3 Classic Walks on the Isle of Madeira, Portugal
Three of the Best Walks Found on the Mid-Atlantic “Floating Garden”
Feb 5, 2009
Madeira is a walker’s paradise. It rarely gets cold, even in the mountains, and it rarely gets too hot either, Temperatures from the low teens to high twenties are typical throughout the year. That’s not to say it can’t snow, the Madeiranese in fact get rather excited about snow in the mountains – they just don’t see it very often!
This article suggests three classic routes on Madeira – a levada, a high mountain route, and a coastal walk.
The Levada Walk – Levada 25 Fontes
The classic levada walk in Madeira is the Levada 25Fontes. Starting from high up in the north-west of the island near the Paul de Serra plateau, there is a short walk down a country lane (E110) to get to the first levada – Levada do Risco - by the Rabaçal Government House. The path divides shortly after this, giving two out and back routes; first of all to the waterfall at Risco, then descending steeply to reach a second levada – the Levada das 25 Fontes. The levada is named after 25 separate springs where water seeps out of the headwall of the lagoon at the end of this levada – in addition to an often spectacular waterfall. From the 25 Fontes pool, it is then necessary to retrace the route a short distance before carrying on through a long tunnel that ends in a hugely tall cavern to reach the end of the walk at Rabaçal. A torch is essential on this walk.
The Mountain Walk – Vereda do Areeiro
The Vereda do Areeiro links the third highest peak (Pico Areeiro) with the highest peak (Pico Ruivo) in Madeira on a mountain path with spectacular views. The route starts at the top of the access road to Pico Areeiro, and takes the obvious path heading out and slightly down across the ridge line. There are several tunnels on this route –a torch is useful!
The Coastal Walk – Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
This is a fairly gentle walk that goes out and back along an obvious path along the north-east peninsula of the island. Keen swimmers will enjoy being able to access the sea near the far end of the peninsula – by the tiny old Sardinha harbour. Birdwatchers will also appreciate the variety of birds on this walk – one of which (Berthelot’s Pipit – endemic to Madeira) is only found in one other place on the far side of the island than this peninsula.
There are many more great walks on this island – more than enough to give a keen walker more choice than time available in a week. Having said that, several of them are linear walks with all the issues that gives for transport – it may make sense to join an organised group simply for solving the logistical problems of getting there and back from the walk. Or in January each year, walkers may be tempted to join the walking festival which solves the transport issues at a lower cost than is possible independently.
 |
 |
 |
