We set off in the direction of Câmara de Lobos, known as the most picturesque fishing village of our island, with a stop. Next we head to the viewpoint of Cabo Girão (589 m), recently classified as a natural monument. We then continue our journey to Ribeira Brava. Here we can visit the small market and the “promenade”. We continue along the south coast, passing the town of Ponta de Sol and then climbing up to the Paúl da Serra plateau (1400 m).
We cross the plateau towards Porto Moniz, at the extreme north west of the island, where the famous natural swimming pools are located. Stop for lunch (optional). We then return along the north coast, passing through Seixal, where we stop to contemplate the “Véu da Noiva” waterfall. We continue towards São Vicente, a green municipality. On the return to the south coast, we cross areas of native forest until we reach the Viewpoint (Miradouro) da Boca da Encumeada, with beautiful views over the valleys of the north and south coasts of the island. Return to Funchal.
Our tour starts with a visit to the parish of Camacha, where football was played for the first time in Portugal. Then we go up to Pico do Areeiro, the 3rd highest peak of the island, (1818 m) with a splendid view over the central mountainous massif. We then descend towards the Ribeiro Frio Forest Park, where we can visit the trout nurseries and observe some of the endemic species of the Laurissilva forest, such as the laurel tree (Laurus novocanariensis).
We continue our journey to Santana, in the north of the island, passing through the parish of Faial. In Santana, the only town in the north of the island, the highlight is its famous “thatched houses”. On the return trip, we go down towards the parish of Porto da Cruz, situated by the sea and where we may visit a sugar cane rum factory. We continue to the Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto in Ponta de São Lourenço, at the eastern end of the island, with sweeping views of the cliffs of the north coast. We return to Funchal, passing before the Pico do Facho viewpoint, with views over the Machico valley.
The Forestry Station of Rabaçal, near Paúl da Serra, is the starting point for the trail that gives access to the Risco Levada and the New Rabaçal Levada.
The walk along these two levadas is rated as moderate challenged and is about 11 km in length. First, we follow the Risco Levada to the waterfall of the same name, and then we drop to the 900 m elevation to follow the New Rabaçal Levada, which takes us to the pool at 25 Fontes, which gets its name from the many waterfalls there.
The path is lined with the indigenous and endemic flora of the island, especially the high-altitude vegetation, and there are indescribable views over this protected area. The return to the south coast of the island is through the Cavaleiro Tunnel (about 800 m long).
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