Achada da Cruz Trail – Circular Route from Santana

This circular hike between Santana and São Jorge is one of those trails we really enjoyed – not because it has one big spectacular highlight, but because it combines so many different sides of Madeira and was wonderfully quiet when we walked it. The first part follows the north coast, with beautiful views of the Atlantic and the green cliffs. You’ll pass Quinta do Furão, a hotel in a spectacular location right on the cliffs. Its restaurant is also a great option for a meal before or after the hike, and we’ve linked it below. From there, the trail eventually starts descending towards the coast on an old zigzag path with stone steps. Down at Calhau de São Jorge, you’ll reach the Ruínas de São Jorge, the remains of old sugar cane mills dating back to Madeira’s early settlement. But for us, this is also the perfect place for a break: bring your swimwear and take a refreshing dip before continuing. Komoot suggests another short climb from Calhau de São Jorge on the opposite side for a view towards Ilhéu da Ribeira da Janela. We’d consider this an optional extra rather than an essential part of the hike – you can simply skip it and continue the circular route if you prefer. Afterwards, the route follows the road for a short stretch into the valley before turning left, crossing the stream and climbing back up towards Santana. Keep an eye on your navigation here – the turn-off is easy to miss and we only spotted it thanks to Komoot. The first section of the climb was quite overgrown when we did the hike, but further up it turns back into a beautiful old path with stone steps. What we particularly liked about this hike was how quiet it was. We met hardly any other hikers, saw virtually no rubbish or discarded tissues along the trail, and for long stretches had the path completely to ourselves. We’d rate it as a moderate hike: you don’t need any special technical skills, but the climb back up from the coast requires a decent level of fitness. If you enjoy Madeira’s less crowded trails, this is a really rewarding alternative to the island’s better-known hikes. The starting point can also be reached by public transport. We’ve linked the Komoot route below. You’ll find several variations of this hike on Komoot.