Exploring beyond Sofia
Menu
  • Bulgaria
    • Ecopaths
    • One place – two seasons
    • Southwest region
      • Blagoevgrad region
      • Kyustendil region
      • Pernik region
      • Sofia region
    • Thracian – Rhodope region
      • Gabrovo region
      • Haskovo region
      • Kardzhali region
      • Lovech region
      • Pazardzhik region
      • Plovdiv region
      • Smolyan region
      • Stara Zagora region
    • Danube region
      • Pleven region
      • Silistra region
      • Vidin region
      • Vratsa region
    • Black Sea region
      • Burgas region
      • Dobrich region
      • Shumen region
      • Varna region
  • Abroad
    • France
      • Lyon
      • Strasbourg
      • Toulouse
    • Germany
    • Hungary
      • Budapest
    • Iceland
    • Italy
      • Florence
      • Genoа
      • Milan
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Turin
      • Venice
      • Verona
    • Netherlands
    • Portugal
      • Aveiro
      • Azores
      • Braga
      • Cascais
      • Coimbra
      • Évora
      • Guimaraes
      • Lisbon
      • Madeira
      • Óbidos
      • Porto
      • Sintra
    • Romania
    • Seychelles
    • Spain
      • Barcelona
      • Valencia
    • United Kingdom
      • Aberdeen
      • Edinburgh
  • Guests
  • About me
    • About me
    • Contacts
    • Collaboration
    • Blog life events
  • Български
Exploring beyond Sofia
  • Bulgaria
    • Ecopaths
    • One place – two seasons
    • Southwest region
      • Blagoevgrad region
      • Kyustendil region
      • Pernik region
      • Sofia region
    • Thracian – Rhodope region
      • Gabrovo region
      • Haskovo region
      • Kardzhali region
      • Lovech region
      • Pazardzhik region
      • Plovdiv region
      • Smolyan region
      • Stara Zagora region
    • Danube region
      • Pleven region
      • Silistra region
      • Vidin region
      • Vratsa region
    • Black Sea region
      • Burgas region
      • Dobrich region
      • Shumen region
      • Varna region
  • Abroad
    • France
      • Lyon
      • Strasbourg
      • Toulouse
    • Germany
    • Hungary
      • Budapest
    • Iceland
    • Italy
      • Florence
      • Genoа
      • Milan
      • Pisa
      • Siena
      • Turin
      • Venice
      • Verona
    • Netherlands
    • Portugal
      • Aveiro
      • Azores
      • Braga
      • Cascais
      • Coimbra
      • Évora
      • Guimaraes
      • Lisbon
      • Madeira
      • Óbidos
      • Porto
      • Sintra
    • Romania
    • Seychelles
    • Spain
      • Barcelona
      • Valencia
    • United Kingdom
      • Aberdeen
      • Edinburgh
  • Guests
  • About me
    • About me
    • Contacts
    • Collaboration
    • Blog life events
  • Български
Abroad, Madeira, Portugal

Madeira – Day Two

posted by Dario
Jul 5, 2022 46 0 0
Share

The adventure of being a Portuguese #Madeira 2

Madeira has an extremely diverse, majestic, and beautiful mountainous terrain full of charm and a rich selection of tourist activities. In this article about Madeira, we will explore some places that will put the island on the palm of your hand. We will see different and unique landscapes, which stretch long eco-trails between the mountain hills, intertwined in the distance with the dark blue of the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.

Cristo Rei

Many years before my adventure in Madeira, I had seen a picture of Cristo Rei and I wished that one day I would take a picture of it. Well, what are dreams for if not for making them a reality?

Cristo Rei steers 

In addition to the beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean, there is also the panoramic platform of Cristo Rei, which provides views over the Gulf of Funchal and the marine reserve Garajau and Caniço de Baixo. This place owes its name to the statue of Christ, which faces the ocean and was built in 1927 in fulfillment of the promise of Councilor Ayres de Ornelas. A  few steps down from the statue is the peninsula of the eponymous reserve Garajau, where is the famous photograph of a path surrounded by wild cacti, which seems to merge into the endless blue of the ocean.

Cristo Rei статуя
Cristo Rei панорама

Pico Ruivo

I promised that in this article you will put Madeira on the palm of your hand, and the time has come to climb high. Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on the island of Madeira, is 1861 meters high and provides panoramic views of the island from coast to coast. However, unpredictable weather conditions can make it quite dangerous.

