Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sion, most
levadas
follow the
contours of the landscape, wind-
ing in and out of valleys,
descending gradually from the
high peaks of the island's central
massif to the ridges and terraces
of the south.
*
Guided Tours
Top 10 Levada Tips
!
Sunflower Guide
Don't go anywhere
without an accurate map
and reliable directions.
Sunflower's
Landscapes of
Madeira
has both, and is
updated constantly.
@
Dimensions
Levada
walking is easiest if
you join a guided tour. Madeira
Explorers and Nature Meetings
are good companies; the tourist
board
(see p102)
will have details
of others.
d
Madeira Explorers. 219
763 701 • Nature Meetings. 291 200 686
A typical
levada
is 0.5 m
(one and a half ft) wide and 0.8
m (two and a half ft) deep, with
narrow paths 1 m (3 ft) wide.
#
How Far Can You Go?
There are now 2,200 km
(1,365 miles) of
levada
paths
to choose from - it would
take three consecutive
months to walk them all.
$
Footwear
Paths can be both muddy
and slippery, so be sure to
wear sensible weatherproof,
non-slip footwear.
%
Temperature
It can be cold and wet
higher up Madeira's moun-
tains, so take warm and
waterproof clothing.
^
Water
Waterfall, Risco Valley
Water is everywhere, but
it is not it to drink, so carry
your own supplies.
&
Tunnels
(
Levada dos Tornos
You can combine a
levada
walk with a visit to the Quinta do
Palheiro Ferreiro
(see pp24-5)
.
Exit the garden, turn right, and
walk up to the village. Beyond the
café, look for signs to the Levada
dos Tornos and Jasmin Tea House
- an ideal spot for lunch
(see p79)
.
)
Rabaçal
Carry a small light so that
you can negotiate tunnels
without bumping your head.
*
Vertigo
Some
levada
paths have
very steep drops. Turn back if
you experience dizziness.
(
Last Resort
If vertigo strikes, as a last
resort you can always get into
the
levada
channel and walk
to safety.
)
Vegetation
A popular walk, if you are
visiting the Paúl da Serra
(see
p82)
, starts from Rabaçal. From
there, walk down to the Forest-
ers' House, and turn right along
the
levada
signposted “Risco .
After 20 to 30 minutes' walk
through primeval woodland you
will reach a pretty waterfall.
Levada
paths pass trees
festooned with hair-like lichen,
and cliffs with beautiful and
succulent ferns.
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