Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira

Very well organised. Definitely challenging. Plenty food. Good accommodation. Great guide and brilliant group.

It is a really cool and safe way to take more adventures and meet new interesting, motivating people. The Guide had very good social skills and a lot of knowlege. And Madeira has a Lot to offer.

A huge thank you is due to Nuno for a wonderful week in Madeira. My husband and I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys diverse landscapes and views. We were very lucky to have perfect weather conditions for the trip which made it an even better experience.

Nuno was fun, informative and easy going but still kept us all moving and ran the week incredibly smoothly. He has an impressive knowledge of the local floral, fauna, geography and history of Madeira and his passion for his hometown is evident and infectious! We really enjoyed the knowledge he shared each day. He has a talent for telling you information without it seeming condescending or dull. Thank you, Nuno!!

The hotels and food were all better than expected and the willingness of Nuno and the hotel staff to help organise things was really appreciated.

Overall, it’s a fun trip and we would recommend using MBA to our family and friends.

Let's be honest! We never hiked several days in a row, we always guided ourselves and for sure we did not have a vacation with a group of strangers. After six days of hiking in the Madeira levadas and mountains we are so happy we booked this experience. It was our first MBA trip but it is only the beginning :) Joao our guide was an amazing spirit. The group was amazing on all levels, as Iona put it well: a little family. It was challenging as we expected, but also the adventure we seeked. Thank you MBA for enriching our lives :) Cheers, Iulia & Franz

3. 5 stars rounded up.

Everyone should do this trip because it was a fantastic week and likely the best way to see the less crowded bits of the island. It was a beautiful week with lovely people. There is, as with most things, room for improvement.

The good: We couldn't have asked for a better host. Joao was friendly, organised, knowledgeable: full of energy and facts about the island. He kept the group together and motivated us without it feeling like a school trip. The elevation profile texts every day were super useful.

The scenery is amazing and we got to get up close to a huge variety of landscapes. For the most part the routes were quiet and we had trails to ourselves. Even with one route being closed we had a great set of backup options.

The hikes were challenging without being gruelling. Our group was a fantastic bunch with a small range of experience so we spread out but not too much.

The mountain hut. The food was spectacular and we really came together as a group. Not as cold or as basic as it sounds, this was the best night.

(Most) hotel locations. Great locations and a variety of landscapes. Generally comfortable.

The bad:

Feed your vegetarians. Yes, it's rural but you've had our booking for 4 months and we're paying a professional company to manage the logistics, so that excuse doesnt work. 3/10 people in the group should get better than a half plate of undressed salad leaves and boiled potatoes. 3/6 dinners were just sad, two were mediocre. Breakfast was mainly cheese sandwiches. (That being said, huge shout out to the lunch boxes, and the Nepalese chef at the mountain hut who got this right)

The pacing. Our guide did a great job pausing for things that were interesting, but not for things that were simply pretty. I wanted to savour the Fanal forest stop, a few waterfalls and sea viewpoints even if I was being a bit "basic". We'd often get to the hotel 3 hours before dinner with little to do , though I imagine this improves in summer with the pools opening.

The only other thing to note is that this trip doesn't weight towards "70% solo travellers" as some do. Lot of couples. I got very lucky with a lovely roommate but it could have been a bit lonely otherwise.

Had such a fantastic week! This is my second trip with MBA and they didn't fail to deliver. Our guide Joao was excellent, professional and kind, looking after everyone. The group, as before were likeminded and easygoing. Everything was well organised, we were never hungry and accommodation was excellent. The scenery was spectacular. I would highly recommend this trip for a stress free week and a break from the grind at home!

This was an absolutely fantastic trip, with scenery even more beautiful than I had imagined. Our guide João was brilliant, laid back, and approachable. He had excellent knowledge of the island and did everything he could to ensure each of us had the best experience possible. The week was made even better by being with a wonderful group of likeminded people. The week was very well organised, with great food and accommodation, and I thoroughly enjoyed every hike. I would definitely recommend this trip!

This was my first trip with MBA and I had an amazing time. The guide, Joao, did a brilliant job of taking care of the group and checking we had everything we needed, as well as showing us the island. Madeira was stunning and the hikes were a great mix of scenery and challenge/terrain. It’s hard to pick a favourite day! - But the stairway to heaven and mountain hut, and first and last hiking days seeing the different coastlines, were highlights for me. The food and accommodation were also great and the group were absolutely lovely. This was a really special trip, and I’d not hesitate to travel with MBA again.

