MW Editor English April 30th, 2008

Please follow the next safety precautions when you are planning to take a Levada walk here on Madeira:

• When taking a Levada walk for the first time we urge you do that in company of a qualified guide;
• Prepare yourself and collect all the updated information about the route you are planning to follow;
• Calculate the total time you will be spending on that route (so that you will finish the walk before dark);
• Inform the hotel your staying or any other reliable person about the route that you plan to do and the expected time of arrival;
• Do not change the course of your planned route;
• Always take something to eat and drink (such as canned fruit juices, chocolate, dried fruits etc.);
• Take extra plastic bags to put in leftovers or rubbish when you do a stop to eat/drink;
• Important that you always carry an electric torch with spare batteries;
• Take your own mobile phone, even if your operating network doesn’t exist in here. You can always call the emergency number 112 and it will search for an alternative net;
• In case of a interruption during a course (falling rocks, heavy rain or strong winds) go back to the starting point following same trail;
• By all means do not take risks;
• Take a whistle with you and wear suitable clothes and walking boots/shoes with good grip;
• In case of any accident call immediately 112 and if you cannot get through, walk on the same course and keep trying again until you get a connection;
• Stay calm and inform what, when and where the accident has happened, also the number of people involved and the status of the victims;
• The more information you transmit, the better and more efficient help will be provided.

Important phone numbers (program these into your mobile phone):

Madeira Civil Protection - (+351) 291 700 112
Emergency Number - 112

Tags: levadas, safety, walking

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Nuno Portuguese - Português March 25th, 2008

Localizada no coração do Oceano Atlântico, a ilha da Madeira, com 57 km de comprimento e 23 km de largura, apresenta-se como a terapia ideal para todos aqueles que necessitam de recuperar do stress citadino, que ambicionam uma reconciliação com a natureza através de deslumbrantes caminhadas a pé e que pretendam usufruir de um serviço de qualidade exercido por profissionais exímios.

Atravessada por uma cordilheira montanhosa, cujo pico mais alto - Pico Ruivo - atinge os 1862 metros de altitude, a ilha da Madeira dispõe de um clima subtropical durante todo o ano que permite realizar passeios a pé ao longo das magnificas Levadas de água construídas desde o século XVI. As famosas levadas, que cruzam todo o comprimento e largura da Madeira, constituem engenhosos sistemas de irrigação compostos por cerca de 2000 km de canais e 50 km de túneis. Estas foram a forma encontrada para aproveitar a água que cai predominantemente a norte. Os ventos de nordeste empurram as nuvens contra as altas montanhas provocando na encosta norte precipitação que pode chegar aos 2 metros por ano.

Ao calcorrear estas obras primas de esforço humano, podemos contemplar uma das maiores relíquias da natureza qualificada pela UNESCO como Património Mundial : falamos naturalmente da Laurissilva onde encontramos o reduto de uma variedade de Flora única no mundo. Destaque-se as Laurássias, as Urzes Molares, Folhados, Pau Branco, Figueiras do Inferno entre muitas outras. Algumas destas plantas são endémicas pois não podem ser encontradas no seu estado selvagem noutro local do globo, outras são comuns apenas ás ilhas da Macaronésia – Madeira, Açores, Canárias e Cabo Verde.

Tags: laurisilva, levadas, madeira, natureza

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Gerry Sluiter English March 22nd, 2008

Today, Thursday 20 March’08 are we walking one of Madeira’s most popular Levada walk. Everyone is giving it a different name, such as: Referta or Castelejo.

We call it: Amazing Vistas, based on the magnificent views (“Vistas” in Portuguese). Located near the Eagles Rock between Porto da Cruz and Faial (North/East).

It is an easy walk, suitable for all ages with a walking duration of around 2hrs; you can extent it with a half a hour if you want.

The walk takes you through isolated terraces and farmyards, with continues views in to the valley and over the Atlantic Ocean. During this walk you feel the peace and quiet of Madeira, smell the flowers and image how the population lived over the years. It is everyone’s favourite walk; even our guides who walk this walk weekly enjoy it on each of their visits.

After we left our starting location in Funchal at 08.15hrs, we were greeted by the sun. Our 3 mini busses had the task to collect walkers from various countries, covering a large variety of languages (English, German, French, Dutch, Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Portuguese, Spanish). With our multi language Certified Mountain Guides, we covered all the languages, and within 30 minutes every participant was collected.