Pico Ruivo sign

The peak can be reached only on foot, the trail is 2.8 km long and takes about 1:30 hours to walk. The road runs along the ridge that separates the Faial and Santana cliffs, presenting excellent views to the left of the Ribeira Seca valley, topped by Pico das Torres and Pico do Areeiro in the background.

Pico Ruivo пътека
Pico Ruivo разходка

Overall, I can say that I am deeply impressed with the quality of how the trails are maintained here, despite the wild and difficult terrain. The paths were in good condition and where additional safety infrastructure was required, it was present. I would not replace the views I witnessed during this hike for anything!

Pico Ruivo view

Pico Ruivo гледка към океана
Pico Ruivo планината

Cabo Girao

We continue with the stunning views of Madeira and head towards Cabo Girao. It is the highest cape in Europe, at 580 meters above sea level. It is famous for its hanging glass skywalk platform, which was built during the renovation of the site.

Cabo Girao стъклена платформа
Cabo Girao гледка

The Cabo Girão panoramic site offers amazing views of the Rancho and Cabo Girão land’s – small areas of arable land at the foot of the cliff – as well as a unique panoramic view of the ocean and the municipalities of Camara de Lobos and Funchal.

Cabo Girao panorama

And so this is how our second day in Madeira ends. With amazing views, unforgettable emotions and recharging walks in nature on this paradise island. Don’t miss to find out what we saw on our last day here, or to remind yourself  what we saw the previous day.

Madeira – Day one

Madeira – Day three

Share

Previous

Madeira - Day one

Next

Madeira - Day Three

About me

Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

Subscribe

Be with me in every adventure!

* indicates required

legenddario

legenddario
Hiking in Bulgaria is pure ✨✨ #Bulgaria #hike Hiking in Bulgaria is pure ✨✨
#Bulgaria #hike #nature
Let's explore together the unique magic of Pirin t Let's explore together the unique magic of Pirin through the eyes of the seasons.

Proof of that is this clip from Pirin Nature Park. Just thinking that it took me almost 7 months to make this material to show the strong contrast that this place can a be cquire at different times of the year is pure magic!

At these moments, I remind myself that no matter the month, every place is fascinating and worth visiting because it has something new to show you with each new visit.

About the place:
🏔 Pirin National Park is located in the Pirin Mountains, in southwest Bulgaria;
Since 1983, the park has been protected as a UNESCO Heritage Site;

⛰Within the park, there are more than 182 species of medicinal plants and 1,315 other plant species;

🏔 The wide variety of plant life supports many kinds of animals – more than 2,000 invertebrate species and more than 200 vertebrate species;

⛰ Within the boundaries of the park, 159 species of birds have been identified;

🏔 At 2,914 meters, Vihren Peak is the highest point in the Pirin Mountains, second only to Musala in the Rila Range;
It is in this region of the park where Bulgaria’s oldest tree grows – the Baykusheva Fir, which is more than 1,300 years old;

Pirin Nature Park is an extremely important national resource and visitors should take great care to preserve its beauty by avoiding littering it. Hunting is strictly prohibited, as is fishing in many of the park’s rivers. Logging is also forbidden, as is tampering with the park’s signs and trail markers.

#mountain #hike #bulgaria
Let’s go up up up to the Kom peak Kom is the hi Let’s go up up up to the Kom peak

Kom is the highest peak of Berkovska Mountain, which is a part of the western Balkan Mountains. It is 2015m high. It is located south of the town of Berkovitsa. The lower peaks "Sreden" and "Malak" Kom are to the east of it. Kom is one of the easiest peaks for climbing. One way to climb it is from Kom hut. The duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Totally worth every step made 🕺🏻

#Bulgaria #mountain #hike
Ay, ay, ay there's adventure in our bones 🕺🏻 Ay, ay, ay there's adventure in our bones 🕺🏻

On our last hike we had the aim to go and witness the famous Bistrica waterfall and to be honest, we were pleasantly surprised. Even though we went in the middle of June the waterfall was full of water and it was amazingly majestic. 

Bistrica waterfall is located in Rila mountain, near Bistrica village, Dupnitsa municipality. The waterfall was formed by the Bistrishka River, which is water full at any time of the year, and has a height of about 35 m. 

The water falls in several cascades formed by large stone blocks. The river gorge and the waterfall are uniquely beautiful, especially in autumn, and in summer and spring it is a great place for a picnic.

