The first portuguese settlers came to the island in the beginning of the 13th century. Rich merchants from Lisbon started profitable sugarfarms with slaves from North Africa working there.
The island is not more than 56 kilometers long, and 19 kilometers wide but raises steep from the sea, reacing its highest point at Pico Ruivo, more than 1860 mas. The island has been a popular target for tourists since long. First the cruisingships and later the chartertourists. Just outside the capital Funchal you find one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
On Madeira you find many beuatiful small towns and villages with old cultures and traditions.
Due to the vulcanic origin it is not one of the best places to go for people who likes to lay on the beach, but for trekkers, the island offers some very nice trails along the levadas, the old watercanals. Some of them are easy to trekk and some of the quite tough, as the ones around Pico de Arriero and Pico de Ruivo, the highest peaks.
My ”thoughest” trekk was the one from the village Porto da Cruz to Machico, along Boca de Risco, on the northern part. This trekk has a passage with a steep, more than 300 meters into the sea.
Some of the nicest inlandtrekks I have done are Levada Nigra, going from Pico de Arriero back to Funchal, and the one going from Encumeada to Curral des Freiras, Valley of the Nuns.
A tip for trekkers is, to start with some nice and easy levadatrails, as the ones going from Boa Morte to Estreito de Camara de Lobos or Levada du Nord.
Madeira is offering nice trekks and beautiful nature, and the one who likes trekking should absolutely come to this nice island, at least once.
Eagles Cliff.
Porto da Cruz
Plants at the airport.
Funchal
The interior of Madeira
The fishmarket.
Funchal
View over Funchal
Balcoes.
Levada do Norte
Botanical garden.
Funchal
Old farmhouse
Seapower
Fruitmarket.
Funchal
