The Lakes Walk
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Lakes Walk worth booking?
The Lakes Walk is a 4.5-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $25 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (13)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Magnificente walk where the sounds of the surrounding water, singing birds and the scent of the forest makes it a magical experience. Amazing waterfall, small ponds and lagoons with unique views over the Rabaçal Valley A
What you get
About this experience
Magnificente walk where the sounds of the surrounding water, singing birds and the scent of the forest makes it a magical experience. Amazing waterfall, small ponds and lagoons with unique views over the Rabaçal Valley A visit to the Wind lagoon and waterfall will make this walk unique
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Government fees
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Madeira Free Spirit walks
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for The Lakes Walk. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great company, wonderful guide in Elton
We joined Free Spirit for two walks: Lagoa do Vento and the Referta walk. We had Elton as our guide who was outstanding. Over two days, we learned more about Madeira’s plants, history, and local stories from Elton than we would have in weeks on our own. He combines deep local knowledge with a warm, personable approach and a genuine commitment to guests’ safety and wellbeing. Elton clearly explained the history of the levadas, shared recommendations on local fruits, other walks, and additional activities around Madeira. His passion and experience really made the trip for our party and the other guests. We also appreciated Free Spirit’s smaller group sizes. While we heard some companies run tours with up to 25 people per guide, our groups were just 10 people (and we understand their max to be around 15), a nicely balanced size for a relaxed, social atmosphere and meaningful interaction with both the guide and fellow walkers. On the practical side: pickups were very punctual and the transportation was smooth and comfortable. Highly recommend Free Spirit if you are in Madeira without car access or looking for a guided walk option where you will learn lots while on the walk.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your amazing and detailed review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed both the Lagoa do Vento and Referta walks with Elton. He is truly passionate about Madeira, and it means a lot to know that his knowledge, local stories, and friendly approach helped make your experience so memorable. We’ll be very happy to pass your kind words on to him. It’s also wonderful to hear that you appreciated the smaller group sizes. We strongly believe that keeping our groups more personal creates a safer, more relaxed atmosphere and allows for better interaction between guests and guides. Thank you as well for mentioning the punctual pickups and comfortable transportation — we always aim to make the whole experience smooth from start to finish. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more adventures in Madeira in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Great service, great guides, great walks
I booked the 2 walks and the west tour before I arrived on the island and all three events were excellent. Great for solo travellers like myself. The communication was timely and reminders sent via text. The guides were excellent with lots of information given along the way. The walks were full day walks around 10k, with plenty of breaks. The drives to the beginning of the walks were amazing and when you came out of the forests the panoramic views were stunning. Thank you for taking care of me.
via Tripadvisor
Surrounded by nature at it's best
A fantastic walk in beautiful scenery, with an excellent and knowledgeable guide. There were lots of steps (hundreds) but you get to 2 waterfalls into pools that are stunning. The nature is wonderful. If you take a picnic, remember to take a bag to take your rubbish home in.
via Tripadvisor
Overall very great experience
First of all: I had to choose one walk to review but I did several with this company and I suggest you do the same. All the mountain and tour guides are very skilled professional and will take time to explain everything about flaura, fauna and history of their island. All guides have been very friendly and cheerfull. With this company you can‘t get a bad one ❤️
via Tripadvisor
Great day of walking
Easy booking, lots of communication, lots of knowledge, small groups and lots of fun. It was a damp day which made for lots of waterfalls!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Fri
- Price range
- $25 to $45
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Lakes Walk: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.
How much does The Lakes Walk cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Funchal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Lakes Walk take?
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Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Funchal is not rushed.
Is The Lakes Walk worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Funchal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Lakes Walk?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Lakes Walk suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Lakes Walk?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Funchal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Funchal and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Lakes Walk start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Funchal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Funchal?
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On Outty we rank every Funchal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4, West Tour-Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz Natural Pools Small Groups. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Funchal?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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