We were lucky, as the schools are closed and a lot of local started their Easter holidays, we arrived at the start of the walk within 30minutes.

After the safety instructions, we started to walk and we were not disappointed. Lots of flowers and the company of a buzzard. As a reward we ended at a small local bar, were our clients had the opportunity to spoil themselves with coffee and homemade cake.

As this was a Half Day walk (travelling time plus walking time, 4hrs), we returned our guests at around 12.30hrs at the reception of their hotel.

And once again, everyone looked back to a lovely leisure walk with the afternoon available to entertain themselves.

Tags: Amazing Vistas, Eagles Rock, levadas

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Gerry Sluiter English March 9th, 2008

Madeira is a walking paradise for any “Nature- Lover”. To ensure that you enjoy your walk, we strongly recommend that you walk with Certified Mountain guide. Your safety is paramount and to ensure that you receive the best possible service available on Madeira, we only employ local guides who are in possession of a Madeira Mountain Guide Certificate.

For obvious reasons, safety starts before the walk and it is crucial that everyone is prepared for the challenge what is waiting for them. Walking the Levadas of Madeira or any other Nature walk brings its challenges and therefore we advice that every walker is wearing layered clothing (what is easy to remove) and has water proofs with them. Other requirements are: sun protection and water (if possible a torch).

The highly trained mountain guides studied for 1 year, coffering everything in relation to walking on Madeira. This combination of responsibilities from both parties and Madeira’s walking facilities will give you a pleasant and relaxed walking experience.

Unfortunately, over the years more and more people have entered the walking industry, pretending to be a guide. These illegal “guides” are putting walkers life’s at risk, and are unable to supply the service, information and safety.

This situation has caused great concerns on Madeira and due to this there is an increase of accidents. To ensure that your guide is qualified with what he/she is doing we advise you to ask your guide to show you their license. Certified guides are proud with their profession and with their commitment to follow the very intensive guiding course.

Over the last few years we have seen more and more walking groups visiting Madeira. As walking lovers, we are very excited showing everyone this beautiful island. However some of these groups are bringing their own leader. This is not only illegal according to the Portuguese law, it´s also very dangerous.

The situation is getting out of control, and some local guides have decided to face the problem by publishing an article in Madeira best selling newspaper: Diário de Notícias to make people aware of this problem.

Gerry Sluiter

Article of Diário de Notícias was published on 2nd of March 2008.

Tags: accidents, groups, guides, levadas, license, nature, newspaper, qualified mountain guide, safety, service, walking

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Gerry Sluiter English February 18th, 2008

Nature Meetings has introduced a weblog, as we see this as service between walkers across the world. Walkers can share their experience with stories and pictures.

Every walker should be aware of the safety, and it is crucial that every walker is fully prepared before they step in their boots to explore their chosen route.

Madeira has fantastic walking opportunities, with a net work of Levadas (small water channels) covering large parts of the island. The sub tropical climate makes Madeira a walking paradise the whole year around.

How can you beat exploring your holiday destination on foot? Walk through the nature with its exotic flora and the unique Laurisilva forest (Unesco World Heritage). The Levadas on Madeira are spread out over all main parts on the island, available for all ages. However, as Madeira is a volcanic island you might pass locations with vertigo and tunnels. Therefore we would recommend that you study your walking route before entering the beautiful nature of Madeira.

Every holiday maker has worked hard, saved and made all the necessarily arrangements to enjoy their break. To ensure that you make the most out of your visit to Madeira, we strongly recommend that you walk with a guide.

Transport on Madeira is satisfactory; however you will experience problems to find the hidden Levadas. Bus services to/from these locations are very difficult and it will take a lot of your pressures holiday time. A taxi service is an alternative, however you will pay more than a guided walk, secondly you won’t receive interesting information relating to the walk from our Qualified Mountain Guide. As your safety is paramount, all our guides are “First Aid” trained and are fully equipped during the walk.

The weblog is available for everyone, you can write in your own language, write about anything on Madeira, and if you have a picture you want to share with us please add them to your article.

On behalf of our team do I wish you an enjoyable reading time.

Gerry Sluiter

Tags: guides, laurisilva, levadas, madeira, nature, Nature Meetings, qualified mountain guide, walking

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