You will sleep for 2 nights in a carefully chosen comfortable hotel in a double room, 1 night in a comfortable cottage, 1 night in a comfortable hostel on the coast, and 1 night in a refuge on Madeira's highest peak.(*)

It's not easy to find places to sleep in a tent in Madeira, as most pitches are very small. That's why we've opted for hotel & refuge accommodation. This way, you'll have plenty of opportunity to rest and recharge your batteries for the hike.

(*) Solo participants will sleep in the same room as another participant, in separate beds. We always do our best to put participants of the same sex in the same room.

During the hike, you will very rarely pass by a refuge or restaurant. That's why we offer a food package option for more convenience and to let everyone experience the local cuisine.

This includes a packed lunch for the day, as well as a nice local meal at the hotel restaurant for the five days of hiking.

We still recommend bringing some snacks to take on the hike, to enjoy during breaks.

Meal overview (subject to change):

• Breakfast (included in the base price): bread, jam, cheese or ham, a coffee (or tea), and a juice. It may also be served as a buffet, depending on the location.
• Packed lunch: Ham/cheese, chicken, or roast beef sandwich, accompanied by fruit, a small dessert, and a juice.
• Dinner: Local fish or meat at the hotel restaurant, or served as a buffet depending on the location.

We also offer a vegetarian option, but unfortunately, not a vegan one.

The Madeira Trail is a self-guided hike. This means you'll be hiking completely independently. We make sure you have everything you need for a successful trek. Everything is organized for you, so you don't have to think about a thing.

Hike and enjoy, that's all you need to do.

Overview of the week:

• An experienced ranger will give you a complete briefing on the first day of the hike. He will then send you a daily briefing via message.
• You will then start hiking independently on the accessible and balanced route we have laid out for you.
• In our app, you'll find an overview of all the routes and important information for each day. This will allow you to hike completely on your own.
• Your hotel and shelter nights are reserved for you.
• You will enjoy prepared meals in the morning, at noon, and in the evening without having to worry about cooking (if you've chosen that option).
• Additionally, our ranger is available to help you if needed. You can contact him throughout the trip to ask questions.

• Detailed itinerary and complete organization of the trip
• 3 nights in a comfortable hotel in unique locations
• 1 night in a cozy cottage
• 1 unique night in a refuge at Pico Ruivo (the highest point of Madeira)
• 5 breakfasts
• Hotel tourist taxes
• Shuttle transport to the start of the trek
• Shuttle transport from the hotel in Santana to Porto da Cruz (day 5)
• Welcome and briefing by an experienced ranger
• Complete gear list so you don't forget anything
• Madeira Trail app with all the necessary information

ID Card

Madeira is an island of Portugal, so you don't need a passport, just a valid ID card.

Hiking Gear

It's important to bring good walking shoes that you feel comfortable enough in for a long trek. Hiking boots of type A/B – B/C with ankle support are essential for navigating the trails of Madeira.

We will also send you a more detailed list of what you need to bring before your departure.

Throughout the week, you'll cover a total of about 85 km, with daily stages ranging from 12 to 22 km. The days are well distributed and balanced to ensure a good mix between the number of kilometers traveled and the elevation gained.

Yes, you will need to carry your backpack for the entire hike. We recommend traveling as light as possible. To make sure you don't forget anything while avoiding excess, rely on our gear list: it's designed specifically to help you make the right choices!

If you want to stay a few extra days after the hike and bring some additional belongings, you can drop off a bag at the airport for €4.50 per day, or use a platform like Luggage Hero to find a place to store it easily.

Since January 1, 2025, the regional government of Madeira has implemented entry fees for all official routes on the island. The fee is fixed: €3 per trail, per person.

Payment is made only online via the official site: simplifica.madeira.gov.pt. Once your booking is made, you will receive a personal code to present in case of inspection.

Each participant must book their entries in advance. During the peak season, it is recommended to book them at least 1 week before your departure.

No worries! A detailed communication will be sent to guide you and help you book the right trails on the right dates.

For all people aged 16 to 65, in good physical condition and who have previously done multi-day hikes with a backpack. The trek involves long distances and a lot of elevation gain, so good health and physical fitness are necessary. Therefore, we emphasize that this hike is not suitable for beginners.

Are you unsure about your ability to do this trek?

