Balcoes Walk - Laurisilva Forest & A-Framed Houses Tour

Garajau

The South East Tour starts with the pickup from your Hotel at 9h00 on Sundays. Garajau is Portuguese for tern and the village is named after the attractive black-headed seabirds. Garajau´s prominent landmark is the huge statue of Christ, which was erected in 1927. It is a replica of the Christ, in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon. It offers fine views of Funchal and of passing cruises heading for the harbour.

Porto Sao Lourenco

Ponta de São Lorenço. The eastern most point of the island. The area around Caniçal and Sao Lorenço has a similar climate to that of the island of Porto Santo. It is noticeable that the nature vegetation is different here .The north and south coast can be seen simultaneously. On a clear day Porto Santo can also be seen. Beautiful rock formation can be found in this region and one of the coast plants, the ice plant

Miradouro do Guindaste

Driving along the North Coast, we visit Guindaste viewpoint with the glass bottom presents a sweeping panoramic view of Madeira's northern coastline, stretching from Faial to the eastern tip at Ponta de São Lourenço, including the dramatic Penha d'Águia rock formation.

Porto da Cruz

Driving down to the North Coast, to a rural village of Porto da Cruz. Located at the foot of a Rock called Penha d´Aguia, and on the other side, steep terraced slopes. The only running sugar mill in the north coast is located in this village. Its brick chimney stands up high in the village. It has a beautiful sea promenade. This small village of Porto da Cruz has a maze of alleys and the former warehouses are being converted into cafes .Porto da Cruz is famous for its wine.

Santana - A-Framed Houses

The next stop is to a charming village called Santana. Presenting a picture of domestic and agricultural prosperity. The predominant colour is the greens of the terraced fields and the hay meadows, interspersed by apple, pear and cherry orchards, dotted among the haystack are triangular thatched buildings, used by local farmers as cow sheds. Traditionally people lived in these ingenious structures. You will discover how spacious the Santana ´A` farmed buildings are when you visit one.

Ribeiro Frio

We continuing your journey up hill, through small terraces lining the road where you can find all types of fruits before you reach the Madeira Laurissilva Forest. Ribeiro Frio is a delightful spot set among the Laurissilva forest This Forest was classified in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. Here the fresh clean cold water of the Ribeiro Frio (meaning cold river) are channelled into series of deep pools to create a small trout farm. Ribeiro Frio is the meeting point of several levada walks.

Balcoes Levada Walk

The Vereda dos Balcões is a brief 1.5 km trail (plus a 1.5 km return) that leads you to the stunning vistas from the Balcões Viewpoint. Hiking the Vereda dos Balcões offers the chance to encounter native and endemic species, displaying various shades of green within the Laurissilva forest. Keep an eye out for tree species of the Lauraceae family as well as the exotic species lining the trail's edges. Upon reaching the end of the trail, you'll be rewarded with the breathtaking scenery from the Balcões Viewpoint. You'll come across valleys blanketed in the dense greenery characteristic of the Laurissilva.

Pico do Arieiro

Madeira East Tour uphill heading for Pico Arieiro, 1818m (5965 fts). It is the third highest peak in Madeira. As you climb, the green woodland gives way to bare rock. There are tremendous views over an endless succession of knife-edge ridges and sheer cliffs. Cotton-wool clouds hang in the valleys. After leaving the peak Arieiro, heading home, enjoying the enormous Madeira junipers tree which has become quite rare over the years.