About the Book
Madeira is a wonderful destination for walkers, offering a breathtaking diversity of landscapes; lushly verdant slopes, towering volcanic peaks, dramatic gorges and soaring cliffs surprise and amaze the newcomer. Add the levada network, primeval forests, subtropical flora and the superb landscaped gardens - little wonder that the island is fondly called "The floating garden of the Atlantic". Shirley Whitehead, Madeira's resident walking expert, has brought together over 40 'Leisure Walks' adventures suitable for a wide range of abilities and age groups. Madeira Walks volume 1 offers a wealth of choice for every walker and explores the best areas the island has to offer. With Madeira Walks in your pocket, your visit to Madeira becomes an unforgettable adventure.Each 'Leisure Walk' description includes:- Route Summary giving overall view of the route and access information; Ratings for Effort, Time, Distance, Ascents/Descents, Refreshments, and Vertigo risk (where applicable), in an easy to see pictorial 'Summary' box; fully detailed walk description, including frequent timings to aid navigation and check your progress; gps waypoints at every key point on every route (subject to reception); full colour 1:40,000 scale mapping for each route taken from the latest edition of Madeira Tour & Trail Map.
Shirley is an expert on Madeira's flora, describing the varied and exotic plant life we encounter on each Leisure Walk. For gps users Discovery Walking Guides provides free gpx waypoint files for Madeira Walks as a zip file download from its website.
Table of Contents:
Contents The Authors Acknowledgements Preface Adverse weather conditions Introduction Topography Climate The Levadas Flora and Fauna Walking Getting Around Places to Visit & Other Things To Do Symbols Rating Guide Map InformationWalk Locator Maps Map Notes & Legend Using GPS on Madeira THE WALKSWALKS IN FUNCHAL & THE CENTRAL REGION1. Praia Formosa to Camara de Lobos 1 walker, 11/4 hours, 3km , ascents/descents negligible, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 4 (linear one way, circular with bus) 2. Romeiros to Jasmin Tea House and Palheiro Gardens 1 walker, 2 hours, 8km, ascents negligible, descents 100 metres,vertigo risk 1, refreshments 2 (linear one way, circular with bus) 3. Levada do Norte & Levada da Rabacas - Encumeada 1 walker, 2 hours, 6km, ascents & descents negligible,vertigo risk 1, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)4. Levada do Norte: Estreito de Camera de Lobos - Cabo Girao 2 walker, 21/2 hours, 8km, ascents 35 metres, descents negligible,vertigo risk 1, refreshments 2 (linear one way)5. Levada dos Piornais - Madeira Shopping to Funchal Lido area 3 walker, 31/2 hours, 9km, ascents negligible, descents 240 metres,vertigo risk 3, refreshments 4 (linear one way)6. Levada dos Piornais - Santa Rita circular 2 walker, 2 hours, 5km, ascents & descents 160 metres, vertigorisk 3, refreshments 1 (circular)7. Eira do Serrado to Curral das Freiras (Nun's Valley) 2 walker, 11/4 hours, 2.5km, ascents negligible, descents 405metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 2 (linear one way)8. Ecological Park to Monte (PR 3.1 Caminho Real do Monte) 3 walker, 2 hours, 5km, ascents 30 metres, descents 620 metres,vertigo risk 0, refreshments 3 (linear one way, circular with bus)9. Monte - Bom Sucesso - Funchal 3 walker, 2 hours, 7km, ascents 20 metres, descents 550 metres,vertigo risk 2, refreshments 0 (circular, with bus/Teleferico)10. Levada dos Tornos Monte - Babosas - Curral Romeiros 3 walker, 1 hour 50 mins, 6km, ascents & descents 200 metres,vertigo risk 3, refreshments 3 (circular) WALKS IN SOUTH EAST AND NORTH EAST REGION 11. Levada da Azenha - Caminho Velho do Castelo (PR23) 1 walker, 1 hour, 2.6km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)12. Sao Lourenco: Prainha - Pico da Piedade 1 walker, 1 hour, 3km, ascents & descents 120 metres, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 1 (circular) 13. Arco de Sao Jorge to Boaventura 2 walker, 13/4 hours, 4km, ascents 230 metres, descents 200metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 2 (linear one way)14. Santana - Faja da Rocha do Navio 2 walker, 2 hours, 6km, ascents 50 metres, descents 420 metres,vertigo risk 1, refreshments 1 (circular, with Teleferico)15 Levada do Canical (East) 2 walker, 11/2 hours, 5km, ascents 20 metres, descents 230metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 2 (linear one way)16. Levada do Castelejo, Sao Roque 2 walker, 3 hours, 8km, ascents & descents 50 metres, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 0 (linear out and back)17. Pico do Facho - Machico 3 walker, 11/4 hours, 3km, ascents 90 metres, descents 320 metres,vertigo risk 0, refreshments 2 (linear one way)18. The Old Trail to Canical 2/3 walker, 2 hours, 5.5km, ascents 90 metres, descents 310,metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 2 (linear one way) WALKS IN CENTRAL EAST REGION 19. Vereda dos Balcoes - (PR11) 1 walker, 3/4 hour, 3km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 3 (linear out and back)20. Santana - Pico das Pedras to Queimadas 1 walker, 11/4 hours, 5km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)21. Abrigo de Pastor Circular - Poiso 1 walker, 11/2 hours, 4km, ascents & descents 120 metres, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 1 (circular)22. Santo da Serra - Serrado das Ameixieras - Madre de Agua 2 walker, 21/2 hours, 8km, ascents & descents 100 metres, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 1 (circular)23. Pico do Areeiro - Juncal Viewpoint - Ninha da Manta 2 walker, 11/2 hours, 3km, ascents & descents 150 metres, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)24. Levada do Furado (PR10) Ribeiro Frio to Portela 3 walker, 31/2 hours, 11km, ascents negligible, descents 200metres, vertigo risk 1, refreshments 2 (linear one way)24A. Levada do Furado: Ribeiro Frio to Santa da Serra 3 walker, 4 hours, 14km, ascents neg. descents 190 metres, vertigorisk 1, refreshments 2 (linear one way)WALKS IN CENTRAL WEST REGION 25. Rabacal: Levada do Risco (PR6.1) 1 walker, 2 hours, 4.2km, ascents 20 metres, desents 240 metres,vertigo risk 0, refreshments 0 (linear out and back)26. Rabacal: Ribeira Grande 1 walker, 2 hours, 6km, ascents & descents 20 metres, vertigorisk 1, refreshments 0 (linear out and back)27. Levada do Paul - Cristo Rei - Fatima Chapel, Rabacal 1 walker, 31/2 hours, 10km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)28. Around Fanal 1 walker, 11/4 hours, 4km, ascents & descents 70 metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 0 (circular)29. Cristo Rei - Levada Bica da Cana 2 walker, 2 hours, 6km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigorisk 1, refreshments 0 (linear out and back)30. Vereda das Chao dos Louros - Sao Vicente Valley (PR22) 1 walker, 11/4 hours, 1.9km, ascents & descents 60 metres, vertigorisk 0, 0 refreshments (circular)31. Estanquinhos to Pico Ruivo do Paul 3 walker, 2 hours, 5km, ascents & descents 170 metres, vertigorisk 0, refreshments 0 (figure of eight circular)32. Fanal to Curral Falso - (PR14 Levada dos Cedros) 2 walker, 5 hours, 11.6km, ascents & descents 290 metres,vertigo risk 1, refreshments 0 (linear out and back)33. Curral Falso to Ribeira da Janela - (PR15) 2 walker, 11/2 hours, 2.7km, ascents negligible, descents 440metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 1 (linear one way)34. Bica da Cana - Pinaculo - Bica da Cana 3 walker, 21/2 hours, 6km, ascents & descents 160 metres,vertigo risk 1, refreshments 0 (circular)35. Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6) via Calheta Tunnel 2 walker, 3 hours, 8km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigorisk 2, refreshments 0 (linear out and back)WALKS IN SOUTH WEST AND NORTH WEST REGION 36. Levada do Moinho - Achadas da Cruz - circular 1 walker, 2 hours, 6km, ascents & descents 100 metres, vertigorisk 1, refreshments 2 (circular)37. Santa - Porto Moniz circular 2 walker, 11/2 hours, 5km, ascents negligible, descents 462metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 5 (linear one way)38. Levada Nova - Faja da Ovelha to Ponta do Pargo 2/3 walker, 3 hours 10 mins, 10km, ascents 0m, descents 150metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 1 (linear one way)39. Levada da Ribeira da Janela -Lamaceiros 3 walker, 4 hours, 12km, ascents & descents negligible, vertigorisk 1, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)40. Ponta do Pargo to Cabo 2 walker, 31/4 hours, 8km, ascents & descents 225 metres,vertigo risk 0, refreshments 1 (linear out and back)41. Faja da Ovelha -Paul do Mar 3 walker, 21/4 hours, 7km, ascents 20 metres, descents 610metres, vertigo risk 0, refreshments 2 (linear one way)Glossary AppendicesA. Useful Information B. Gardens, Nature Reserves, Natural History, Museums, Festivals & Events C(1). Official Recommended Trails For Hikers C(2). Disabled Routes D. Reference Sources E. Bus Information Place Names Index
About the Author :
The authors, Shirley and Mike Whitehead, settled in Madeira in 2002 and live in Jardim do Mar on the south west coast. Both born in Lancashire England, they lived for many years in Yorkshire where they pursued their interest in walking and the environment, particularly in West Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales.Since moving to Madeira they have spent much of their time discovering the island's diverse landscape and its natural and cultural history, walking the levadas, forest trails, moorland and mountain tracks and coastal routes as well as visiting many of the towns, villages and hamlets across the island.Their previous walking guides, 'Shirley Whitehead's Madeira Walks' and 'Walk! Madeira' with Shirley & Mike Whitehead, were published by Discovery Walking Guides Ltd with subsequent editions produced in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Review :
Madeira walking with a good track record (By Robin Walker on 19 April 2015, Amazon Verified Purchase) I've had earlier books written by these resident walkers on Madeira, and this new volume looks to be up to their usual high standard. There are 41 walks categorised as 'leisure' in this volume; apparently there's a second volume planned for more challenging routes. The walk descriptions are clearly described, while the map sections (for every walk) and colourful photos make for an attractive and practical book. I'm eager now to try the book out 'in the field'.;A Great Guidebook-But A Word of Caution (By Trinity on 28 Jun. 2015, Amazon Verified Purchase) Excellent guide book which took us to some beautiful places that we would otherwise not have found. One word of caution: we are quite fit and walk up to 20 miles a week regularly but all of these walks took us longer than the book forecast (generally 50% longer) and they are walks that need serious footwear, preferably walking boots.;Great detail with accurate descriptions (By Lindy Lou on 7 Jun. 2015 Amazon Verified Purchase) Great detail with accurate descriptions. I hadn't realised how leisurely some of the walks would be, so going to buy the other volume for more if a challenge.
