Wednesday 24th February 2010 – The Environment and Natural Resources Regional Board has advised that the following levadas and footpaths in Madeira and Porto Santo are presently in good condition and open to pedestrians:

Madeira Island

• PR1 Vereda (Footpath) do Areeiro (Pico do Areeiro – Achada do Teixeira)
• PR 1.1 Vereda (Footpath) da Ilha (Achada do Teixeira – Ilha)
• PR 1.2 Vereda (Footpath) do Pico do Pico Ruivo (Achada do Teixeira – Pico Ruivo)
• PR 1.3 Vereda (Footpath) da Encumeada (Pico de Areeiro – Encumeada)
• PR 5 Vereda (Footpath) das Funduras (Portela – Maroços)
• PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes (Rabaçal – Risco)
• PR 8 Vereda (Footpath) da Ponta de São Lourenço
• PR 11 Levada dos Balcões (Ribeiro Frio – Balcões)
• PR 13 Vereda (Footpath) do Fanal (Assobiadores – Fanal),
• PR 14 Levada dos Cedros (Fanal – CurralFalso)
• PR 15 Vereda (Footpath) da Ribeira da Janela (Curral Falso – Ribeira da Janela)
• PR 19 Vereda (Footpath) do Paul do Mar
• Queimadas – Pico das Pedras Footpath

Porto Santo Island

• PR 1 Vereda (Footpath) do Pico Branco e Terra Chã
• PR 2 Vereda (Footpath) do Pico do Castelo
• PR 3 Vereda (Footpath) do Calhau

The following levada walks and footpaths remain closed to pedestrians and are as follows:

Madeira Island

• PR 7 Levada do Moínho (Ribeira da Cruz - Lamaceiros)
• PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde (Queimadas - Caldeirão Verde)
• PR 10 Levada do Furado (Ribeiro Frio - Lamaceiros - Portela)
• PR 12 Caminho (Footpath) Real da Encumeada (Boca da Corrida – Encumeada)
• PR 16 Levada da Fajã do Rodrigues (Fajã da Amã – Ribeira do Inferno
• PR 17 Caminho (Footpath) do Pináculo e Folhadal (Lombo do Mouro – Caramujo - Folhadal - Encumeada)
• PR 18 Levada do Rei (Quebradas – Ribeiro Bonito)

Source: Madeira Promotion Bureau & Madeira Civil Defense
Date: 24 FEB 2010

Due to the enourmous quantity of rain and to the strong winds that were felt in Madeira Island on Monday night (1st of February 2010) and Tuesday, several landslides occurred around the island. This way, here is a warning about the roads that are closed:

E.R. 101 - Between Ponta Delgada and Boaventura

E.R. 101 - Between Boaventura and Arco de São Jorge

E.R. 219 - The access to llha in Santana

E.R. 213 - Between Faial and Santana

E.R. 102 - Between Camacha and João Ferino

E.R. 102 - Between Porto da Cruz and Moinhos (Serrado / Moinho)

E.R. 206 - Between Boqueirão and Gaula

E.R. 102 - Between Portela and Referta

E.R. 236 - In Maroços - Machico

E.R. 238 - Between Santo da Serra and Fonte de Santo António

E.R. 205 - Between Vale Paraíso and Palheiro Ferreiro

E.R. 201 - Caminho dos Pretos

E.R. 230 - Campanário - Between the exit of the dual lane road and E.R. 229

E.R. 203 - Carreiras

E.R. 105 - Between Encumeada and the cross roads of Estanquinhos

Source: Regional Service of Civil Defense

Madeira Islands is under orange alert due to strong winds, rain showers and rough sea with 6 meter waves. Today the ferry that links Funchal and Porto Santo did not run the trip and it will probably not run it tomorrow as well. All fishing and touristy boats have stopped operations until the weather gets better which is predicted to be only Saturday, 20th December 2009.

For the mountains the wind will be strong, about 40 to 60 km/hour and with gusts reaching 120 km/hour, so tourists and levada walkers are warned not to go walking or trekking and if driving, be very careful on the roads as this weather is propitious to rock and tree falls.

So if you are a tourist in Madeira, until Saturday we recommend you to spend your days around Funchal, visiting the market place, doing Christmas shopping or visiting museums from which we highlight the Natural History Museum with an interesting collection of "Spiders of Madeira".

Though Madeira Island is known for its security and peaceful people its is always good to be aware of some places to avoid or some security measures to take while here. Recently there has been some assaults at Pico da Torre, view point where you can see Câmara de Lobos bay from above, and also along the Levada dos Piornais. This last is a well known levada walk from Madeira guide books but you need to be careful and not do it by your own, only with a group.

The best thing to do when you wish to walk on a levada or path, for all security matters, is to go with a guide from a licensed company. Also be aware that there might be some illegal companies which will not held personal and civil liability insurances. The best way to check if a company is licensed is to go to the Madeira Tourism Board website (www.madeiratourism.org) and see the list of leisure companies there. If the company you are searching for is not listed there it means it is not legal. Clubs or associations which are not listed at the Madeira Tourism Board website are also not authorized to run activities for tourists as they do not have the right insurances and licenses.

Play safe when visiting Madeira and you will have the time of your life!

Madeira Wine Rally is the greatest automobile event in Madeira Island. This FIA european championship attracts many international rally pilots. Local people are keen for this event though sometimes some local drivers exceed speed thinking they are running the rally... Though Madeira Wine Rally is not only a racing but also touristy event we recommend people to pay attention to road closures and for the spectators, chose the best place to watch the rally putting your safety on the top of the list!

Let's make this event great for everyone, you just need to follow the rules!