Madeira
is a Portuguese island with a total population of 262,456. The island is the top of a massive submerged shield volcano that rises about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed over 5 million years ago. Madeira was discovered in 1421 by the Portuguese navigator João Gonçalves Zarco. Funchal is the capital and by far the largest city.
If you look at this map, Maderia is closer to the African coast line than it is to Portugal
What a beautiful island. Remember this is all volcanic rock, so connecting all the villages to one another requires hundreds of tunnels and bridges. You have to have your wits about you to tour the island in a rental car. Hairpin turns are everywhere.
Hikers Mecca
Yes, many tourists make Madeira a destination just for the hiking trails. From easy to moderate to difficult - there are trails all over the island. You will need a car. This is a very mountainous island. Plan on arriving early to the most popular trails, they will get very busy.
Levadas
tend to be the easiest of the trails. Levadas are water aquaducts that gently come out of the mountains to villages bellow. Levada construction started in the 16th century. They were important to provide water for the villages but also for the sugar cane fields, an important source of export. Trails are well maintained and waterfalls along the way are to be expected. The tropical vegetation makes for serene hiking.
Coastal Hiking
offers beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the geology of the island. One of the most famous coastal hikes is called the Dragons Tail. Looking at the island from the air it seems to have a series of hills that form a dragons tail.
Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo (Peak to Peak)
provides a very challenging hike for the more serious hiker. This hike is known for its stunning vistas, including the famous "tunnel" which takes you through a natural rock formation. If you decide to start at the summit at Sunrise, all the more spectacular.
Funchal
is the capital city and heart of Madeira Island. There is so much to see and do there. Beware, on cruise ship days it gets really busy.
Walk the quaint streets of old town and see all the old doors painted with images of life on Maderia.
Take the funicular up to the top of Funchal and spend a couple of hours walking in a beautiful garden - Monte Palace. The Monte Palace Madeira occupies an area of 70,000 square meters and houses a huge exotic plant's collection coming from all over the world.
Take the sled ride half way back down and experience this old Maderia tradition.
This is my last blog of my trip to Portugal . A thirty day trip does not do it justice. There is so much to see and experience. The purpose of my blogs is not so much to tell you what I did, but to give you some ideas of how you can experience something similar. Start googling Portugal and plan your own itinerary. Hopefully some of my travel blogs will come in handy.
PS Yes there were several must stops that didn’t make my posts. I try not to post too often and too much. Traveling to the northern part of Portugal, for sure you should experience - Lisbon, Sintra, & Cascais.