This was my third trip with Much Better Adventures, and honestly, it was one of the best. From start to finish, everything was incredibly well-organised and seamless. Even when our luggage didn’t arrive on time (completely out of the guide’s or company’s control), it was sorted quickly and professionally — we were still able to enjoy the experience without stress.

The coast-to-coast hiking adventure in Madeira was amazing. The hikes were beautifully varied — just the right level of challenge — and the views were absolutely breathtaking. From Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and everywhere in between, every step was memorable. The night in the mountain hut was a real highlight — we were so well looked after, the food was brilliant, and the company even better.

Speaking of food, every meal throughout the trip exceeded expectations — fresh, delicious, and a real taste of local flavour.

The group we were with was fantastic — such a great mix of people — and we were so well cared for by our guide and team. Wind, rain, sun… no matter the weather, the week was filled with laughter, great conversations, and unforgettable moments.

If you’re thinking about this trip, do it. Madeira coast-to-coast is a truly special experience, and I couldn’t have asked for a better week or better people to share it with. Already dreaming about my next adventure

What a fabulous trip! João was an amazing tour guide! He made us all feel very welcome and taken care of. He made us feel very relaxed and loved the british humour. We landed super lucky with the weather! Each walk was different and had its own amazing scenery and terrain. The group were amazing,l; couldn't have asked for a better group to spend the week with! The food and accommodation were great! I would recommend tagging on some days either side as you'll want to explore more of the island. Food and drink (outside of what's included) is really cheap. My friend and I had so much fun! This is my 2nd MBA trip and i would definitely book another! X

Beautiful paths, great wine, and a really good group of people. Everyday was varied, and good mix of activity and chill time at the end of the day. A really great way to explore the island and local cuisine - would recommend.

Pros: We had an amazing trip to Madeira. Our guide João was hilarious, inclusive, and great at guiding us through the mountains. Our group were all amazing people and the bonds you build hiking the mountains over a week are irreplaceable. The scenery was beautiful and the hikes at time were challenging, but rewarding.

The mountain hut was also much better than the reviews suggest. There were large bathrooms seperate for both men and women, although only cold water was available and the bathrooms were a bit grimy. A beautiful country and we had an amazing time.

Cons: Worth noting that the Stairway to heaven path / 2 of the days hiking are substantially changed due to the fires. This is in small print & FAQ, but likely worthwhile MBA changing the itinerary as there is no clear open date in sight and this is a bit misleading as is.

As per other reviews, wouldn’t call this a coast to coast hike, rather daily guided walks, which was concentrated in one area for 3 days - which we then drove across a large part of the island and did the other side in one day. Probably a product of the fires too.

To be noted you don’t get a dedicated guide for this trip, just the mountain guide during hikes, then left to own devices at dinner / breakfasts etc. This was a bit strange in a foreign country where no one spoke Portuguese, the communication overall was poor where we weren’t told what we were eating, no one to ask our questions of on the ground. We had a virtual tour manager but it makes a big difference when they’re not around at the time / you haven’t met them. Would rather pay slightly more and have a dedicated guide which is usual for these trips.

Would still highly recommend !!

Madeira is an amazing place , the beauty hidden deep inside away from taxis and tourists. Our guide Puedro was the key to unlocking these magical places which would be otherwise missed. Puedro has a deep knowledge of the islands history , its geological features and natural landscapes. His excellent guidance and keen attention to safety , was well balanced with a great sense of humour and local rapport with the local community who are always warm and friendly. Crashing cliffs , majestic forests , sunny beaches and towering mountains … this place has it all , and we seen it all. Thanks Puedro.

A super week, epic hikes and sensational scenery. The weather changes quickly so we had to rejig some of the hikes to different days but didn’t affect anything. It meant we got to do the best hikes and see the best views, we did the stairway to heaven a day early as the planned day had snow and ice resulting in the path being closed…best plan is to listen to the guides advice and do the hikes they suggest. Our guide and main organiser were fantastic, friendly, helpful, proactive and fun. We all had a super time, the hotels aren’t deluxe but all have hot showers, beds and three course dinner so after a day hiking they’re pretty great. Only thing would be, it’s more of a week of guided hikes around the island rather than travelling coast to coast. This didn’t bother me at all but just a heads up. That being said, the hiking trails were awesome, the eucalyptus forest was a personal favourite. The views are spectacular and for anyone that loves hiking and a mountain I would truly recommend. Really don’t need walking poles unless you always use them but a poncho is the best thing you can take!

