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About the
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John Osaki's Blog
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 The following hiking options on the island of Madeira are available on the Azores and Madeira trip. Choose the hike that's best for you!  |
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  Levada das Rabaças and Pico Grande |
Levada das
Rabaças & Folhadal Start: Boca da Encumeada, (3,350 ft) Destination: Folhadal and the Rabaças Tunnel End: Boca da Encumeada, (3,350 ft) Estimated time: About 3.5 - 4 hours Elevation: Virtually level along the levada Highest point: Boca da Encumeada, (3,350 ft) Total distance: About 5.5 miles round trip |
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| Enjoy the lush, mossy, fern and laurel-filled greenery of Folhadal, a remnant laurisilva woodland. Hike along the lovely, agapanthus-lined Levada das Rabaças. Pass through the tunnel of the Levada do Norte and emerge into the misty “fairyland” of Folhadal. Here is one of the most beautiful stands of Madeiran woodland where you’ll find notable specimens of laurel trees (til in Portuguese) festooned with ferns. Folhado, the Portuguese name for the "lily of the valley tree" (Clethra arborea) gives this woodland its name. Stroll through this luminous, green forest along the moss-lined, gently curving Levada do Norte; it’s pure pleasure! Return to the Levada das Rabaças and follow it to the lonely levada keeper’s hut at the entrance to the Rabaças levada tunnel. As you walk back to Encumeada you’ll enjoy the sight of Pico Grande rising majestically across the valley. | |||
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 On
the trail near Boca da Corrida |
OPTION
2 Encumeada to Boca da Corrida Start: Boca da Encumeada, (3,350 ft) Destination: Through hike around Pico Grande End: Boca da Corrida, (4,030 ft) Estimated time: 5 - 6 hours Elevation: Gain of 1,480 ft; loss of 800 ft Highest point: Boca da Corrida, (4,030 ft) Total distance: About 8.75 miles |
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| Some writers consider the Encumeada to Boca da Corrida hike as the best mountain walk on Madeira. The centerpiece of this hike is Pico Grande, a mountain that can be readily identified from many places on the island by its distinctive “top-knot” of rock. From Encumeada contour through shady woods before descending into the valley of the Ribeiro do Poço passing the remains of the mostly abandoned farming settlement of Curral Jangão. Ascend toward the looming bulk of Pico Grande and follow the trail as it skirts the western and southern flanks of the mountain. Cross the windswept Passo de Ares and enjoy a glorious, view-filled walk en route to the end of the hike atop a high ridge at Boca da Corrida. From here, enjoy a fabulous view of the village of Curral das Freiras nestled in a deep valley two thousand feet below you. | |||
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© Mountain
Hiking Holidays, Inc. |
The Levada das Rabaças
