Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira

I was lucky enough to recently experience the Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira and I am so glad I did- this trip has been epic. A week of hiking through the most amazing scenery. The may have been rain on occasion but the weather was warm so this did not impact us at all as we had the brilliant Andre to lead, guide and accommodate us at every step. Every day was a highlight but I have to say I really loved the mountain lodge, getting our sunrise view and then climbing up to the ridge to get some spectacular views. I was in a group of ten and was so lucky to be teamed with the most fabulous people who were so much fun. We all the best time. Everything about the trip was incredible- the organisation, the team leader Andre, the intinerary. I cannot praise Andre and Much Better Adventure enough. Thank you for giving us the most epic adventure!!!! The is my fourth MBA trip and can’t wait to get booked for my next trip!!!

Cannot speak highly enough of my experience in Madeira with MBA last week. The group of ten felt like the perfect size (full of wonderful, welcoming humans who got along well and supported each other the whole way), the accommodations/food were lovely, and our guide, Andre, was a true delight every step of the way. He was excellent at improvising routes based on weather changes, kept us laughing the entire week, and enriched us with the island's history throughout. Our local host, Jorge, was also extremely kind, accommodating, and went the extra mile to ensue things ran smoothly the entire trip.

We had some substantial rain early on, but our group didn't feel it detracted from the trip whatsoever and actually allowed for some less-crowded routes. It also made the days of sun feel that much more rewarding!! I've seen some previous less positive reviews with complaints for route changes based on weather and the recent wildfires--I would encourage anyone looking to book the trip to access the information readily available on the booking page. I think my entire group felt fully informed coming into the trip and felt any adjustments made for just as lovely of a hike.

As a fairly experienced hiker having never trekked with poles before I was dubious of the need, but will fully admit they came in great handy for the days with steep ascents and descents (of which there are multiple). For those with a fair level of fitness/hiking experience I would say most of the hikes were moderate to challenging, though the weather, steep descents, and/or less experience would definitely push some of them into the fairly challenging category. I believe the longest hike had us out for a total of ~7-8 hours, with the shortest being 5-6h. Andre was also great at adjusting to allow those with faster paces to walk ahead while making sure no one was left behind.

All in all I cannot say enough positive things about this trip. I believe a positive, flexible group attitude and our excellent guide only enhanced every single aspect of the experience. This was my first trip with MBA, but certainly will not be my last.

My son Sonny and I had the absolute privilege of joining the Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira with Much Better Adventures — and what an incredible experience it was from beginning to end. It was everything you could hope for in an adventure: challenging, beautiful, deeply rewarding, and full of moments we’ll remember forever.

From the very first day, it was clear that this trip was something special. The organisation, communication, and attention to detail from Much Better Adventures were first-class. Every transfer, meal, and accommodation was thoughtfully planned, allowing us to focus entirely on soaking up the magic of Madeira. And what a place Madeira is! The island is breathtaking in every sense — an ever-changing tapestry of lush forests, dramatic ridgelines, and sweeping ocean views. One moment you’re hiking through ancient laurel forests wrapped in mist, the next you’re cresting volcanic peaks with the Atlantic stretching endlessly on both sides. The variety of landscapes is astonishing, and the warmth of the local people makes it all the more special. Every village felt welcoming, every view somehow more spectacular than the last.

Our guide, Andrei, deserves special mention — he was simply outstanding. His knowledge of the island’s geography, history, and wildlife brought every step of the journey to life. He struck the perfect balance between professionalism and fun, always ensuring we were safe, well-informed, and inspired. His patience, positivity, and genuine love for Madeira made the trip flow effortlessly. He had that rare ability to make every member of the group feel supported, whatever their hiking pace or experience level.

And then there were our fellow travellers — what an amazing group of people. Adventurous, kind, funny, and full of good spirit. They turned this trip from a great hike into a truly memorable shared experience. There were countless moments of laughter on the trail, encouragement during the steeper climbs, and that wonderful sense of camaraderie that only forms when you’ve achieved something meaningful together. By the end of the week, it felt like we’d all known each other for years.

For Sonny and me, this was more than just a walking holiday — it was a real adventure and a special father-son experience we’ll cherish for a long time. From sunrise on Pico do Arieiro to the final descent toward the ocean, every day brought something extraordinary. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough — for the beauty of Madeira, the care and professionalism of Much Better Adventures, and the warmth and expertise of Andrei and the whole team. If you’re looking for a journey that will challenge, inspire, and stay with you long after you return home, the Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira is it.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made it unforgettable — Andrei, our wonderful hiking group, and of course, the magnificent island of Madeira itself. We left with tired legs, full hearts, and a promise to return.

