Madeira: Hike The Wild

• Arrive at Funchal Airport where a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Settle in before meeting your Pack Leader and group in the hotel lobby for a welcome glass of Madeira wine
• Take a short stroll through Funchal’s charming Old Town to Santa Maria Street, one of the city’s most vibrant and historic areas – the perfect spot for your first dinner
• End the evening at a traditional café with a poncha tasting — sampling the island’s iconic sugarcane, citrus and honey spirit in various flavours

• Head to the island’s dramatic eastern tip for the PR8, a 3 km coastal trail along rugged volcanic cliffs with sweeping views of the Atlantic in every direction
• Take to the Atlantic on a dolphin-spotting boat experience, keeping watch for wild dolphins against Madeira’s dramatic coastal backdrop, before cruising back from the peninsula
• After a guided walking tour through Funchal’s charming streets, step inside a cosy family home and learn how to make Bolo de Mel, the island’s famous honey cake, using a traditional family recipe passed down through generations

Daily summary: 2 hours walked. 3 kilometres covered. 350-450m elevation gain.

• Navigate Madeira’s volcanic ravines alongside expert guides, abseiling waterfalls and trekking through lush canyon landscapes
• Sit down to a Madeiran lunch rich in local flavour – think traditional Madeiran flatbreads with garlic butter, fresh tuna steak and fried corn cubes
• Sample the island’s local cider, considered ‘the best cider in the world’ (and a two-time Gold award winner) at Quinta da Moscadinha, before heading into the island’s lush interior for a gentle 5 km levada walk

• Head deep into Madeira’s lush interior for a hike along PR6.3, a quieter trail through the island’s spectacular mountain landscapes
• Follow forested pathways to a beautiful waterfall, where you’ll have the chance to cool off with an optional swim. With fewer crowds than some of Madeira’s better-known trails, this is a chance to experience a wilder, more peaceful side of the island
• In the afternoon, continue to the coast for some well-earned beach time – relax by the Atlantic, take a dip or simply soak up the scenery after a rewarding morning on the trail

Daily summary: 3-3.5 hours walked. 7.2 kilometres covered. 465m elevation gain.

• This morning you’ll tackle the Stairway to Heaven hike, which climbs to Madeira’s most spectacular high-altitude landscape
• From the summit you’ll continue along PR1 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo, one of the most breathtaking ridge walks in Europe, with panoramic views and the Atlantic far below
• Back at the hotel, the afternoon is yours to unwind, perhaps with a much-deserved spa treatment

Daily summary: most challenging day. 4-5 hours walked. 8 kilometres covered. 950m elevation gain.

• This morning you’ll head into the island’s enchanting highlands for the PR13 – Vereda do Fanal – a 10.8 km trail through ancient laurisilva forest, a UNESCO-listed ecosystem that predates the ice age
• At Fanal, slow down for a guided forest yoga and sound bath experience, surrounded by the energy of one of Europe’s oldest living forests
• Tonight’s farewell dinner is a fitting end to the week, featuring the island’s most celebrated delicacies

Daily summary: 4 hours walked. 10.8 kilometres covered. 1050m elevation gain.

• Say farewell to your new Flash Pack friends as you check out and make your own way to the airport
• Head home with seven days of extraordinary trails behind you, a deeper connection to the natural world and a group of new friends who shared every step with you