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.

The airport, that was not affected except it was closed on the day of the floods, is fully operational and all the main roads are now open to the public. Unfortunately there are still some locations that are isolated (Tabua, Serra da Agua and Encumeada), therefore we advice everyone to make first inquiries before traveling towards these areas.

Many footpaths on Madeira had problems with fallen trees and landslides; however the majority of these walks are now repaired and accessible to the public.

Nature Meetings daily walking program is now fully operational, with the exception of the full day walk on Sunday: “Slopes and Valleys of Calheta” and Wednesday: “Laurisilva Landscapes”. The Full day walk on Sunday has been removed from our program and we only offer our half day Levada walk: “Amazing Vistas”. The full day Levada walk on Wednesday is replaced with a Laurisilva Levada walk from Santo da Serra to Portela (this is temporarily, as the original walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela should be open in May 2010).

We advice all walkers on Madeira prepare themselves for the walk they intent to do, as there can be obstacles on the walking paths, and be aware that it can be slippery as it requires some time to dry out.

In particular, it is crucial that people don’t do a Levada walk on their own!! There might be unexpected situations that can result in a premature end of your holiday her on Madeira. Therefore we (including the authorities on Madeira) strongly suggest to make use of the services of a walk guide through the various qualified walking organization.

Five pathways closed. In less than a month, bad weather and landslides have forced the closure of five footpaths and levadas which are included in the official walking circuit of the serras of Madeira. The official ‘Turismo’ site alerts walkers to the closures and the Regional Director of Forestry acknowledges that the renovation of such extensively damaged areas will be expensive. Levada do Rei, Caldeirão Verde, Caminho Real da Encumeada, Levada da Fajã do Rodrigues and Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal are the five closed footpaths. The worst affected is the Caminho Real da Encumeada, especially the section Boca da Corrida at Encumeada. Almost all the walking paths on the island have been damaged by the bad weather, the ones least affected are near the south coast and on Porto Santo. Before work can be undertaken, a survey will have to be carried out and a firm contracted.

No background music was added to the film, but contains instead the original sounds of the surroundings during the walk … which gives a better impression of the environment.

The author warns that, even though he filmed with the camera fixed to his body, always walk the levadas in a safe way. Always keep your eyes on the path (and not looking at the viewer of a camera) when walking.

Please check the following link of the Madeira Islands Tourism site for more details of which walking routes are (temporary) closed due to restoration works:
Notice to Walkers

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 walking-leader who has no (Madeira) experience nor are qualified to guide. This is not only illegal according to the Portuguese law, it´s also very dangerous.

• 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

As levadas são as veias da floresta Laurisilva, que é classificada como Património da Humanidade pela UNESCO e a Rede Natura Europeu, recebem cerca de 5 mil visitantes por dia.

(en) A news report of the Portuguese Television SIC of the levadas on Madeira island.

The levadas, that are classified as the Patrimonial Human Culture by UNESCO and European Nature Network, receives about 5 thousand visitors/tourists per day.

Every Wednesday, we offer the Levada walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela.
It is a well known Levada walk, and due to its location, very popular for walkers. After a short visit to Madeira’s Trout Farm and knitting stalls entering we the Laurisilva Forest of Madeira (UNESCO World heritage since 1999, covering 149.5km2 of Madeira).

During the walk you see all the Laurisilva vegetation with beautiful views into the valley located on the North side of Madeira (Porto da Cruz), and if you look into the Levada you might even see “baby” Trout’s.

Other than its popularity, it is also the most dangerous walk.

By studying the walking guide books, this walk is classified as easy or medium (even the local authorities are given this walk a grade: 2). However, most casualties are taking place on this walk (from cuts, brushes to broken bones)!

We have been investing some time to understand why so many accidents are taken place on this particular walk.

As this walk is one of the only Levada locations (in the Laurisilva Forest) were you can travel to/ from by local transport, a lot of walkers are walking on their own and follow the instructions what is written in a book. Unfortunately, the dangers are NOT written down, such as: vertigo, slippery slopes and wet/humid conditions. What crucial is, is that due to a landslide a half year ago, the walking path is diverted. This diversion is not clearly marked, and most walkers are following the instruction from the documentation. This old path (over the landslide) that the walkers are following is extremely dangerous, with steep drops (Vertigo). At the end of the walk, the path is going downhill with the Levada in the middle. With even the slightest bit of rain, the Levada overflows what turns the path into mud and makes the path extremely slippery.

The combination of weather conditions and the lack of knowledge turn this Levada walk into Madeira dangerous walk.

Therefore I strongly recommend that if you want to do this walk, you do this with a qualified guide. If you insist that you want to do this on your own, please seek advice from the local authorities and check the weather conditions.