What an awesome week! The hikes were challenging but so beautiful! We got to see so many different parts of the island. Our group was fantastic, Isabel was an amazing tour guide, and everything was so well organized. Highly recommend!

Have just returned from an incredible week in Maderia. Everything, even the rain which was warm, was perfect. Andre, our guide, was fantastic who shared his infectious passion and incredible knowledge of the island. He was considerate to all our needs with a brilliant sense of humour. Our safety was paramount and I have no doubt that the weather conditions gave him cause for concern through the week. The group size of ten was perfect and we all bonded and worked together well. There were so many highlights on this trek from the brilliant group to lush valleys, bubbling levadas and epic hikes. However, the sunrise on Pico Ruivo and the mountain lodge were stunning. Accomodation And food were all fantastic and we never went hungry. If you are thinking of booking, think no more. . . just do it. You will not regret it.

Had a great experience hiking in Madeira! Isabel was a fantastic guide and was so knowledgeable about the biodiversity of the island. Hikes were well organised and we were given plenty of great good. The mountain ‘hut ‘ was a particular highlight. Gorgeous sunrises, sunsets and mountainous/ coastal views! A great escape into the outdoors !

Fantastic trip. Madeira is absolutely stunning – the scenery is spectacular and varies from dramatic coastlines to lush forests to rugged mountain peaks. The trip was well organised and Joao was an excellent guide.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the mountain hut, but I was pleasantly surprised – hot showers, WiFi and plenty of great food. The location meant we were able to see the sun set over the island from Pico Ruivo, then get up early and go back for an unforgettable breathtaking sunrise.

The hikes were about the right level of difficulty for me – there's plenty of ascent/descent sometimes in hot/humid conditions, but most days we were finished by mid-afternoon (hardcore hikers may find this trip more "Moderate" than "Challenging").

I definitely didn't go hungry – huge breakfasts to get you ready for the day ahead and I loved trying the local dishes like scabbard fish with banana, espetada (meat skewers) and drinking ponchas.

Overall a really great trip and a great way to see Madeira.

Absolutely fantastic. The guides were great and very knowledgeable about the island, routes were great, food was a small but especially excellent part of it. The pace worked very well for the group, and the guides made sure that we didn't get too split up. Was really one of the best hiking holidays of my life. (Warning, there was a lot of steep descent, so poles & decent degree of knee strength is required. )

An incredible hiking holiday with spectacular views and challenging hikes. Isabel was a great tour leader setting a good pace and being informative when needed.

This was my first hiking holiday ever and I went from feeling overwhelmed to enjoying every minute. It is challenging terrain but we had a lovely group and the more experienced hikers patiently waited when needed. We were lucky to have two guides and Joao and Isabel were constantly checking in and making sure everything was going well

This is an excellent way to experience the magic of this island

We just finished a week in Madeira with Isabel. Isabel is a great guide, always making sure we had what we needed, and kept things running smoothly. The trip was very well organized for the most part. There were some longer vehicle transfers due to road and trail closures, but the majority of the days were spent hiking. The hikes weren't too long, but they had significant ascents or descents. No trail was too technical, but people felt poles were helpful. We were provided with so much food during meal times that I didn't even finish my trail snacks I brought with.

If you like a good challenging walk in a beautiful place (i. e. most of us) then this is for you. Madeira is stunningly beautiful and the local company that MBA uses was really organised. Joåo and Isabel were fantastic guides for the week and clearly the route has been very well researched and they have got it down to a fine art. The weather can be changeable depending on your luck but in general the showers never last for long if they come at all. The scenery provides some amazing diversity and contrasts with a few really interesting micro-climates and, as I keep saying, it's a very beautiful place! The accommodation was decent and the food good, and sometimes great. A fantastic little week long trip to get some headspace and some exercise.

An absolutely fantastic week. Stunning views just like the brochure and a really lovely group to be with. The rainforest walks were particularly special. And of course our guides who were excellent !! Well done MBA !!

