Walking The Levadas For the majority of this trip you’ll find yourself walking along the island’s levadas. These are an extensive network of irrigation channels that follow the natural contours of the land through dense laurel forests to the fertile agricultural land nearer the coast. The levadas were built by the first settlers to water their sugar and banana plantations. Natural Beauty & Funchal Although a relatively small island, Madeira is famous for its geographic diversity. From the stunning coastal cliffs of the North to the hidden valleys of the interior and the high moors - you will be surprised by new wonders every day. On your final day in Funchal you’ll have the option to visit interesting gardens and probably sample the other speciality of the island - Madeira wine. Comfort Level The aim of this holiday is to explore the island on foot. Involving full day walks, this is a ‘moderate’ walking holiday. There are sections of ascent and descent, but much of the walking is along reasonably gentle watercourses. Responsible Travel You stay in locally-run hotels and eat in local restaurants. These are part of the fabric of the community in Madeira and bring income and visitors to different parts of the island. The local trekking guides used in Madeira operate a voluntary system and they have a set of environmental guidelines that they work with | 
