Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira

A good week however and Madiera is a truly spectacular place to visit. Highlight was the starry night at the Mountain Hut.

Whilst it was a trip as described, there did seem to be a lot of taxi transfers to the hiking points whereas better choice of accommodation would have been appreciated.

Those with special diets really struggled with the quality of the food given.

Had an absolute blast on this trip. As a first timer, I was a little hesitant about how the group dynamic would be - no idea why, the guys and girls were an absolute delight to be around. Our guide Joào was also top notch and went the extra mile to accommodate. If you're interested in really seeing Madeira and avoiding the tourist traps, then this trip is for you. Will definitely be travelling with MBA again!

Great hike through Madeira with a lovely bunch of similar minded people. The highlights were the two mountain days before and after we stayed in the mountain hut, and the views from Pico Ruivo at sunset and sunrise were stunning. There were also opportunities to swim in the sea on some of the days which was great. The accommodation was all very nice. I didn't find the hiking too hard, I could definitely have walked further each day, but after all it was a holiday so it was good to have some time to chill when we got in! And there was always the option to go to a bar to sample the local rum drink 'Poncha'.

Pedro really gave us the full Madeiran experience. We had the best week, packed with gorgeous hikes, wonderful food (especially the delicious local black scabbard fish), comfortable accommodation all week, and just so much fun and laughter.

I really feel like we saw the very best of what beautiful Maderia has to offer, and the hikes were challenging yet enjoyable. Everything was so well planned and organised, so we could really relax and enjoy. We had a great group and all got on so well. This was my second trip with MBA, and am looking forward to the next!

Madeira is simply an amazing island for hiking. Our guide Pedro had it all well planned and we had a blast of an experience! Pedro Pedro Pedro, P P P! 🎵🎶 🙌😂 It was my first time traveling with MBA and I am positively impressed 👏👏

This was my second time in Madeira, and this trip did not disappoint. The hikes were varied and paced extremely well. I went with one friend, who I met on a previous MBA trip. We were part of a group of 10 x females, who all bonded extremely well within just a few days. I feel like I've made friends for life! Our guide, Pedro was excellent, he was informative about Madeira and really made sure we had a trip to remember! The hotels were to a good standard. All meals, especially the packed lunches exceeded expectations. One of my highlights was the mountain hut, which was less basic than expected. The morning sunrise was absolutely stunning.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who has a love for nature and hiking. I would also recommend spending some free time in funchal if you can.

An absolutely fantastic adventure in Madeira. Stunning views everywhere we went. The hikes were varied and although challenging they were achievable. Seeing the sunrise from the mountain hut was phenomenal. Our group was great - we got along so well. I went with two friends of mine and I would like to think I made many more on this trip. In terms of practical tips - the kit list is accurate, make sure you’ve got layers as the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. I would suggest bringing at least a sleeping bag liner for the mountain hut. The conditions in the hut are more basic (no hot water and electricity is off at 10pm); however, the rooms are spacious and have beds. This really is a fantastic adventure- book it, you won’t regret it!

I had an amazing time on this trip. Our group was an amazing group of all girls and we had such a fun time getting to know eachother over the week. Pedro, our guide, was brilliant- he paced the hikes to include everyone, was super knowledgeable and up for having a laugh with us. He is great at his job! The accommodations were good at the start of the trip and got better and and better throughout. As many other reviews have also said, the mountain hut is not very basic and even a cold shower is nice after a hot day of hiking. Madeira is incredibly beautiful and I can't wait to go back.

A fabulous trip. The hikes were stunning and our guide Nuno was very good. He gave us lots of information on the geology and the nature of the area. He made us laugh and was part of our group not just our guide. The food was generally good and plentyfull. The hotels were comfortable and the mountain hut was much better than expected. A great time.. Thankyou

An incredible week hiking coast to coast on a beautiful island.

🥾75km in 5 days ⛰️ Boca do Risco, Pico do Suna, Pico do Arieiro 🌄 Pico Ruivo

Levadas, Waterfalls, Laurel Forests, Natural Pools, Poncha, Wicker Toboggans; what a trip!

Take me back 🇵🇹

Where to even begin! What a fantastic holiday. We had the amazing Yulia who was flawless from start to finish. You can really tell this is her passion and she really went the extra mile to make a memorable trip. Her knowledge on the hikes for Madeira’s beautiful nature was so insightful and she always made sure everyone was cared for and safety was at the forefront. The food on the trip was really good and the surprise packed lunches each day was something to look forward too (please pass our thanks to the Bakery Jorge!!). You definitely won’t go hungry on this trip! The hikes were beautiful and at times challenging but definitely do able if you have reasonable fitness and have hiked before. We had a brilliant group which also helped to make a magical experience. The night at the hut is not as basic as presumed and the sunset/sunrise was something like we’ve never seen before. Some tips if you are going… bring flip flops for the mountain hut, nice to get out of your hiking boots! Would say poles are really good to bring and a flask for a cuppa to have with lunch would also be fab! All in all a fantastic trip, thank you MBA, would definitely recommend!