Just back from a wonderful week in Madeira. We had a lovely guide Yulia. She made our trip amazing from start to finish. We weren’t blessed with the best weather this week unfortunately and very out of character for the island I believe. This meant a few changes to our itinerary and quite unbelievably there was snow on the night that we were supposed to stay in the mountain hut so unfortunately due to conditions beyond our control we were unable to do this special night. Despite this, the alternative routes were also amazing and the decisions that Yulia made were spot on.

Jorge was always on hand if required and super helpful when we needed anything extra.

Packing wise - I forgot my sit mat and really this was the only thing I missed (would be a useful addition to the kit list!).

As you can see from my photos my boots saw their last hiking days in Madeira mud and sadly did not come home with me! They have done many years good service 😃

My one suggestion for MBA would be to add a little addendum to the itinerary as at time of writing PR1 is still closed due to wildfire damage and there is no set time for reopening it so if your main wish is to walk the spine check before you book.

Overall highly recommended!!!

Although the weather was variable most of the week, our guide, Pedro, was fun, flexible and creative and gave us the best experience possible! His love and knowledge of his home was evident. I was fortunate to experience beautiful Madeira with a fantastic group who were all very supportive when my bag did not arrive until the end of the week. Pedro and Jorge got me to a sporting goods store to pick up a few necessities to get me by. They were kind and caring and went above and beyond to make sure my week went well in spite of it all!!! I can not thank them and my amazing new group of friends enough!!

Cannot recommend this trip more. I had an absolutely amazing time hiking in Madeira with a really fabulous bunch of people. Our tour guide Pedro was brilliant, he was great fun & had such knowledge of the island & terrain. We were unlucky with weather while we were there, but Pedro & Jorge amended the agenda to make sure we could get some great walks in despite the rain. The accommodation & food was really great too. And the island’s scenery is breathtaking!

Despite the appalling weather I had a really fabulous time. Unfortunately a lot of the high trails were closed but our brilliant guide Puedro made sure we made the most of what was available.

Wow the variety of different terrains for hiking and the stunning views were fantastic. Our guide, Puedro, brought it all alive and ensured we were challenged but safe - what a brilliant and knowledgeable guide. The accommodation was good - because of bad weather causing the mountain hut access to be closed, we had to stay in one hotel for 3 nights - unfortunately that hotel was not the best of the hotels we stayed in as rooms and the restaurant were cold.

Food was plentiful - packed lunches were huge! Hiking poles were necessary - though Puedro made excellent ones from sugar canes, so don't worry if you don't bring them. An extra bag to leave things at the hotel or to be transported onwards is a good idea so that you don't have to carry too much on the hikes. Cash for small expenses such as coffee/drinks is needed; but as everything is included on this trip, you won't need much.

I would highly recommend this trip!

Madeira is an amazing and unique place to hike - so much elevation change, views, biodiversity, microclimates. Our guide Pedro was excellent, flexible and patient in keeping the group together. Another great MBA trip and I look forward to more!

What a place, this trip was an absolute dream. If you’re deliberating on whether or not to book this trip, I hope you make the right choice… book it!! I had the most incredible week, it was just the ‘reconnecting with real life’ sort of trip that I needed. Our guide (Puedro) was kind, patient and super knowledgable, and he put up with the banter from the Brits, what a guy! We had a fantastic group of kind, open and likeminded folks. I was the least fit out of the group, slowest on the inclines but kept up on the flats and descents, I learned from some within the group that our guide recognised everyone’s pace and managed it very well so it didn’t make me worry and didn’t make anyone feel that I was slower. It also helps that our group were supportive… had there been a tough crowd, or impatient people among our I’m not sure I’d have felt as supported on the inclines. I say all of this because I want to give a guide of my fitness for anyone who’s maybe wondering “can I do this?”. I sit at a desk 9-5, I don’t gym, run etc. I walk a fair bit and I hike maybe once every 2 months, though I have been a hiker my whole life. I was able to do this trip and I knew I could do it but if you are not at least a hiker or don’t keep fit generally then please do not book this thinking it will be easy, you will need to prepare. I have never been a hiking pole user but this trip converted me, so relieved I packed them as I wouldn’t have gotten down some of the slippy descents without them, due to my tired legs. Only two of us in the group brought poles, and some ended up using bamboo sticks sourced by our guide for support when they needed it, some were fine without. We were generally very lucky with the weather for the time of year, it was about 24 degrees and sunny/cloudy/misty rain by the end of the trip. I spent hardly any money because the food was included, definitely good value for money - Ana’s place we stayed at for 2 nights was a particularly good feed, and the lunches we were given were great. Lots of bread though FYI! The hotels were mid to good, none were terrible, they were good for a night or two. The mountain hut was a wonderful experience, it was freezing/damp but the bedding was clean and there were plenty of blankets, I just took a sleeping liner with me. Pico Ruivo/stairway is closed at the moment due to wildfires so a couple of the hikes were altered, but I didn’t feel I missed out on anything as all of the scenery was fantastic. I loved that for most of the week we didn’t meet any other hikers. There is honestly nothing I would change about this trip, my top highlights were definitely experiencing the levadas and catching some waves at seixal.

