Santo de Serra to Riberiro Frio

Today we followed the Levada do Furado up into the Laurisliva forest hills of the Madeira Natural Park from Santo de Serra to Ribeiro Frio a distance of some 10 miles. We were promised magnificent views at a number of points along the levada as it threads its way along the hillsides. In reality the views were few and far between.

Having said that today’s trek was much more dramatic and challenging than yesterday with narrower paths and uneven going underfoot and we were above any form of settlement, so this was a much better hiking experience.

We were picked up at the restaurant at the end of the trail is Riberiro Frio and transported to our next hotel, the Quinta de Furao in Santana, such a contrast to yesterday’s place. This is a 4 star spa hotel with swimming pools, jacuzzi and the works.

Us four hot, sweaty and tired people seemed out of place in such luxury. We quickly availed ourselves of the facilities, had a drink in the bar and went for a meal. I had the Portuguese sausage Algeria, a national dish. The others had ribeye steak. All were good.

It’s a shame we’re only staying one night here before moving on to our penultimate overnight stay. The extra is a view from our balcony looking over some of the hotel grounds, the dragon’s tail peninsula where we were on Wednesday and the rocky cliffs along which we walked Tuesday.