The barren coastal trails at Ponta de Sao Lourenco are great for hiking, as are the forest trails through the tropical abundance of the Parque Natural do Ribeiro Frio. The east of Madeira is rugged landscape, and the steep valleys and ravines are dotted with small villages and hamlets that help give scale to the immense views.
The towns of Santana and Sao Vicente are good bases if you’re thinking of tackling some of the island’s more interesting hiking trails; up to the high mountain summits of Pico do Arieiro and its big brother Pico Ruivo are breathtaking.
They’re also great places to stay if you’re simply looking for that authentic Madeiran experience – take a look at our seven nights in Santana holiday.
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