Tucked away in the Atlantic Ocean, away from the mainland of Europe, lies the island of Madeira. Also known as the Hawaii of Europe, this volcanic island which belongs to Portugal, has gained popularity over the recent years and I understand why.
As I arrived and got a first glimpse of the island from the plane, I was instantly impressed by the coastline. On Madeira, you don’t find sandy beaches, but rocky coasts and impressive cliffs instead. The most remarkable of them all is the Ponta do São Lourenço, where red rocks rise out of the ocean and the views are spectacular. With plenty of hiking trails on this peninsula, it was a great way to start my trip to Madeira.
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Levada hikes of Madeira
Madeira is also known for its many hiking trails and attracts a lot of active people looking for some world-class hiking. Particularly known are the Levada hikes, which are irrigation systems made back in the days that now can be hiked. The island has dozens of them, but my favorite Levada hike on Madeira was the Levada das 25 Fontes, which ends at a spectacular waterfall which consists of 25 streams.
Hiking the Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo
If you’re more into mountain hiking, a sunrise hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo has to be on your list. This gorgeous ridge hike is a highlight of Madeira, and there’s something soothing, yet scary about walking above the clouds on the edge of a mountain. This hike is what draws people to Madeira and it’s easy to see why this is the island’s most popular hike. I started the hike before sunrise and waited for the sun to come up above the clouds. I got rewarded with a serene and beautiful sunset and set out to walk this cool ridge hike, literally above the clouds. With 360 degree views over the mountains and valleys of central Madeira it’s no wonder why this hike is so popular. Narrow stretches over the ridge are fenced off as the descent is very steep and the path at points not even wide enough for two people, but that’s half the fun!
Fanal forest of Madeira
Another highlight of Madeira is the Fanal forest, which is an ancient forest of Laurel trees, with many of them dating back hundreds of years. They look like big olive trees and are a UNESCO heritage site. The forest is known for being at its most beautiful when there are low clouds in the mountains, creating a dense layer of fog. When I arrived at the forest, I had a clear sunset and no fog. The next morning however, the weather changed and I ended up in the thick fog, which made the entire forest very mysterious.
Porto Moniz and Ribeira da Janela
In the northwest of Madeira, you can find the natural pools of Porto Moniz. These pools in the lava rocks are connected to the ocean and are a great way to enjoy the sunny weather of this beautiful part of Madeira. This area feels very different from the south and it’s definitely more rugged, with high cliffs and lots of green. Make sure to also visit the rock formations of Ribeira da Janela when you make it this far west. The drive over is stunning and takes you through beautiful valleys with viewpoints along the way.