The following questions will help clarify things:

• How many times have I been physically active in the last three months?
• What types of physical activities do I regularly engage in and for how long?
• Have I had any recent injuries that could affect my ability to enjoy this adventure?
• Can I walk comfortably for 15 kilometers on hilly terrain for several days with a weight on my back?
• Can I train over the next few months to best prepare for this adventure?

If your answers give you full confidence to embark on this adventure, then this trek is definitely for you! You will receive a training program a week after your booking that will help you be ready to tackle the trail with ease.

Still have doubts and want to test yourself before going hiking?

Try one of our micro-adventures like The Packraft Trail.

This hike is not recommended for those with severe vertigo. The trails in Madeira often run along the mountain, with narrow paths close to cliffs.
If you are traveling alone and suffer from vertigo, we strongly advise against participating for safety and comfort reasons.
However, if you know you can manage this difficulty with the support of a companion, it may be possible.
Please note that we cannot be held responsible if your vertigo prevents you from continuing the hike.

This is a self-guided hike, so you won't be walking in a group, but you can certainly walk with other participants if you wish. There is a maximum of 10 participants per departure date.

Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we do not allow dogs on the hike. The Madeira Trail is a challenging hike with a lot of elevation changes and is not suitable for a dog.

The planet offers us so many incredible things to admire, especially through our travels. But if we want to enjoy it for a long time, we must protect it at all costs. That's why we're making extra efforts to reduce the impact of our trips, and you can also reliably contribute to a Greentripper climate project through the booking form, which offsets the CO2 emissions from your mode of transport. By contributing to their certified project “Wildlife Cambodia,” you help protect the beautiful forests and the wildlife they harbor, support local communities, and reduce the CO2 emissions from your trip. If you decide to participate in the project, Travelbase will take on the additional responsibility of reducing your carbon footprint during the trip itself. Upon your return, you will also receive an official carbon credit certificate.

To learn more about the efforts and actions implemented by Travelbase, check out the following page.

Two weeks before departure, we will send you an invitation link to a WhatsApp group. The rangers will share important information there, and you will be free to ask any practical questions.

Yes, it is absolutely possible to book this trip solo. Depending on the departure date, there are several solo travelers who join the hike.

Payment is made in two installments. You have 5 days after registration to confirm and pay a deposit of 30% of your total amount. Beyond these 5 days, your registration will be automatically canceled. You then have until 60 days before your departure to pay the remaining balance. All payment information can be found in your profile. Each payment has its specific information. Be sure to provide the correct details (reference, account number), so your transfer isn't returned to you.

Yes, you can still add an option later, up to 3 weeks before your departure, subject to availability. You can also remove an option up to 2 months before departure. However, the cancellation insurance cannot be modified after your booking.

When booking, you can choose to add two types of insurance to your reservation.

Cancellation Insurance

Did you book early? If so, you might benefit from our super flexible booking conditions. This allows you to modify or cancel your reservation free of charge until January 2, 2026, without needing to provide a reason. You will then receive a full refund for your trip.

Of course, last-minute cancellations can also happen. Want to be fully covered up until departure? Then choose our cancellation insurance when booking (€69).

You can find all the terms of our cancellation insurance here.

Travel Assistance Insurance

Want to travel with peace of mind? Don't forget to add travel assistance insurance to your reservation. In case of a problem or accident on-site, our travel insurance will help you (€49).

You can check the policy conditions here.

If you book your trip in the first few days, you can enjoy super flexible conditions for free when making your reservation. With these conditions, you can move your trip (subject to availability) for free or completely cancel it and receive a refund until January 2, 2026.

Madeira enjoys a mild climate all year round. On the south coast, the sun is often shining, and temperatures range between 17 °C in winter and 26 °C in summer. The sea remains pleasant, with water temperatures between 18 °C and 24 °C.

In the mountains, the atmosphere changes quickly: it can be much cooler, windy, and sometimes foggy. Nights are significantly colder than by the sea. That's why it's essential to bring a fleece, a technical rain jacket, and rain pants.

Madeira is also known for its microclimates: in a single day, you can go from a blue sky on the coast to fog or rain in the higher altitudes.

👉 In summary: expect everything, from bright sunshine to persistent clouds. Well-prepared, you'll enjoy the best of every side of the island!