I’d heard Madeira described in so many ways before visiting, the “island of eternal spring,” a “hiker’s paradise,” even “Europe’s Hawaii.” So when the opportunity came up to join KE’s bestselling Levada Trails and Peaks of Madeira holiday, I knew it was finally time to see what all the excitement was about. With its famously mild climate, dramatic scenery and network of well-maintained trails, it didn’t take long to realise there’s truly no better way to experience Madeira than on foot and more to the point than on this bestselling KE adventure.

I’d like to say that I didn’t have high expectations of Madeira before going, but that wasn’t the case at all. In fact, I’d heard so many good glowing reports that my expectations were already pretty high and yet somehow, the island still managed to exceed them. Madeira comes up often in conversations around our office; it’s one of our most popular walking destinations and a place you can visit year-round, making it the perfect escape from long and cold winters at home. Given this, even before I had the chance to visit it was clear to me that Madeira might be one of the best walking destinations in Europe. Still, experiencing the landscapes and trails in person was far more dramatic and breathtaking than I ever imagined...

At the beginning of the week on our first walk, our guide André pointed toward the highest mountain in Madeira, smiled and clicked his fingers. He told us that the next time he did that, we’d be standing right at the top. At that moment, it felt light-years away, we still had a week of hiking ahead, exploring Madeira’s incredible landscapes from coast to summit, before we’d finally reach that peak.

The walks that unfolded in the week were incredibly varied, each day’s walk felt like a completely new adventure from the last. One day we were walking through laurel forests and the next I was tracing narrow paths along dramatic coastal cliffs. It's also pretty steep in places which can wreak havoc on your knees. The cliffs rise sharply out of the Atlantic Ocean, creating a landscape that feels both wild and breathtakingly beautiful. Though the paths are well-maintained, often paved and sometimes even like steps or staircases, to avoid the above it's wise to bring hiking poles along. It'll make a huge difference on those long ascents and descents! 

What I found when I was in Madeira and one of the reasons I think it really is a special walking destination, is the incredible diversity that I encountered on such a small island. Within just a few hours of walking, I transitioned from subtropical vegetation at lower elevations to alpine-like conditions near the peaks. The famous levadas - historic irrigation channels that crisscross the island - provided some of the most unique walking experiences I've ever had. These narrow pathways carved into mountainsides offer relatively flat routes through otherwise impossibly steep terrain, taking us deep into valleys and tunnels. The engineering behind them is remarkable and dates back centuries. The microclimates you pass through are fascinating too - one moment I was in the sunshine and the next in mist, unable to see a few meters ahead. It's this constant variety that keeps every single moment of walking fresh and exciting.

One thing that really stood out about this holiday was how brilliantly it ticked off Madeira's unmissable highlights, the ones that flood your social media - like Levada Do Risco (pictured above) and Pico Ruivo. Both are understandably popular and for good reason, they're incredible! But here's where it got interesting: some of the walks we did I'd never stumbled across on my pre-trip research rabbit hole and these hidden gems turned out to be some of the most memorable days of the trip. The itinerary stuck a brilliant balance, weaving together those famous trails with quieter, often tougher routes where we had the landscape completely to ourselves.

On our last day, I must say there was something comical about walking for hours without seeing a soul, only to arrive at a car park near the summit, where tourists casually snapped their photos looking rather glamorous! But honestly, there was a real sense of achievement knowing we'd earned those incredible views the harder way - starting from the near bottom and watching the landscape unfold with every step upward.

Not only was I experiencing Madeira for the first time, but I was also discovering the joys of joining a small group adventure - something I'd never done before and had been missing out on. Being part of a guided group (some of who are pictured above!) added a whole new dimension to the experience. Each walk became a shared adventure with plenty of laughs along the way and the kind of camaraderie that made the steep climbs feel a whole lot easier. It was those small and unexpected moments that elevated the whole experience and turned great walks into genuinely memorable days.

And just like that, André snapped his fingers again - and there we were, standing at the top of the highest mountain in Madeira. It felt surreal to think back to the start of the week when that moment was just a promise in the distance. Looking out across the island, with clouds drifting below us, it all came together. You could even see some of our previous walks from the viewpoint. This moment was a highlight of Madeira I'd found in many pre-planning searches and it more than lived up to its reputation.

Joining KE’s Levada Trails and Peaks of Madeira holiday wasn't just a way to explore the island - it was the way to do it properly. The itinerary is so well thought out, taking in all the highlights and equally beautiful quieter trails with all the logistics handled seamlessly. Then there's André, our guide, who elevated the entire experience. His local knowledge, encouragement and enthuasiasm added incredible depth. This wasn't simply a walking holiday but a complete immersion into the landscapes of Madeira. For anyone wanting to truly see the island from every possible angle, even the unknown ones, this adventure is without a doubt the very best way to do it.