Discovery Walking Guides Madeira Walking Route updates 26 October 2010

 Madeira Walking Route Updates

WALKING IN MADEIRA - UPDATE

We are working closely with our authors-in-residence, Shirley and Mike Whitehead, to bring you the latest information following the floods and landslides earlier this year and the high-altitude forest fires a few weeks ago.

The island government, well aware of the importance of making good the routes as tourism is vital to their economy, is making rapid progress with restoring and re-opening routes. Their website (see below) is updated approximately monthly so we recommend you put this on your favourites and check regularly if you are considering a visit to the island. Although visitors in the next few weeks are likely to find some walks not yet passable, the island offers a wealth of beautiful routes to ensure a memorable visit.

 We have reproduced below the latest official information regarding official PR footpaths that are temporarily closed or partially closed, and a list of PR routes that are fully open.
www.madeiraislands.travel/madeira

The SRA - Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources, informs:

In an official statement from September 23rd, this entity informs that the following PR footpaths are temporarily closed for maintenance works:

• PR 1 Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro - Achada do Teixeira);
• PR 1.1 Vereda da Ilha (Achada do Teixeira - Ilha);
• PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo (Achada do Teixeira - Pico Ruivo);
• PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada (Pico Ruivo - Encumeada);
• PR2 - Vereda do Urzal (Curral das Freiras - Boaventura) - New;
• PR3 - Vereda do Burro (Pico do Areeiro - Ribeira das Cales) - New;
• PR3.1 - Caminho Real do Monte (Ribeira das Cales - Monte) - New;
• PR4 -Levada do Barreiro (Poço da Neve - Casa do Barreiro) - New;
• PR 7 Levada do Moinho (Ribeira da Cruz - Lamaceiros);
• PR 12 Caminho Real da Encumeada (Boca da Corrida - Encumeada);
• PR 14 Levada dos Cedros ( Fanal - Curral Falso);

The following footpaths are partially closed:

• PR 17 Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal (Lombo do Mouro - Caramujo - Folhadal - Encumeada); is accessible between Encumeada and Folhadal til Caramujo. The footpath between Lombo do Mouro and Caramujo is closed

(Our author Shirley adds the following comments to the above:-
?         Most of the above high altitude routes should green up again quickly now the rainy season has begun.
?         The fire affected routes are closed in order to repair safety railings etc and to clear some rock falls, so should be open again soon.
?         The routes most affected are those in the Ecological Park (Walks 4, 5 and 6 in Walk! Madeira), as there are many trees which have to be cut down.

 The SRA - Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources, informs:
The following PR footpaths are in good condition:

• PR5 Vereda das Funduras (Portela - Maroços);
• PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes (Rabaçal - 25 Fontes);
• PR6.1 Levada do Risco ( Rabaçal - Risco) - New;
• PR 8 Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço ( Baia d´Abra - Cais do Sardinha);
• PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde (Queimadas - Caldeirão Verde- Caldeirão do Inferno);
• PR 10 Levada do Furado ( Ribeiro Frio - Portela);
• PR 11 Levada dos Balcões (Ribeiro Frio - Balcões);
• PR 13 Vereda do Fanal (Assobiadores - Fanal);
• PR 15 Vereda da Ribeira da Janela (Curral Falso - Ribeira da Janela);
• PR 18 Levada do Rei (Quebradas - Ribeiro Bonito);
• PR19 Vereda do Paul do Mar (Prazeres - Paul do Mar);
• PR 20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar (Prazeres - Jardim do Mar)- NEW;
• Queimadas - Pico das Pedras;

Please note that, at the time of writing, the Jasmin Tea House (on Walks 8 & 9 in Walk! Madeira) is closed as owners Roy and Denise wish to sell it. In the meantime, there's no need to go without refreshments in this area as the delightful Hortensia Tea Rooms offers an excellent alternative, mentioned in Walk 8 walk description.

If you have recently returned from Madeira yourself we would be interested to hear your report on the walks you attempted. Please email to:
ask.discovery@ntlworld.com
- or post to:
Madeira Updates
DWG
10 Tennyson Close
Northampton NN57HJ

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