With this waterfall you just witness the full power of the Bulgarian nature.

#Bulgaria #nature #waterfall
This one was quite the challenge to hike. Being ar This one was quite the challenge to hike. Being around the Balkan mountains I knew that we would need to walk a lot to reach our final destination - the megalith "The Straight Stones"

The passage between the two stone slabs is about 100 cm wide and about 4 m long. Its orientation is east-west. The northernmost stone slab is 5m high and the southern one is approximately 4m high. Both slabs are about 4m wide at their base and about 1 m thick.

The two vertical slabs are located on a stone platform approximately 6 square meters in size. It was a true adventure to visit this place but in the end it was totally worth it.

#Bulgaria #nature #hike
Exploring the nature wonders of Bulgaria. Kitches Exploring the nature wonders of Bulgaria.

Kitchestia Kaber is located 7 km from the village of Turia. This tree is the only of its type on the Balkans. Being 700 years old this is a rare occurrence and makes it an extremely valuable landmark. The interesting thing is that in Sarnena Sredna Gora the hornbeam is not widespread, which means that someone deliberately planted it.
So nowadays it is our duty to protect and respect it. Because there is nothing else more beautiful than the creations of nature.

#Bulgaria #nature #tree
While we stayed in our host town of Lithoro it was While we stayed in our host town of Lithoro it was a must to explore with a walk the surroundings. That’s how we found ourselves in front the Bath of Zeus. 

The path is easy and mostly concrete or paved, it is only just over 1 km, an easy walk to Zeus Bath Tub through a beautiful canyon. Nature around the path is magnificent with lots of greenery growing out the bedrock, caves and stunning views back to the coast. 

The waterfalls are not sensational, but it is a tranquil and relaxing spot, probably why Zeus chose it to hide his love affairs from his wife Hera.

#Greece #hike #nature
Many people don’t realize but Greece is not only Many people don’t realize but Greece is not only a sea destination, the country has the second highest mountain on the Balkans – Mount Olympus.

That’s why I decided, after climbing several times the highest peak on the peninsula - that is Musala in Rila Mountain, Bulgaria - it was time to do this Greek challenge.

Mount Olympus has 52 peaks and deep gorges. The highest peak, Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917 metres and to add that was quite a challenge to go on top of it.

But at the end the prize was worth it, to see the beautiful mountain nature, to witness some of the last winter snow and all this accompanied with breath taking panoramic views over the sea, that’s what I call the true beauty of our Earth.

#Greece #mountain #hike
Greece is particularly known for the countless bea Greece is particularly known for the countless beautiful beaches and islands that it has on its territory. So, naturally, being in a country that has border with three European seas it was inevitable to officially open the sea season. But one question popped in my head. What do people know about the Aegean Sea except its location?

With this post I will tell you some curious facts for one of the charming seas in Europe:

🌊 It is said that the sea was named after the Greek town of Aegae. Another derivation may be possible from the Greek word aiges means “waves.”

🌊 There was a civilisation named the Aegean Civilization; was a Bronze age civilization that flourished on the islands in the Sea around 2 millennium BC. In 1876 a German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann discovered it.

🌊 The area in the Aegean Sea is known as the Aegean Islands. There are more than 1400 islands the majority of which fall into the jurisdiction of Greece, while the remainder belong to Turkey. Crete is the largest Island in the region.

🌊 Many of the islands in the Aegean Sea are actually extensions of the mountains that lie in the mainland.

🌊 The maximum depth of the Aegean Sea is at the eastern side of Crete, where it reaches 3,543 meters below the sea’s surface.

🌊 In some South Slavic languages, the Aegean Sea is referred to as the White Sea.

#Greece #aegeansea #curiousfacts
Talking about breathtaking places in the Bulgarian Talking about breathtaking places in the Bulgarian mountains – Pashovi rocks is definitely one of them.
Overhanging over the deep valley of the Lyuta River as a beautiful rock massif, which offers a wonderful view of part of Rila and the whole Pirin.

The rocks are at an altitude of between 1300 and 1400 meters above sea level. The view from the rocks is very beautiful. Here is the beginning of the Rhodopes, where Rila and Pirin mountains meet. The part here is called Veliytsa. From here you can see the ridge of Balabanitsa hill, which is the first hill from Rila to the west and the peaks of Pirin to the south, and after Balabanitsa rises a second even higher hill, Rakovica. You can see part of the meadows of Yundola, the hill with the village of St. Petka, the valley of the river Ablanitsa. The horizon to the east is closed by the giants of the scale of the Rhodopes - Syutkaya and Batashki Snezhnik.

