Views & Booze: An Epic Hike and Old-School Rum Distillery Tour

Views & Booze: An Epic Hike and Old-School Rum Distillery Tour
Photo from Agriculturaemar

Embark on a full-day adventure that combines the thrill of nature with the rich history of traditional rum making. This unique tour takes you on a scenic 7 km hike through breathtaking landscapes. While most of Madeira is green and fertile, São Lourenço is a beautiful, barren finger of desert terrain stretching out into the Atlantic. It is a peninsula of volcanic origin, made up mainly of basalt, with some sedimentary limestone formations.

After our morning hike, we'll take a leisurely drive to an old steam-powered rum distillery. Here, you'll step back in time and explore the fascinating world of traditional rum crafting. The distillery, with its vintage machinery and time-honored techniques, offers a captivating glimpse into the past. You'll learn about the rum-making process from fermentation to distillation and, of course, enjoy a tasting session of their finest selections.

Round off your day with a visit to the Miradouro do Guindaste viewpoint. It’s an amazing place that offers some mesmerizing views of the ocean and the massive cliffs along Madeira’s northeastern coast. 

You'll have plenty of time to ask questions, take photos and make the most of this private experience.

Seize this unique Madeira getaway to experience the stunning landscapes of the easternmost part of the island and the vibrant rural life with a private tour guide. Book your full day private tour and look forward to a carefully planned day with personal touches. No need to worry about logistics. With my guidance you can sit back, relax and really enjoy riding the clouds with me.

What to Bring:

- Clothing - depending on the season, Madeira's weather can vary a lot depending on altitude and different microclimates. In general, while it may be warm and sunny at sea level, temperatures can drop as you head up into the mountains. So don't forget to bring warm clothing, preferably layered for the cooler, misty areas!

- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - the terrain is basalt and can be quite slippery.

- Sunscreen and sunglasses and also a hat during summer day as there are no shades at all, so you’ll be exposed to sun directly, the whole time.

- Camera to capture the stunning landscapes.

Full-Day Adventure: Scenic Hike and Historic Rum Distillery Tour

  1. PR 8 - Verada da Ponta de São Lourenço is a trail of medium difficulty (3 km trail + 3 km return), with an estimated duration of 2 and a half hours, offering panoramic views of both the north and south parts of Madeira.
    **Please wear proper hiking shoes because the terrain is slippery. Since there’s no shade from the sun on this trail, bring sunscreen and lots of water.
  2. Porto da Cruz town - Visit Engenhos do Norte - one of the few surviving rum distilleries of the island and the only one still driven by steam.
  3. Viewpoint Guindaste - offers a stunning view of the coastal line of the north coast of Madeira.