The islands of Madeira

Dear Friends, walking on Madeira is a spectacular experience. You have the oppertunity to walk a " thousand miles" track on the levada's around the island and in the mountains. Funchal is the best starting point for walks for the east side. Ribereira da Brava, app. 10 miles from Funchal a very good starting point for the west side of the island. We have been here to celebrate the "Reveillion 2009/2010" with fireworks not seen before in the world.

A short explanation of the "levada" walks. At the beginning of the century there were about 200 levada's with a total lenght of 800 miles. In 1970 the Portuguese governement started to reniew and made an inventory of all the canals. The function of the levada's is to distribute the water to the small canals from 1000 meters. From their to a level of 600 meters and irrigate the land. The banana plantations on Madeira is one of the major activities besides wine and vegetables.

Some instructions for walking:

• Don't go on your own, always in a group. Leave your mobile phone and route behind in hotel or with friends


• Take warm clothes with you and take for rain coverage


• Good walking boots, compass and something to eat. Weather can change very quickly.


• Because of the walking distancies in rural aerias, don't under estimate the length of your walking trips. Take enough time to end at a village before dark.

I will describe one levada walking, one is near at Funchal, the capital of Madeira The "Levada dos Piornais", connected to the "Levada do Curral".

Talke a bus to "Rua dos Estados Unidos, which ends at the football stadium. Walk along the road uphill and after approx. 500 meters on your left side there is a small stair which is the starting point of the levada dos Piornais. The Levada is dated around 16th century. On your left hand side down you see the development areas of hotels but you are walking high enough on the mountain to enjoy the local houses and plantations. After 20 minutes you get a much nicer view and you see in the sea the Cabo Girao. After 30 minutes you reach Amparo. Here seems the levada to stop, but after a littel cafe you cross the street and follow the canal again. After you reach Quebras you have to cross a road, keep right until you find a school on your left hand. 30 meters after the school on your right hand you can follow the track. You walk along a small valley where in the distance you can see a bridge over the valley which is called " Scorridos". Suddenly the levada is going north with breath taking views of the river " Ribeira dos Socorridos". From here the nuns were fleeing from the monestry of Santa Clara through the sugar cane fields to Curral. After 10 minutes you have to decide what to do. Or going down along the river and climb the stair after approx. 1 kilomter or take the tunnels. The tunnels are narrow, so if you don't trust yourself going along steep cliffs, I recommend the detour along the river and climb the stairs later on. At the end of the levada you have to climb concrete stairs to a house ( do not take the sign " gate 1,5 kim) but hold right to climb the stairs. If your at the house on the top, go right on the road to " Pinheiros das Voltas". From here you can easily take the bus, which has an excellent connection to Funchal again. (This track from the stadium of Funchal to Pinheiros takes you 4 hours, more or less.

If you want to c0ntinue your walk, in Pinheiros there is sign at the cafe on your left hand pointing to the Levada do Curral.

For more information, consult the Tourist Information op de Avenida Arriaga, in the centre of Funchal. It is also possible to take a guide, from 20 to 30 EUR per person you can hire a guide which also includes transport.

Tip: take a day to Porto Santo with the ferry.