Every adventure begins with an uneasy atmosphere of naivety, expectations, and a willingness to delve into the unknown. Our journey along the ‘Royal Path’ known as Caminho Real 23 was definitely set to be a week of challenges and first-hand insight into the past and the present of Madeira Island. CAMINHO REAL 23 INFORMATION The …
MADEIRA
Chão da Ribeira is an incredible plateau in the mountains above Seixal on the north coast of Madeira Island. It’s such an incredible valley of lush forest that it’s known to locals as ‘The Sanctuary’. As soon as I arrived after the winding drive up from the coast, I could sense it was a special …
The Vereda das Funduras hike begins at Portela Viewpoint, which has a great view over the iconic Penha d’Àguia rock formation in Porto da Cruz. The trail itself is mostly through the forest with the scenery highlighted by beautiful ferns and lush vegetation of the UNESCO Laurissilva Forest. This is a great trail for families, …
Espigão Amarelo is one of my favorite coastal hikes on Madeira. It truly has it all. Beginning on the famous Vereda do Larano, this trail takes a secret detour up onto the gnarly ridge of Espigão Amarelo. Five hundred meters of up and downs through the forest then drop you back at the end of …
The Ribeiro Frio to Chão das Feiteiras levada hike is a peaceful journey through the incredibly lush, UNESCO Heritage Laurissilva forest of central Madeira Island. There is no ‘epic viewpoint’ or incredible waterfall on this trail. However, what you will find is a quiet trail where you can become fully immersed in the forest. Hear …
Madeira is the island of dreams for waterfall chasers. There just seems to be an endless amount of waterfalls to discover and often you will even drive right to Madeira waterfalls on the highway! In this guide, I will share with you 25 of my favorite hikes that lead you to a waterfall. Remember that …
Madeira Island is a stunning island in Portugal rich in culture and history. From its awe-inspiring landscapes, stunning rock pools, and scenic levada walks, you’ll be surprised by the beautiful moments this small island offers. The pleasant climate (eternal spring) makes it a great travel destination for travelers. In this blog post, I will share …
Madeira is one of the top locations in Europe for active holidays because it has flat levada trails suited to all fitness and experience levels. On Madeira, you will find more than 3,000 km of irrigation channels, most with an accessible path next to the water channel. These Madeira levada paths guide you around the …
There are many amazing regions in Madeira but the main hub is the capital, Funchal. In this article, I’ve handpicked the best 15 hotels in Funchal. You’ll find the best top luxury hotels, value picks, and some budget hostels in the center of Funchal. My personal favorites are Belmond Reid’s Palace for its wellness center …
The Pico Canãrio hike is a physical challenge that will provide uniquely epic views of Madeira from perspectives you’ve never seen. Even after five months on the island, some of the landscapes surprised me. This loop is a strenuous 26-kilometer route with 1800 meters of incline. If you’re up for a battle through the forest …
Located between Portugal and the northwest coast of Africa, Madeira Island is the largest island of the Portuguese archipelago. While the rest of Europe battles a cold winter, Madeira enjoys great weather all year! It has dramatic cliffs, volcanic rock pools, lush UNESCO forests, great levada walks, and incredible hiking trails. There are a lot …
The hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is the most famous hike on the island of Madeira in Portugal. This tunnel route leads hikers along narrow pathways, up and down ominous staircases, and through dark tunnel chambers. It is an adrenaline-filled test of endurance with steep inclines, causing some serious quad and calf …