Walking in Madeira: Marocos to Caniçal / Public Transport on Madeira

Madeira Walks

1. Walk – Ilha to Santana / Where is Madeira?
2. Walk – Pico Ruivo and Pico Arieiro / Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Walk – Monte to Camatcha / Wicker Sledge Riding
4. Walk – Camatcha to Santo da Serra / Madeira, the Flower Island
5. Walk – Santo da Serra to Portela / Levadas
6. Walk – Marocos to Caniçal / Public Transport on Madeira
7. Walk – Baia d’Abra / Tourism
8. Walk – Canical to Machico / Summary Walking Holiday

Marocos to Caniçal along Levada do Caniçal

Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
Up: 3m
Down: 0m
Navigation: Cicerone Walking in Madeira Walk 7, Madeira Tour & Trail Map (1:40000)
Stef’s review: 4 of 5 stars

Today we took the bus 156 from Canical to Marocos. Luckily the bus driver through us out directly at the start of the levada so that we didn’t have to climb up any hills. (It seems that I get lazier and lazier the more we’re into the holidays. Maybe the effect of relaxing…)
During the walk we ha nice views over Marocos and Ribeira Seca, passing lots of residential gardens where people grew all sorts of fruits and vegetables: onions, potatoes, beans, strawberries, bananas, grapes, radish, sugar cane, sweet corn, blackberries, peas and so on. That kept me interested and busy for the entire walk.
We finished the walk after 12km at the Canical tunnel and took a taxi down to Canical. We weren’t sure if the tunnel is suitable for pedestrians. We only found out when we were already in the taxi. And it is. There is a separate pedestrian way, so we could have walked down to Canical for another 5k or so. But… ah well… it’s our holiday. So we were lazy once more and took the more comfortable way.
Drama of the day: I lost my travel towel. I had to use it to fit my backpack better by squeezing it between my hip and the backpack strap (I’m simply too thin for this backpack – how annoying. Not that I ever thought I would say that). I just can hope that they will have towels in our hotels and accommodations. Otherwise… bad luck.

Public transport on Madeira

Madeira is very well connected through a bus network. There are 4 major bus companies running services across the island. That means you definitely get even into the furthest and smallest town of Madeira. What we noticed especially in towns where several services run like in Machico, theses bus companies don’t interact with each other. It’s impossible to get any information from one bus company about the other one. Nevertheless, taking the bus is a brilliant way to get a round the island. You get stunning views from and the bus drivers are always helpful. If you ask them where exactly you need to get off they let you know when it’s time for you.

More about walking in Madeira:

– More photos of Marocos to Canical
– Itinerary Madeira Walking Holidays
– Packing List Madeira Holidays