NORTH COAST AND WESTERN INLAND TOUR
Roads- narrow and winding, hugging the sides of mountains,
are part of the tour of Madeira experience. This is why the view
of Paúl da Serra is such a change. Stretching for miles, Paúl
(which means "marshland") da Serra is a vast plain located in the
center of the western side of the island.
In still another area showing the variety of terrain of
this small island, the northwest town of Porto Monitz reveals a
coast of natural tidal pools formed by black lava rock- remnants
of the islands history as an active volcano.
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Traveling along the rugged north coast of Madeira is a
driving (and even riding) experience. In addition to the periodic
cascading waterfall on the south side of the road, the left side
offers the traveler eye-opening views of steep drops to the ocean-
with some stretches having minimal guard railing!
Traveling east, and not quite halfway across the north coast,
is the town of São Vicente. A road beginning in this north coast
town cuts through the width of the island, ending at the south
coast town of Ribeira Brava.
Directly north of the south coast city of Funchal is the
town of São Jorge.
A short distance further east is the picturesque village
of Santana. Seen throughout this village are the interesting
"A"-shaped cottages with their thatched roofs.
Penha da Águia (Eagle Cliff) can be seen on the east side
of the village of Faial. This portion of the pictorial tour ends
with a view of Madeira's rugged north coast from the east.
The final portion of Madeira's pictorial tour will take you
from Madeira's second highest peak to the only sandy beach found
in the area.
