Cliffs and Rivers of Santana
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Santana
Arrive at your hotel nestled in the middle of nature with a sea view on one side and mountains behind. This is the perfect base in the north-east of the island, near Santana, to be close to the variety that Madeira has to offer. Within half an hour’s drive you will find yourself at a viewing platform in the mountains, on the famous cliff coast, or the colourful market in Funchal.
Days 2-4 – Exploring Madeira
You now have a few days to learn the benefits of staying in the middle of this area of the levadas (old irrigation canals)….it is the hiking mecca of Madeira. In less than half an hour you can drive to Ribeiro Frio, the starting point of several hiking trails in the area, one of which is to the Los Balcoes viewing platform. Alternatively, head to the Sao Lourenco peninsula with its dramatic cliff-lined coast making it one of the best walks in the area. For something more extreme, there’s mountain biking, canyoning or coasteering or spend half a day learning to surf.
Day 4 – Time to leave
Today your time in this fascinating, and perhaps a little tiring, part of the island comes to an end. You can either head west for some more surfing or if the fun has come to an end, the airport is only about a thirty minute drive away.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Canyoning excursion
The north-east coast of Madeira is home to the most fantastic cliffs and waterfalls for abseiling, or canyoning. Whether you are a beginner or already have some experience, there a routes that will be suitable for everyone in your group. You will be given good equipment and your guide will explain to you exactly how everything works. It’s a real adventure and you’ll get to see areas that are off the beaten track and much harder to access than the normal walking routes, making it a much more personal experience. After a few hours of all this action, you will head back at your hotel in the afternoon.
