A 'must visit' for anyone visiting Madeira. Drive up and up via hair pin (sometimes hair raising) bends to be rewarded with the the sights, smells and sounds in the spectacular slopes of natural unplanned vibrant forest.
So much of Madeira is worth seeing but the forests have got to be close to the top of my list. Weather can change quickly here but seeing it in all conditions is an experience in itself. Up into the clouds you can imagine you're the only one on the island, the stillness and raw beauty is a rare thing in Europe - visit it whilst it's still there.
Take a bus to Ribeiro frio for walks in this wonderful forest," balcoas" vieuwpoint west of ribeiro frio and leveda walk upto 2hours east of bus stop.Much cooler and wetter than Funchal prepare warm clothes in winter
we didn't see much the day we drove through the forest. There were low hanging clouds everywhere. We could just see for about 50 metres.
If you're going to Madeira you have to experience the Laurissilva upclose and the best place to do it, if you're short on time, is the levada dos Balcões on the Ribeiro Frio natural park. Is on the right side of the island between Santana and the Pico do Areeiro and it's easy to walk, in the middle of the Laurissilva and very short (about 20m) ending in a breathtaking view over the mountains and the forest. You'll thank me later...
Cool in the heat and so easy to see Madeiran Firecrests and Chaffinches. Very few people out and about so easy to feel alone in March. Tree ferns and eucaliptus trees too
For a first short experience of the lovely levada walks, and one you can easily do on your own, take the Horarios do Funchal #56 (which goes to Santana) from the bus station by the Monte cable car station in Funchal. We caught the 10am bus and returned from Ribeiro Frio on the 13:15 bus, although there is another at just after 6pm. The ride is exciting on the switchback roads with great views of the city and port, and as you go up further (particularly in May and June) spectacular with the gorgeous flora - the roads lined with blue Pride of Madeira, white argyranthemum bushes and pink Madeiran geraniums, and the hillsides smothered in golden broom (see pics, which don't do it justice.) After a lovely 45 minute journey costing only 3.35E (June 2014), disembark at the pretty village of Ribeiro Frio.Wander down the road to the sign on the left for Balcoes. The round trip will take you about 40-60 mins (unless you take a picnic) on a level path to a stunning view to the north coast of the island (clouds permitting!) Don't forget to take a few crumbs for the friendly Madeiran chaffinches at the viewpoint. You might be lucky enough to spot the shy Madeiran firecrest or the rare Tracaz pigeon en route.Whilst waiting for the return bus (stops opposite the cafe), you could wander round the trout farm or have a coffee and cake in the cafe or a drink at the bar, or even wander a short way along the Portela levada (although this is closed for repair at the moment). Take appropriate clothing - it can be cooler and damper than in Funchal!
阔叶群...是的,有很多森林,不过它就是这样的。我们去过这个可爱的小岛2次,都没有让我们失望。仍然还有一些活动没做,所以至少还会再去一次。上山有几条不错的路可走,从那里我们仅仅用了差不多一个小时的时间。丰沙尔的食物很棒......埃斯帕达鱼还不错,但是价格似乎有些偏贵(按照鱼的价格来说)。吃之前,看看调味的香蕉酱是否合适,或者仅仅只是一半!附近桑塔纳的埃斯帕达看起来生意非常好!试试去修女谷看看那里特别的风景吧,到村庄里还能尝到热腾腾的栗子。就像有人所说的那样,你可以像我们第一次一样租辆车。这样做的好处和坏处分别是:价格还算合理,想拍照的时候可以随时随地停下来等,但是在弯曲而又刮风的路上,作为司机你会错过很多东西。我们迷你巴士的司机是个很娴熟的司机,知识渊博而且能熟练的使用英语。所以一路上我都可以很放松,而且能看到很多风景。住大西洋假日酒店有些方面比较划算,而在赌场隔壁的佩斯塔纳酒店也从未令我们失望。也许是我们住过的最好的酒店了。第二天,天气格外糟糕(真正的热带雨天!)我们没法外出,去了他们的共享时间表演现场渡过了那个下午。计划一下假期去那里,你可能一个星期,最多两个星期就可以把一切都安排好了......那不是个很大的地方,但是酒店和餐厅里的人以及外面的人都特别友好、特别有礼貌。去看看Madeiran狗......这是世界上最懒惰的动物,但遗憾的是被大多数人忽略掉了。一定要去吃吃缆车下面的冰淇淋。千万不要被骗上5美元(35元)左右的钱,一些水果市场的人会用一片奇怪的水果或其它东西诱惑你,想想你得到的是什么,而且用钱衡量一下。奶冻苹果和一些很奇怪的用香蕉做的东西很不错,但不值我们所付的那个价钱......我们被敲诈了。想象一下滑雪橇穿过大街的时候被一些无聊的"gondaliers"从身边挤过是什么感觉吧......我没有测量过时间,但是我认为绝对花不到5分钟时间。如果滑道跟我们滑的一样陡的滑,价格是25欧元(225元)。而且他们还有胆量拿出帽子要小费!他们这是唯一一次对我们的娱乐表示有兴趣,所以我拒绝了。Madeira收小费的次数并不多,但不停的在涨,而且应该要有更好的服务才值得花小费。
This forest is typical of Madeira and the Canary Islands, but is threatened by encroaching development. A good place for walking.
Hiking in these forests is incredible, just wonderful. When the mist passes through the trees, the atmosphere is almost mystical. Laurel forest is a highly endangered type of vegetation, and every effort should be taken for protection and conservation - it's definitely worth it!