Private Tour
Gastro hike (Private Tour)
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Being able to enjoy a cultural, gastronomic, mountain hiking experience, and the history and biodiversity of the island as a real place.
Our activity will take you to eat like a local, in the restaurants that locals go to. Eat a regional kebab, drink a poncha, all this as a true Madeiran does, along trails little used by those who visit us.
Get to know the story told by a certified guide born and raised on the island.
Have a social and economic impact on local communities, thus bringing sustainability to our activity.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Soda/Pop
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunch
Dinner
Coffee and/or Tea
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Our Gatro Hike will take us for a walk on one of the Levadas of our island, in an area where you only find nature and don't find the large amount of tourism as in other places. Accessible to most people who visit us, and we can take a walk with 5.5 kms or with only 3.5 kms depending on what our customers prefer. In the end, we ended up next to one of the most emblematic places in our mountains to taste a Poncha (local drink) and learn a little about its history. Then we will taste one of the traditional dishes of our island.
Sample Menu
main
"Skewered"
Local food made of beef on a skewer over the coals, accompanied by french fries, salad and fried corn
Options
Gastro hike
Duration: 5 hours
Skewered
Kia Stonic 2021
Pickup included
Weekend
Duration: 5 hours
Lunch or dinner
Kia Stonic 2021
Pickup included
Reviews
41 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Authentic Madeiran Gastro Hike
kemp graham,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent trip that was well organised by the owner and guide Claudio. A little apprehensive about starting at 4pm but it turned out to be excellent timing with a 5km walk along a private levada followed by visiting some stunning viewpoints over Funchal as the sun set and then a local restaurant where we had the opportunity to try poncha and a fantastic, authentic espatada meal. Claudio proved to be an excellent guide with great knowledge of Madeira, its history, people and traditions. He also had great knowledge of the flora and fauna of the island and pointed out interesting plants as we walked the levada. I would highly recommend the trip for anyone wanting a more personalised introduction to Madeira and it’s culture, people and food.
Amazing espetada after a gorgeous sunset!
CD772,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was our second tour with Claudio. This ine started with a short levadas walk where we learned a bit of history before heading to a lookout point to see a gorgeous sunset (away from crowds!) then on to poncha and our espetada dinner. The poncha in the local pub was excellent, definitely a difference from the tourist areas. As for the local dinner experience, that steak was the best dinner we had on the island! I opted for the sangria which was also really good. The whole experience was such a great time, excellent conversation as well. Highly recommend!
Fantastic Tour away from the Mainstream
694albanh,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour with Cláudio was fantastic. We were picked up at our accommodation and had a very nice chat on the way to the starting point of the short hike. To our surprise, it was a private tour with no other guests. This meant we had Cláudio's undivided attention and could ask him anything we wanted to know. The hiking route was wonderful and a real insider tip. We didn't meet any other tourists along the way and the nature was stunning. Both the poncha and the traditional food were also a great experience. So if you want to do and experience something special away from the mainstream, Cláudio is the right choice!
Excellent.
Martin S,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We booked a private tour with Claudio as he has great reviews, and he offered an experience that looked a perfect match for our love of walking, talking, eating and drinking. We were not disappointed! At the pace of a gentle stroll through some beautiful woodland, we chatted away with Claudio about Madeiran life, history, landscape, 'drunk uncles' - and more. As for the poncha and cooking our own meat on a stick: that didn't disappoint either! This tour is perfect for tourists who prefer to identify as curious travelers. It's informative, not a lecture; it's relaxed, but not boring. It's right up our street, just our cup of tea, and one that you would happily do again the very next day..
We loved it! Which was confirmed when we got back and realised that we'd been having too good a time to snap any photos.
martinsC8735GC,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a private tour with Claudio as he has great reviews, and he offered an experience that looked a perfect match for our love of walking, talking, eating and drinking. We were not disappointed! At the pace of a gentle stroll through some beautiful woodland, we chatted away with Claudio about Madeiran life, history, landscape, 'drunk uncles' - and more. As for the poncha and cooking our own meat on a stick: that didn't disappoint either! This tour is perfect for tourists who prefer to identify as curious travelers. It's informative, not a lecture; it's relaxed, but not boring. It's right up our street, just our cup of tea, and one that you would happily do again the very next day..
Our guide Claudio took us...
Clare K,
Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Claudio took us off the beaten track following the Levada on a 6km hike. He kindly gave us the option to shorten the hike, should we want to, to avoid a steep climb at the end. Following the hike we went to a local bar where we tried Poncha and then onto a local restaurant to grill beef skewers over an open fire - delicious! Claudio was very friendly and knowledgable and we would definitely join him again.
Do the hike, eat the food, enjoy the day, learn a lot. 32/10 highly recommend.
Trip67591995667,
Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose this experience because it fit our schedule, you should choose it because it is excellently curated and skillfully lead. Claudio is a certified wilderness trail specialist and has his undergraduate degree in Biology, he is also pleasant, kind, and an all-around wonderful person and guide. On our scenic hike he shared his vast knowledge about Madeira’s ecology and vegetation, Madeira’s unique role in Portuguese history, and the current culture and everyday life on the island. On our (mostly) moderate hike we saw NO OTHER TOURISTS but were perfectly immersed in the hills and valleys of Madeira. After the hike we had a wonderful meal, with house-made poncha and wine, at a local spot fill with locals. Truly a unique experience on an island where it’s easy to be swallowed by the crowd. We started our hike at 4pm, temps were around 70F (late June). I wore hiking shoes, lightweight hiking pants, a short-sleeved t-shirt and by the end of the day, I had put on the lightweight jacket I packed. The hike was not technical, was light-moderate in effort, with one incline on which I needed a brief rest. I do not consider myself a hiker.
Gastro hike - fantastic guide!
I8395OPmichellef,
Jun 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Claudio was amazing! He changed his plans to cater for us and could not be more helpful. We had an excellent day and he made our trip!
Highlight of our trip!
meaghanp664,
May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Claudio is THE BEST!! My husband and I had the best time on this tour/hike, it was the highlight of our trip. Great experience exploring trails and eating great food on the island.
The best.
318thelmab,
May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was excellent, just us on a levada walk was unbelievable, the views , the forest and knowledge of our guide Claudio fantastic. The gastro bit was superb.
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Operated by Hiking Island