Gerry Sluiter English March 5th, 2010

The torrential rain on Madeira caused floods and mudslides on several locations on the Island on the 20th of February. However with the impressive effort from the entire Madeirense population and international help, Madeira returned to be again an attractive travel destination.

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.

Tags: guided walks, levadas, madeira, Nature Meetings, walking

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MW Editor English February 4th, 2010

Travel article “This Year’s Madeira Walking Festival in Funchal” published in Southern Europe Travel by Rupert Parker.

Madeira is a sub-tropical Portuguese island in the mid Atlantic Ocean. Every January it hosts a week long walking festival providing three or more daily guided hikes with various levels of difficulty. The event is the brainchild of writer and photographer Terry Marsh who, this year, had to supervise from a distance as he was recovering from heart surgery. He needn’t have worried; for many of the participants this was their third year and they knew exactly where to go and what to do.

Read article

Tags: blogs, festival, madeira, walking

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MW Editor English February 1st, 2010

Translated from the Diário de Notícias (newspaper) 31/01/2010 by Madeira News Blog

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.

Tags: dangerous walk, levadas, madeira, safety, walking

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MW Editor English January 27th, 2010

A video walking impression of the Levada do Alecrim (Levada of Rosemary). The walk went till its mother waterfall at Ribeira do Lageado. The starting point of this Levada walk is located near Rabaçal.

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.

Tags: levada, levadas, madeira, Rabaçal, walking, YouTube

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MW Editor English January 7th, 2010

Some walking routes in the island are in current undergoing maintenance to ensure the safety of walkers. Access to these routes may be limited or even not allowed so that these works can be concluded the soonest possible.

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

Tags: dangerous walk, landslides, levadas, madeira, safety, walking, warnings

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MW Editor English November 29th, 2009

It is easy to assume that exposure to excessive heat is a common problem here on Madeira. Cases of severe sunburn and/or heat exhaustion are not uncommon. Here are some tips you should consider to avoid the problems.

Food and Water

Maintaining your energy levels and avoiding dehydration or electrolyte depletion are crucial.

Walking

In high temperatures, do the minimum of walk that is necessary. Try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Take regular breaks.

Protection

Use high protection skin creams on all exposed areas not forgetting under your chin, your lips and the tops of your ears. Do not forget to include sunglasses that block out both UVA and UVB and insect repellent to ward of those pesky midges.

Clothing

Developments in fabric technology mean that there is clothing readily available that is breathable and will wick away moisture so that sweat evaporates more quickly.

Wear loose, lightweight, light colored clothing. Consider tops with long sleeves that can be rolled up and down.

Hats are also really important in the sun. Try to wear a hat made of a breathable fabric or one that has mesh vents. It is also worthwhile considering a hat that provides additional cover for the back of your neck and/or a visor.

Adjust your clothing as conditions change throughout the day – do not struggle uphill wearing waterproof clothing when that shower has stopped.

Backpacks or Rucksacks

It may seem obvious but carefully check the amount of gear that you are taking – take the minimum without compromising your safety.

Tags: safety, tips, walking

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Gerry Sluiter English November 24th, 2009

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 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.

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

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Gerry Sluiter English June 26th, 2009

Madeira is well known for its walking facilities, and we noticed that more and more visitors to Madeira are walking on their own by using various information they find in books. Unfortunately, books are published in large quantities and are not regular updated with changes due to landslides and maintenance issues. Secondly, these books are translated from 1 standard language. This is causing serious problems on Madeira.

Nature Meetings is contacted by the local authorities as soon as a walker is in difficulties. With our experience we locate the casualty, make an assessment and contact the emergency services to advice them how to handle and which tools are required.

Most of these accidents are walkers who are walking by themselves. With the aftercare we supply we noticed that most of these walkers used some kind of documentation (books, Internet or information by friend and/or family).

We understand the reasons why people like to walk on their own, however not everyone is aware of the walking conditions on Madeira (that could change daily!).

Therefore you should take precautions before you decide to walk on your own.

• Get all the walking conditions before the start of the walk, such as: weather, vertigo, tunnels, landslides, duration, and distance.
• Where do you start and finish (is there transport).
• Inform your accommodation where you going to walk, what time do you leave and what time do you expect to return. Leave your contact details with your accommodation.
• Prepare yourself properly with: shoes, clothing, walking equipment (as long as you prepare for the worst, you should be ok).
• Ensure that you have a mobile with you, and that you have the numbers from the emergency services (be aware not everyone speaks your language).

In the previous article we published more advice.

As I wrote earlier, Madeira experienced last years an increase of the casualty rate (mostly broken bones, cuts and bruises, including a few fatalities). Therefore I would advise you to consider your options.

With the transport costs, loss in holiday time, Health & Safety and all nature related information in mind, you will realise that Guided walks are saver and cheaper.

Whilst I do understand that you might want to walk on your own, you must realise the dangers you might face.

Please, consider your options!

Tags: accidents, guided walks, landslides, Nature Meetings, safety, walking

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MW Editor English June 17th, 2009

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, tips, walking

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Gerry Sluiter English May 20th, 2008

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.

Tags: dangerous walk, guides, laurisilva, levadas, Portela, Ribeiro Frio, walking

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