#bulgaria #hike #panoramicview
Keeping up with the beautiful panoramic views in R Keeping up with the beautiful panoramic views in Rhodope mountains we move on to Momina rock.

Momina rock is a landmark with many beautiful views. It is located near Plovdiv, only 16 kilometres south of the city. However, it is not a very famous place. If you like short walks in nature, this is a great idea.

The route combines a walk in the woods and outdoors, unique views, sheer cliffs of Momina Skala itself and is also light and pleasant.

#Bulgaria #mountain #hike
Let’s go up and admire the pure spring beauty of Let’s go up and admire the pure spring beauty of Rhodope mountains!

Our stop will be the mystic and beautiful rock phenomenon "Slaveevi Rocks" which is located about 5.5 km west of the town of Velingrad, in the Alabak mountain range. They are a unique rock complex located at the foot of Chernovets Peak. From the top of the rock massif there is an amazing panoramic view of the Chepino valley, Velingrad and the surrounding Rhodope parts - Alabak, Karkaria and Batashka mountain.

The Slaveevi Rocks are the centre of a large Thracian necropolis of several square kilometres. According to the researcher, the rock carvings of "Slaveevi Rock" indicate that there were cult facilities - sacrificial altars, pools, sacrificial pits, and fragments of pottery and clay spoons found during excavations date back to the Late Bronze or Early Iron Age.

#Bulgaria #hike #panoramicview
Witness the Bulgarian Niagara waterfall or also kn Witness the Bulgarian Niagara waterfall or also known as the waterfall near the village of Hrabrino.

The waterfall is located only 11 kilometres from the city of Plovdiv and can be easily reached by asphalt road, and then on a convenient path. The waterfall is a great idea for a light walk, because in addition to the views, you can have a picnic, there are seats by the paths, and also in front of the waterfall you can sit and admire its freshness and beauty. 

The waterfall is small, but it is full of water and powerful even during the summer season. The river next to it is also very beautiful, as the road runs right next to it.

#bulgaria #waterfall #hike
To the Rhodopes we go! On this adventure we visit To the Rhodopes we go!

On this adventure we visited Sitovo waterfall - a place far away from the human and industrial hand and completely preserved by the surrounding nature. 

It is located in the Rhodopes, 30 km from Plovdiv, right at the junction between the beautiful Rhodope villages Sitovo and Lilkovo. They can be reached by a unpaved, but relatively flat road. The left road continues to Sitovo, and the right - to Lilkovo. 

Under the bridge at the fork, which turns to Lilkovo, the passing river has formed a cascade of waterfalls. The waterfalls have a maximum drop of about 2 meters and are extremely picturesque as you can see from the pictures.

 #Waterfall #Bulgaria #hike
🚨First reel alert! Going in the high grounds o 🚨First reel alert!

Going in the high grounds of Pirin mountain we went to explore a pretty hidden gem - Bukov Dol Waterfall. It is located between the villages of Kovachevitsa and Gorno Dryanovo. Its waters are low in summer, but from snowmelt and rains in spring and autumn they increase. It can be reached by crossing the Roman bridge between the two villages. The river has clear icy waters, the forests are dense and cool, and the views are unique.

This spot is a true adventure because there is not a clear path to pass by but only some red signs to show which is the right direction. For the true explorers this is a true dream place.

Near the waterfall you can see the chapel of St. George and the remains of a Thracian sanctuary.

Thanks to @radah.b for always pushing and motivating me to try start doing this type of content. 💚

#Bulgaria #hike #waterfall
Load more pictures Follow me
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

You Might Also Like

Abroad, Guests, Iceland
Dec 11, 2018

Adventure: Georgia Koseva in Iceland – Part two

Sky full of colors (Places you can’t visit)Part two (Places you can’t visit) Part two “Travel is more than the...

Read More
0 0
Abroad, Braga, Portugal
May 4, 2021

Holy Braga

The adventure of being Portuguese #Braga Walking around northern Portugal, I had in mind several cities that I had...

Read More
0 0

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Copyrights © 2022 Exploring beyond Sofia. All Rights Reserved
Back top
 

Loading Comments...