A brilliant and well organised trip on a stunning island. We had a couple of days of rain and it was STILL so much fun. The days were challenging at times in terms of terrain but not overly long (plenty of time for poncha!) - so long as you are a semi-regular hiker you'll be absolutely fine. The mountain hut was such a highlight. (You absolutely don't need a sleeping bag! Clean sheets on the bed and the most blankets I have ever seen in my life!)

Absolutely fantastic week hiking with Much Better Adventures across different locations on the island. This is my 3rd trip with MBA and the combination of a spectacular location, well organised itinerary, great guide (Puedro) and an amazing group of people made this my favourite so far. If you enjoying hiking and are of a reasonable fitness level then this trip is for you. The only way I can describe Madeira is a mash up of Jurassic Park and Middle Earth - tropical forests, temperate forests, high peaks and lush green valleys. I will definitely be heading back for more.

Puedro looked after us all really well, making sure we had everything we needed and everyone was ok. Each evening he kept us updated with plans for the next day and what we would need in our day packs. His love for the island shone through as he told us about it’s history, flora and fauna. He really added to an already great group dynamic.

It was a shame Pico Ruvio, PR1 route was shut, but it can’t be helped due to the devastating wildfires. Gives me an excuse to go back and do it when it re-opens. The adjusted routes were still great and I loved the hiking in the mountains, especially on some of the narrow paths along the Levada and through little mountain tunnels. Moving above and below the clouds was truly special and seeing them roll in over the mountains at the hut spectacular. Don’t forget a warm jacket for the evening at the mountain hut! While some areas (such as the stairway to heaven) were quite busy it seems great care has gone into planning the routes and we often had large parts of the day where we didn’t see other people which added to the experience.

Some of the other reviews already have great tips so I’ll try not to repeat them but I would add the following:

Before the trip I did wrestle with whether or not to take my hiking poles due to some of the other reviews on here. In the end I didn’t take them and I was fine and didn’t feel like I missed them. I would normally only use them when carrying very heavy backpacks (which you don’t need to here). To balance those reviews that mention needing them I would say that if you are confident hiking, sure-footed and don’t usually hike with poles then you’ll be fine. If you have dodgy knees or usually hike with poles then I would strongly suggest you take them. There are steep ascents and descents on some days that go on for a couple of hours, on these sections they will really help. In addition if it’s wet the rocks and clay type mud (affectionally dubbed ‘Madeira Ice’), can be a bit of a challenge and the poles will give you that extra confidence. However don’t let my comments here put you off! Our group was mixed fitness and ability and everyone did fantastically and completed all the hikes without issue (some with poles some without). We all gelled really well and had a good laugh along the way.

Food was plentiful and I never found myself needing to dip into my snack bars. On some days breakfast was much simpler than others but there was still plenty to eat. I cannot comment for dietary resections, although there is a lot of bread on offer so it’s worth noting if you don’t eat it. Days 2 and 3 at Ana’s had particularly fantastic breakfast spreads. I enjoyed the local dishes despite some of them seeming a little odd ‘on paper’ they were all tasty. A special nod to the Pocharia 5 minutes down the road from Ana’s too. Well worth the visit as it served the best poncho we had on the island, leaving a few of us a little giddy for dinner that night!

