Coast to Coast Traverse of Madeira

Wildfires in Madeira in August 2024 affected the trails to Pico Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, and also the Encumeada region. Trails normally used on Day 4 (Poiso to Pico Ruivo) and Day 5 (Pico Ruivo to Encumeada) have been partially closed since the fires. Safety comes first, and due to the current lack of vegetation on these trails, the risk of collapse is still very high, making them dangerous to use. The local authorities have been making progress towards reopening the trails, and they are anticipated to reopen at some point in 2026, but no fixed completion date has been confirmed as yet (updated May 2026).

Your host in Madeira plans to re-establish the original trekking routes as soon as these trails open; but for now, there is a contingency plan in place as follows:

Day 4: Poiso – Pico Arieiro – Pedra Rija stairway – Pico Arieiro – transfer to Achada Teixeira – Pico Ruivo

Day 5: Pico Ruivo – Levada Caldeirão Verde – Santana – transfer to Encumeada

These are not substantial changes, and we are certain that they still offer a very similar overall experience for our groups. Aside from the adjustments to Day 4 and Day 5, the rest of the itinerary remains unchanged. Your host appeals for an understanding of this situation.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks, to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip, depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Madeiran and Portuguese cuisine is rooted in simple, hearty cooking shaped by the Atlantic climate and centuries of rural traditions. Meals often centre around grilled meats, fresh fish and seafood, vegetables, soups and bread, with olive oil, garlic and herbs used generously. In Madeira, dishes such as vegetable soups, stews, grilled fish, salads and side dishes are common, and meals are typically straightforward and filling rather than heavily processed.

While Portugal is not traditionally as plant-based as some Mediterranean countries, vegetarian and lactose-free diets are increasingly well understood. Vegan and gluten-free options are available but can be more limited and at times repetitive, particularly in smaller or more traditional restaurants. Your guide will help communicate your requirements, but it’s important to be flexible and prepared, especially in more rural or remote areas of the island.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian

-Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While many traditional Portuguese dishes include meat or fish, vegetarian options are available and may include vegetable soups, salads, omelettes, rice and bean dishes, grilled vegetables, cheese, bread, and side dishes prepared with olive oil and herbs. Restaurants are generally happy to adapt dishes where possible however, please note that vegetarian diets are not common in rural Madeira, so meal options in certain locations can be basic, repetitive and lacking in protein. Packed lunches are carefully prepared under the guidance of your local host, so are always of good quality and variety.

Vegan

-Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Options may include vegetable soups (without meat stock), salads, rice, grilled or sautéed vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and dishes prepared with olive oil, garlic and herbs. However, vegan-specific options are much more limited than vegetarian ones, particularly in traditional eateries, so flexibility is important and you should be aware that meal options can be basic, repetitive and lacking in protein. Packed lunches are carefully prepared under the guidance of your local host, so are always of good quality and variety. Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher

-Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are extremely rare in Madeira and therefore a Kosher diet cannot be accommodated on this trip. Vegetarian or vegan options are often the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal

-Certified Halal meat is generally not available in Madeira. Vegetarian or vegan options are often the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below)

-Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, options will be more limited than for those without dietary requirements. Portuguese cuisine frequently includes bread, pastries and flour-based products, and awareness of cross-contamination can vary. Meals will typically rely on naturally gluten-free foods such as grilled fish or meat, vegetables, rice, potatoes, salads and vegetables rather than specialist substitutes. Lunch boxes are however carefully prepared under the guidance of your local host, so are always of good quality and variety. Gluten-free specialist products are generally limited outside major supermarkets, so please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose Free

-Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While dairy products such as cheese, butter and milk are commonly used, many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can be prepared without dairy. These include grilled fish or meats, vegetable soups, rice dishes, vegetables, salads and vegetables prepared with olive oil rather than butter or cream. Lunch boxes are carefully prepared under the guidance of your local host, so are always of good quality and variety. Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

The tap water on Madeira is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the hotels, public fountains and at restaurants to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.

You can leave any excess luggage with your host for the duration of the adventure.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Madeira enjoys a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, usually with sunshine throughout most of the year. The driest and hottest months are between June and September and the wettest period is between October and April. Whilst the south of the island and coast are usually sunnier, colder temperatures, fog, or low clouds can be expected in the interior of the island and high peaks so it's important to come equipped for all weather conditions (see our kit list for more information).

The weather in the mountains can be pretty unpredictable with rain and cold temperatures likely at any time of the year and especially at higher altitude above 1500m. The best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with layers of clothing, sunscreen and waterproofs. Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and will suggest alternative, safer hiking routes should the weather get really bad.