Walking the Levadas of Madeira

Laurisilva or laurissilva (laurel forest or forest of lauraceas madeirense) is an precious relic of the Pliocene subtropical forest on Madeira Islands. Laurel Forest (Laurisilva) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and it extends as a thick spine across the island's lateral center.

Levada which in Portuguese means "led" or "carriageway", but more correctly defined as is an irrigation channel or aqueduct ... mini-canal on the island of Madeira. The levadas originated out of the necessity of bringing large amounts of water from the rainfall heavy and wet regions on the north of Madeira island to the drier sun parched regions of the south.

See the Madeira's dramatic landscapes ... its mix of rugged mountains and volcanic peaks, plunging precipice and the unique Laurisilva / Laurissilva ... primeval laurel forests.

Mountain walks in Madeira is an exciting experience. Walking across ridges at 6,000ft, green valleys, deep ravines, underneath waterfalls, and discovering hidden lakes.

The largest nature's historical legacies on the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira has been described as the floating Garden of the Atlantic, full of exotic vegetation and trees from all over the world, specially from tropical areas. Approx. forty-two species of birds have been registered on the Islands.