Madeira is a volcanic island, with peaks reaching up to 6000’/1800m. When the moisture carried by the northeasterly Portuguese trade winds reaches the island, the result is very wet conditions on the windward side of the island, and arid conditions on the leeward side of the mountains.
To address the water needs of the growing population in the 1500s, the construction of a vast network of levadas, or aqueducts, was started. Carved into the sides of the steep mountains, these levadas carried water from the wet northern side of the island to the settled southern side. After centuries of construction, there are 1350 miles/2000 km of levadas, remarkable for an island less than 300 sq miles/800 sq km in area.
The levadas have walking paths alongside, and the hiking is absolutely fantastic. The trails run through ancient forest, along steep cliffs with astounding views of the steep peaks and of the ocean, and even through some of the 25 miles/40 km of tunnels that were blasted to build the levadas.
The walking along the levadas is a definite highlight of Madeira, an island filled with highlights.