I would thoroughly recommend this fabulous hike across Madeira. There is nothing that the trip lacked - stunning scenery and beautiful views, plus plenty of variety hiking and some good ascents and descents. The stay at the mountain was a highlight and especially seeing the sunset. Lunches were excellent and there was plenty to keep us going through the day. Our guide, Yulia, was inspiring and knowledgeable. Her her passion for Madeira was infectious.

This was a great trip and Maderia is a beautiful island. I cannot recommend enough.

The trip and beauty of the island was amplified by our amazing guide Yulia. Her passion for the island and its history and flowers and plants really added an extra dimension to the dramatic scenary of the island.

Every days hike was different and showcased the different sides of the island. From the dramtic beauty of the stairway to heaven to walking through a cloud encased forest. From the sunset on the highest peak to swimming in the Atlantic on a black sandy beach. Each day was stunning. Brilliant.

The food was great with brilliant packed lunches to keep us going on the hikes. Add to that some great coffee stops, Pastel de Nata, Rum and not forgetting some Poncha made the days that little bit better.

This trip was amazing! The beauty of the island was amplified by our guide Yulia's passion for it. She was so knowledgable about all the plants and history and it was infectious. The sunsets were beautiful as well, being above the clouds on the highest peak...breathtaking. Yulia also ensured that our packed lunches were delicious!

Another excellent trip with MBA. Our guide, João, was very fun and knowledgeable on all the flora and fauna of the island! Food and accommodations were better than expected. Lunch was packed with care each day. You get to see so many parts of the island and experience all of the microclimates and terrains that Madeira has to offer. Some parts of the hikes were challenging for most but not impossible. Sunrise on Pico Ruivo was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Would highly recommend!

The island is beautiful. Our guide was great and able to tell us about the plants we were seeing and about the island and places in general. The walks were varied, also with a mixture of level and challenging steep sections. Our guide made sensible decisions with a group that walked at different speeds. The packed lunches were excellent too. It was nice all eating together

This was an amazing trip with epic adventures everyday !! The trails and scenery was incredible! Our guide João was so knowledgeable and fun while hiking us across the island.

Madeira is stunning and this walking tour definitely enabled the group to see it at its best. Our guides João and Jorge were great fun, but I particularly appreciated their efforts to keep the group safe (particularly when a storm was inbound). The accommodation exceeded expectations and the food was good.

Beautiful island explored with a fantastic group

Spectacular scenery, great routes and a fantastic group. The hiking is challenging (lots of steep ascents and descents) but not technical or loose ground. I found poles very useful. Most days were 5 - 6 hours of hiking. Sunrise and sunset at the mountain hut was a magical experience. The "hut" is much less basic than I expected (it has beds!), I'd recommend bringing a sleeping bag liner.

The vegan / veggie food was a bit sparse in some locations (even basic carbs/meal size) so I'd recommend bringing snacks and oats/extra breakfast food just in case.

I would highly recommend this trip. Madeira is a beautiful island. Great hikes, great scenery, great swims, lovely group and Pedro was a super guide. I particularly loved sunset and sunrise at the hut on Pico Ruivo! That was really special. Book it! It’s brilliant!

Beautiful route through an extraordinary landscape. Accommodation basic but perfectly adequate for hardy trekkers! Guide was knowledgeable and charming , very proud of his country and its culture. The size of group was 10 which worked out well , not too big …. And we were blessed with a group of similar ability which worked well. In terms of comparison with other companies organising trips like this I would say this wasn’t the best and felt overpriced for the quality of food and accommodation provided

Loved this trip! I have been on several MBA trips - mostly ‘challenging’ level. This was on the easy side of challenging, but a good work out nonetheless. Loved the guide & the group. Gorgeous island that I will definitely go back and visit again.

What a great trip. The island is stunning and the trip is beautifully organised. Highlight was definitely the night in the mountain which is not quite as basic as made out. Food was plentiful, and my gluten free diet was well catered for. I’d been warned breakfasts might be an issue so brought oats and had porridge every morning, but lunches and dinners were fine. Walking included some long ups and longs downs but days themselves weren’t too long. Loved finishing at on the beach on our last, very hot day. Scenery was stunning, group was great fun and Pedro our guide was brilliant. Can highly recommend and now looking to book my next MBA adventure.

From start to finish the trip was so well organised. Nuno our guide was fun, enthusiastic, encouraging and very knowledgeable about the island, trails, flora and fauna. The accomodation was comfortable for the nature of the trip and food was tasty, plentiful and kept us well fuelled for the hikes. The hiking was a good challenge on the ascents, mostly due to the heat (which it seems was high for time of year) and I'm certainly not used to with UK hiking!!