Madeira is an incredibly beautiful, unique island that will live up to your expectations and more. We had a great group that got on really well. 10 is a really sensible number for a hiking trip. Our guide, Margarida, was superb, and her passion for hiking and Madeira was infectious. She was great at enabling everyone to walk at their own pace without feeling slowed down or, conversely, rushed. The weather was very varied for us and we had two extremely wet days, so make sure you have decent waterproofs, including trousers and a bag cover, and walking poles are useful to help with the long decents in the rain when the terrain can be slippery. In terms of the accommodation, the mountain hut was the most enjoyable place we stayed and it served the best food. I'd definitely recommend this trip, but I think the trip notes should be clearer that due to the wild fires contingencies are in place for a few parts of some of the walks and the group will need to get a private bus on a few occasions to rejoin the hike at an accessible part. In terms of difficulty I would rate this trip between moderate and challenging. It may well merit a challenging rating when all hiking sections are accessible, but for hikers with a reasonable fitness who have prepared for the trip it is not challenging as it currently stands.

Madeira was absolutely stunning, but very very steep. This is a challenging trip. I probably wasn’t fit enough, but Joao was brilliant and helped me along the way. The accommodation is mixed and the mountain hut a definite highlight

My first visit to Madeira and it does not disappoint. Our group got on really well and Margarida was friendly, a very experienced hiker and had an open approach to our trip. We hiked on average 4-5 hours a day with lunch stops. So quite a bit of downtime.

Due to the wild fires the daily itinerary has changed and there are longer transfers required. Given this is an on going issue the website should be amended. Changing hotels most nights is not great especially if you get rain like us and you cannot dry out clothes that easily.

I would recommend this trip and also lots of practice climbing and descending stairs in preparation.

Great guide, great group, beautiful island. Weather in the mountains was definitely different from what I imagined and fairly wet!

We had an amazing trip with some amazing people, and our guide Margarida was fantastic . We were fed well the whole trip and appreciated dietary requirements being met. The accommodation was all entirely satisfactory and the mountain lodge and hotel in Porto Moniz were particularly good. The views from the accommodation at Valley View were spectacular. Organisation and communication were good before and during the trip. If I could award 3. 5 stars I feel this would be an honest rating for the following reasons:

The group consensus was that we thought we were largely tracking the Coast to Coast route and moved accommodation in a linear way because of this. Reality was we moved accommodation daily (besides one night) and rode a minibus to and from start and end points. On one day this was an hours drive. It meant we could have stayed in just one or two places rather than having to pack up each morning. On day 2 and day 3 we had finished walking by 2pm and 1. 30pm which meant a lot of down time with little to do. We would have preferred longer walking days. I appreciate that the fires have changed some of the original itinerary, but as these were over a year I would have expected perhaps a new itinerary by now to compensate for the path closures. I would rate the walking loosely as intermediate as most of our group agreed it was not challenging.

Fantastic place, Pedro was a great guide

I had the BEST week. The routes were difficult and the weather changes constantly but the scenery is stunning. Moving up through the island the landscape changes so much. I got so lucky with the group I was with, everyone was just SO lovely and made the experience amazing. Our leader João was fantastic - really knowledgeable (from the island himself) , super organised and made the trip seamless.

Well-organized tour including good mix of mountain and Levada scenery. We were well-fed all the time and Joao was very good at keeping us on track . We had an excellent group and we enjoyed the camaraderie.

I had the privilege of joining hiking trip in Madeira with Much Better Adventures, and it exceeded all expectations. The itinerary was thoughtfully designed, showcasing the island’s most spectacular landscapes — from dramatic mountain ridges to serene green valleys and sweeping ocean views.

Equally impressive was the overall atmosphere: excellent company, a welcoming and positive group dynamic and a very proffesional guide named Peudro that took great care of us throughout. The experience was rounded off with comfortable clean accommodation and outstanding local food.

For anyone seeking a well-curated balance of nature, companionship, and authentic cultural touches, I can wholeheartedly recommend ”Coast to Coast Transverse of Madeira”

This was my fourth MBA trip. Like the other three, this was marked "challenging", but I found the activities underwhelming.

We were unlucky with the weather, but this wasn't the main issue. Overall, there wasn't enough interesting hiking. The first three days are listed as 7h of hiking. But in fact for our group it was <4. 5h, including a full lunch break. The number of transfers made it feel less purposeful, more like five unrelated day hikes. Perhaps with the original route before the wildfires would have felt like more of a 'traverse'.

Our guide also cancelled the 'spectacular' cliff hike on the first full day based on a second- or third-hand anecdote about hearing distant rockfall. This seemed inappropriately risk-averse for an adventure holiday. We ended up in a bar on the beach with a view of other groups completing the cliff traverse in perfect sunny weather with no problems.

