This walk connects Machico to Porto da Cruz through an old footpath once used by the local people to move from one place to another to do exchange business.
Pick up from the hotel. The walk starts in the Levada dos Maroços, so the first part of the route is easy walking along a Levada followed with Mimosa trees and agricultural lands. After enjoying the views over Machico city, we go up a trail to reach the viewpoint of Boca do Risco, where a superb view awaits us over the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Ponta de São Lourenço, the Penha d’Aguia and, if the weather permits, The Porto Santo Island. After a short stop to refresh, we continue our walk towards Porto da Cruz, by a coastal path with fascinating views and where you can observe some endemic specimens of Madeira.
The route is quite narrow and vertiginous, being slippery during the wetter months, that’s why this trail is recommended for people used to hiking. On our way to Porto da Cruz you can see one of the most iconic rock formations of Madeira, Penha D’Aguia. After our walk we will stop at the center of Porto da Cruz, here you can visit the famous sugar cane mill, where they extract the juice of the sugar cane for the confection of the brandy “aguardente” or of the honey cane that will lead to our typical honey cake.
Distance: approx. 12 Km, difficulty level: moderate; hiking duration: approx. 4 hours.
Comfortable outfit and trekking shoes are recommended.