The highlight of the trip for me was the PR1 Pico to Pico trail and night in the mountain hut. The incredible views, food, sunset amd sunrise was an unforgettable experience.

Another highlight has to be the amazing group I was lucky to spend the experience with, including Nuno our guide. As a first solo trip and trip of this type for me, I was initially a little anxious about this aspect. I need not of worried as everyone, despite being diverse had a shared interest and we bonded quickly, spending our hikes learning about each other, motivating each other when needed and laughing together a lot.

Another fabulous trip from MBA. Madeira is a stunning island, lush and dramatic. The hikes were just the right length and challenge and the accommodation good. The company, as with the last trip, was brilliant- loads of fun and we immediately bonded - so important when you’re travelling on your own. I had a small injury and Nuno and Jorges really went the extra mile, ensuring that it was seen to immediately and I was able to rejoin the group at the first opportunity - it didn’t feel like I missed out on any of the holiday and I felt incredibly well looked-after. I think the whole group agreed that the highlights were the night at the mountain hut and Nuno’s brilliant guiding. Overall hugely recommend!

Overall amazing trip with lots of great scenery along the way. The hiking felt challenging in parts with some steep climbs and descents, but it never felt impossible or overlong. If you keep up a good pace it is possible to finish most days in around 5 hours including breaks.

Climbing up to Pico Aruivo and back down the next day were highlights for me. On the way up we passed the well-known stairway to heaven, the path is a little busy but the views are breathtaking. The stay at the mountain hut was unique and very cosy, we enjoyed seeing the sunset/sunrise from the peak. The way back down was on a much quieter path, still with some amazing views.

Our guide Julia was very knowledgeable and a fun character to be around. She has lived in Madeira for a long time so will be able to answer most questions you have about the trail, flora and fauna.

The only negative I would say about the trip was that many of the hotels felt a bit dated and didn't always have the comfiest beds or best showers. Personally I wouldn't have minded to pay a bit extra for some nicer options to stay. But it wasn't too big an issue considering that we weren't spending a lot of time at each hotel. Dinner options were good on the whole, I enjoyed the skewered beef and black scabbard fish.

In summary, I would highly recommend this trip for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness!

As a first-time participant in group hiking holidays, I couldn't have chosen a better experience than the Coast to Coast Transverse Hiking in Madeira with MuchBetterAdventures. From start to finish, every moment was an adventure, and I am beyond thrilled to share my glowing review.

The beauty of Madeira alone is awe-inspiring, but experiencing it through the lens of a transverse hike added an entirely new dimension to my appreciation. Our guide, who I must say was the epitome of excellence, not only led us through breathtaking trails but also infused every step with knowledge about the island's rich history, diverse flora, and captivating fauna. His passion for Madeira was contagious, and his ability to foster an immediate bond among our group was truly remarkable.

One of the highlights of this journey was the people we encountered along the way. Each interaction felt like a cherished memory in the making, and the camaraderie we shared was nothing short of magical.

The accommodations provided exceeded my expectations in every aspect. Comfortable, cozy, and perfectly situated to provide much-needed rest after a day of hiking, they truly felt like a home away from home.

What truly set MuchBetterAdventures apart was their meticulous attention to detail. From transportation to accommodation to meals, every aspect of our trip was expertly handled, leaving us free to focus solely on soaking in the wonders of Madeira. Our guide's unwavering support and dedication to ensuring our satisfaction were evident in every interaction, making us feel not just like clients, but like cherished friends.

I cannot commend MuchBetterAdventures highly enough for their outstanding communication throughout the booking process and beyond. They truly went above and beyond to make my dream of exploring Madeira a reality, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Lastly, I must mention the weather, which blessed us beyond measure throughout our journey. We couldn't have asked for more perfect conditions to traverse the stunning landscapes of Madeira.

In conclusion, if you're seeking an unforgettable adventure that combines breathtaking scenery, enriching experiences, and the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, look no further than MuchBetterAdventures. Thank you for making my dream come true!

PS. We were extremely lucky with the weather, but rain or shine, this experience would undoubtedly be worth every moment.

The island’s very beautiful and the hikes are grueling but doable by folks in decent shape. I do recommend doing this in cooler months - climbing under a blazing sun can be harder than it needs to - though this didn’t seem to bother the British (I was the sole American in a group comprised almost entirely of people from the UK). The first two days of hiking were meh and I would suggest mba replace them, but it was made up for in the remaining days with world class hikes. The food was unexpectedly great - even the packed lunches, which were a cut above the cold cuts I’ve seen in such trips. Our group was mostly solo travelers in the 30-50 age range, we got along great, and our guide Nuno was good natured and took care of us.

This was my first hike with MBA and it was great. Food, scenery and route were even better than expected. Our tour guide Nuno was fantastic. Very knowledgeable about the trail and Madeira in general. Very welcoming and laid back…….Highly recommend