On a more positive note, though the wildfires have prevented crossing the whole central ridge, spending 1. 5h on the "Stairway to Heaven" section was still enjoyable and impressive. The hotels were very good, and the mountain hut was unusually luxurious for its location. I really enjoyed the food, especially the fish and the fruit, sometimes even served together! Madeira and other Portuguese wines and local 'ponchas' were also delicious and reasonably-priced everywhere.

The guide was not engaging with the group at all. On the longest day of the trip, we hardly stopped and he rushed us back to the hotel in order to get his kids from school. The last 2 days was downhill for 2-3h. Again he was not checking on us while the hike down was very slippery. Also the route was altered because of wild fire (that took place 2 years ago but the website wasn't updated). Luckily the group was amazing and we took care of each other. I would not recommend this trip to anyone.

We had a fantastic time with Magarida as our guide! She was knowledgable, fun, and made the trip fantastic. Food options for vegans with allergies were a bit of an issue. Was given salad in a bun for the first lunch, when everyone else had some source of protein. Another day, I was given the previous evenings dinner for breakfast and lunch, which was cold chick peas, some vegetables and a salad. Not the best. That being said, except from a few disappointing meals, I was given vegan burgers in a bun for lunches. Most of the dinners were acceptable, if not a little plain. I'd recommend taking your own protein bars and snacks for lunches just in case! otherwise, hotels well basic but good, all of them were 3 stars. The hut was closed so we couldn't stay overnight, which was a shame, and made the sunrise just in time. Thanks!

What an incredible trip. Margerida was an excellent guide, the group was so much fun, and Madeira is just magical. I think the modified itinerary because of the fires, while still beautiful, isn’t as challenging as the original itinerary. So if you’re looking for a challenge maybe consider a different trip until the original trails reopen. Overall though excellent trip and very good value.

Everything was meticulously planned and seamlessly delivered by the brilliant MBA team – not a detail overlooked, no hikers left behind (even after a few ponchas!).

Our wonderful guide, Margarida, was a total gem – warm, friendly, endlessly patient, and genuinely passionate about her island. She led us along an amazing variety of trails: from dramatic clifftop paths with sweeping ocean views, to enchanted lush green forests, peaceful Levadas, and the odd tunnel or two, before a sunrise hike to one of Madeira’s highest peaks – nothing short of magical. Standing on top of the world watching the first light spill across the clouds was a memory I’ll treasure forever.

Lunches were a daily delight. Thoughtfully prepared and delicious, they catered well for our mixed group, which included a vegan and a coeliac. There was always plenty to go around, and we were well-fuelled for our adventures.

Hotel accommodation was excellent overall – clean, comfortable rooms, great facilities, and tasty food to reward weary legs at the end of each day. The only hiccup was the two-night stay at the rural hotel Quinta. While the food was good and most of the staff were friendly, the proprietor herself seemed to be auditioning for a role in Hotel Misery. She somehow managed to turn the simplest request into a Shakespearean tragedy, and despite the hotel advertising a pool, she mysteriously refused to allow us access. It's a shame, really, because the setting had potential – but the vibe was less “rustic charm” and more “grumpy aunt's spare room. ” My only suggestion to MBA would be to either reduce this to a one-night stop or find alternative accommodation with a hotel that values their customers.

That said, this one grumpy interlude did nothing to dampen the spirit of what was a truly unforgettable adventure. Madeira is an island of rare beauty, and thanks to the care and expertise of the MBA team – and the good company of the group – I left with tired legs, a full heart, and too many photos of misty peaks. Highly recommend!

It is one of the most highly rated trips on MBA for a good reason. The hikes are varied and well-paced, wonderful food and accommodation. Our guide, Margarida, made our trip unforgettable with her kindness and her professional guiding skills. It was beautiful to experience all types of weather in one day as you traverse the many landscapes Madeira has to offer. A special highlight for me was when we climbed Pico de Aireiro in the howling wind and fog, yet when the clouds opened, we felt the most rewarded. All in all, a wonderful experience!!

We had an Amazing group of people on the trek! Technically the hike was not difficult, but there are many stairs to climb! Puedro was an amazing guide and I would absolutely recommend his guidance

I completed the five day hike across Madeira with the wonderful Margarida as the guide. The scenery was spectacular and the planning was impeccable. It was a bit more challenging than I expected - definitely fits its rating. Hotels were of a very good standard and food provided was very good. The company was agile in navigating restrictions in place but what stood out was Margarida who was so knowledgeable, caring and very aware of safety and hazards - there aren’t many at all but she was always thinking of these. Would recommend completely. There are some really marvelous sights on this tour.