Walking Tours in portugal

The beautifulPortuguese Island of Madeira lies well out in the Atlantic where thegulf stream affords it a mild and equable year round climate. Volcanicin origin the rugged interior rises abruptly to over 1800 metres. Itsjagged peaks flanked by forests of pine and laurel. A characteristicfeature of the island is the elaborate system of levadas or irrigationchannels. Over the centuries this network has extended to more than2000kms of channels and more than 40kms of tunnels. They wind their wayacross gullies and steep slopes bringing water to the coastalsettlements and farms. Many of the levadas can be followed on foot andthese together with a network of local trails make even the most remoteparts of the island accessible.

Springand Autumn are the ideal times to visit the island when a myriad ofcolourful flowers and trees are in bloom; jasmine, begonias, freesias,magnolia and camellias form just a part of the spectacular flora. Wehave devised a number of routes to suit the islands seasons, theyfollow levadas through a peaceful pastoral countryside; traverseterraced hillsides, or skirt the rugged coastline. More challengingtrails climb up to the rugged volcanic peaks of the interior, to PicoRuivo, at 1860 metres the islands highest peak.

Thewalking starts with a choice of day routes from Machico: eitherfollowing an easy levada up the valley, or for the more adventurous (ingood weather) a traverse of the immense coastal cliffs between Machicoand Porto da Cruz. Next we are transferred by road to Monte, wherethere is an opportunity to take the cable car up the hill to the startof the walk. For the next two days you follow levadas contouring aroundthe east flank of the mountains at about 750 metres (2500 feet) abovethe sea. At some points a head for heights is an advantage. We thenhead inland across the thickly forested mountains to Santana, perchedhigh above the north coast. Cloud conditions permitting, we havefabulous views as we take the high route over the islands highest peak(Pico Ruivo, 1862m) and along a spectacular ridge to the pass ofEncumeada (1050m). For many walkers the final day’s walking fromEncumeada down to Corticeiras on the outskirts of Funchal is the mostscenic of all. In Funchal we have an opportunity to visit a Madeirawine lodge, to explore colourful food and fish markets, and to enjoyone of the superb fish restaurants.