, where there is a forestry house with garden and picnic tables. We descend on this path until we reach the road, which takes us to the bar at ‘Portela a Vista’ where tomato soup is a speciality. It’s then time to head back to Funchal for wine tasting at ‘D’Oliveras and ‘Barras Da Sousa’.

Day six: North coastal path – Canical – Boca Do Risco – Larano

• Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
• Time: five hour walk
• Difficulty: Moderate difficulty underfoot. People prone to vertigo will have difficulty because there are some sheer drops next to the footpath.

We follow the Levada Do Canical and then take the path uphill to reach the northern cliffs at Boca Do Risco. We follow the cliff-top path to Larano providing stunning views of the coastline.

Day seven: Ponta de Sao Lourenco

• Distance: 8km (5 miles)
• Time: 4 hour walk
• Difficulty: Moderate difficulty underfoot.

A bus takes us to our short and final walk at Ponta de Sao Lourenco, the most easterly part of the island that is accessible without use of a boat. Here, there are some interesting rock formations and a completely unique landscape compared with the rest of the island. Go for a swim in the Baia de Abra or just enjoy the view. Return to Funchal for a well-earned restful final evening in Madeira.

Day eight: Funchal to London Gatwick

Time for any last minute shopping before we transfer to the airport and join the plane for the trip home.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in guest houses or hotels of a good standard (three/ four stars).

Food and drink

Each day, breakfast and packed lunches will be provided. Walkers will be responsible for paying for their evening meals.

Guides

All of our guides are highly motivated, experienced mountaineers and also qualified first aiders. They offer both experience and encouragement, as well as sharing their great sense of humour!

Transport

Transport will be provided throughout the duration of the event.

Cost

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £1,500 sponsorship money in order to cover all costs and ensure Epilepsy Action benefits significantly. Obviously, if you can raise more than the minimum amount it would be greatly appreciated.

A non-refundable deposit of £250 is required at the time of booking – the £1,500 sponsorship pledge includes this deposit.

We ask that £600 is sent in at least 14 weeks before the event (excluding the £250 deposit) and the remaining £650 is sent in 28 days after the event.

What next?

Contact Melanie Taylor in our fundraising department for more information on 0113 210 8800 or email mtaylor@epilepsy.org.uk

Fundraising guide

Index · Advice · Ideas · Money · Publicity · Training plans
A to Z of fundraising ideas

• Download or print our fundraising guide

• Download or print a sponsorship form

• Get one of our excellent Epilepsy Action events T-shirts

To view any file in Portable Document Format (PDF) downloaded from this site, you need the latest version of the Adobe Reader program. If you don't already have it, it can be downloaded free from www.adobe.com.

Site A-Z

Site search

About us

Comment on this page

Email this page to a friend

Terms & conditions