Funchal first, then up into the mountains
We started in Funchal and spent the first couple of days around the old town. Curral das Freiras was our first trip into the mountains, and the first time we got a sense of how abruptly the island rises.
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17On the ridge
Our first proper hike, and the famous one. The path spends most of its time on the ridge, with huge drops on either side. By the time we reached the top the cloud had moved in, so we saw less than we had hoped. Still worth it.
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35Above the cloud line
This was the hike of the trip. Quieter than Pico do Arieiro, and we both agreed with extraordinary views from start to finish. The peak itself was the most impressive, as we both felt on top of the world. On the way back the cloud stayed just beneath the path for most of the descent. It added a mystic mood to the whole experience.
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50Where the forest runs out
The dry eastern tip of the island felt like somewhere else entirely. After several days of forest and cloud, there was suddenly almost no green left.
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61High cliffs, coastal towns and greener valleys
This part of the trip was more about driving around on the winding roads of the north coast, stoping at the many viewpoints and relaxing in the natural pools. We also did a hike in one of the levandas, it was nice but slightly less impressive than the Picos.
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