Walking guide Madeira Walks Volume Two: Challenging Trails & High Altitude Routes

A walker's paradise, Madeira has it all - majestic mountains, rugged coastline, ancient forests, a unique levadi network and verdant flora; easy to understand why so many hikers return year after year. In 2015, Madeira was named "Best Island Destination in the World" by the World Travel Awards, the latest accolade of the two previous years when it was named "Best Island Destination in Europe". Quite an achievement, largely thanks to significant EU investment over the past decade in improving and developing the island's infrastructure and facilities. One of the initiatives focused on improving and creating new hiking trails, making Madeira now considered one of the best hiking destinations in Europe. To date, around thirty routes in Madeira have been identified as recommended walking routes and currently our guidebooks are the only publications to include all of these routes. We have also taken into account the many comments we have received from walkers in recent years.
Taking all of the above into account, we have reorganized our books into a compendium of two editions; Madeira Walks: Volume One, Leisure Trails (published May 2015) included the shorter and easier trails while Madeira Walks: Volume Two includes 40 more challenging and high altitude trails. There is a good balance with coastal routes, forest trails, moorland and mountain trails and levada walks, although the terrain varies greatly. We've introduced a number of new routes and continue to include our favorite off-the-beaten-track routes, so regardless of fitness level, age or ability, there's something for everyone. Both books are organized by geographic area and then by level of effort under each heading. All trails are mapped using GPS satellite navigation. The authors and their fellow walkers have walked all these routes and continue to revisit as many as possible, especially those that we believe are subject to change; this guarantees accuracy and up-to-date information for hikers. Clear descriptions guide the hiker both to the starting point and through the routes, with gradations, distances, times and heights as symbols.
While distances vary considerably, many of the routes have steep climbs or descents and a few are subject to some extremely steep sections. Some information on flora and fauna is also included, while references to places of interest give the reader an impression of the culture and history surrounding these routes. The map sections have been developed based on the Madeira Tour & Trail Map, by far the most current and best-selling map of the island. In addition to the hiking trails, viewing platforms (miradouros) can be found throughout the island, offering strategic positions for the most beautiful views. Barbecue and picnic areas are also located in scenic places on the island.