You need to swap stuff in and out of your main luggage and pack depending on the days requirements so leave a bit of room in your main luggage to do so. I overpacked and didn’t use some of the items I took and had to ram everything back in my bag each day when we moved hotels.

Awesome trip.

Wow, what an amazing experience! Well organised and great communication from the MBA team from start to finish. The WhatsApp group that was set up enabled us to communicate and meet up prior to the official trip starting which was a great bonus for anyone arriving early.

I would say that the “challenging” difficulty grade of this trip is accurate. The first day started with a 45 minute steep climb and day 2 was a 3 hour climb through the forrest. While a lot of the trails are not difficult in technical terms, they are difficult just due to the very steep ascents/descents. The trail we did on our last day of hiking was a very steep staircase down the side of a mountain that ended up being quite slippy as it had rained that day. Our group had a good level of fitness and were well matched but we all found the last day a challenging hike. If you are afraid of heights or get vertigo, I would take this into account.

Despite the itinerary being slightly modified due to the recent wildfires, I do not feel like we missed out in anyway. Puedro made adjustments depending on the weather and was a superb guide. Managing the group exceptionally well at all times. His knowledge of the island history, plant life and passion for the outdoors shone through the whole week.

The highlight was the hike to the mountain hut and sleep over. It really bonded the group, a unique and special element of the trip which I will remember fondly. Waking up to see the sunrise was a magical experience.

Practical tips - bring enough walking kit for each day, you often get wet or muddy and drying kit in hotels is not possible due to damp environments or lack of radiators. Take layers, flip flops and a warm hat for the mountain hut. We stayed in November and it was cold over night. A sleeping bag was not necessary but more layers would have been useful. Head torch is not required, your phone torch suffices. I took a mat to sit on for lunches but did not use it, there are always benches and rocks to perch on. UV can be high so a sun hat and suncream even when overcast is required. Weather is changeable, pack your day sack for all eventualities. The hotels improve as the week goes on. All hotels were clean and practical.

Throughly recommend this trip and trying the local tipple poncha!

We had an amazing week, different environments each day and all were beautiful.

This trip exceeded expectations. Madeira is a stunning location with a fabulous range of scenery and flora. The walks were challenging - as advertised - but the views made the exertion worthwhile. Yulia, our guide was excellent - on top of every detail, always making sure that we were all OK, and full of information about the area and the history. It was a pleasure to be part of the group.

Unbelievable and breathtaking regardless of what the weather is doing. Our guide Yulia was excellent she is so passionate about the island and is a lot of fun

This trip was absolutely amazing and well organized. I booked with a group of friends after seeing how beautiful the island of Madeira is online, and I could not have asked for a better experience. Pedro, our guide, was extremely kind and very passionate about Madeira. He shared a lot of knowledge with the group and made sure to check on everyone. I am more of a novice hiker and haven’t had much experience hiking trails of this difficulty, and he was so patient with me!

I would say that the “challenging” difficulty grade of this trip is accurate. While a lot of the trails are not difficult in technical terms (they are well marked and are mostly paved with large rocks), they are difficult just due to the very steep ascents/descents. In particular the trail we did on our last day of hiking was a very steep staircase down the side of a mountain that ended up being quite slick as it had rained that day. If you are afraid of heights or get vertigo, I would take this into account.

The group I went with was also amazing! Everyone was so supportive of each other and encouraging whenever anyone was struggling. Despite the itinerary being slightly modified due to the recent wildfires, I don’t think anyone felt like we were missing out on anything.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone and in particular would like to commend Pedro again for being such an amazing/guide for our group. I’m very thankful for the experience I was able to share with my friends old and new!

Whilst the trip was well organised i think the guide did not take into account the need of the group as a whole, and needed to do a more gentle warm up on day one morning, rather than straight up steps, resulting in me having issues with my IS band on my leg, and physiotherapy appointment back in the UK. This was very disappointing as I am a reasonably fit person. As a result of this i was not able to participate in all of the activities.

Perfectly organised hiking trip across this beautiful island. Good balance of time on feet and chilling at the accommodation. Great food throughout the trip. A good level of fitness is needed to navigate the steep up/ downhills. Definitely a good idea to visit in October (off season). Our trip was slightly modified because of the recent wildfire damage but still absolutely amazing! The short transfers between hikes and accommodation were nothing to moan about. Our guide Puedro did a fantastic job to show us around. Thanks!