I’m lazy this morning and only manage to start out at 9 a.m.. I walk uphill on the road the carreiros, the traditional Funchal sleds, take down and understand how they overcome friction: it’s just really steep!
I climb up through the Monte suburb and up to Pico Alto (1129 m).
Here the first clouds show up and let me curse my morning tardiness. On the high plain before Pico do Areeiro, the low clouds feel like fog and on the path from Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, the magnificent view into the valleys left and right is mostly hidden.
On top of Pico Ruivo, at 1862 m Portugal’s highest peak, there is surprisingly little wind. A few birds wait for some breadcrumbs as I have lunch.
On the way down towards Santana, a light drizzle starts and the soft ground through the forest gets slippery almost immediately.
It takes longer than expected to reach the town and combined with the fact that I somehow I misremembered the bus schedule, I miss the last bus from Santana.
I order a taxi and eat a nice Pizza while I wait. After an expensive taxi ride with a very friendly driver I arrive at Funchal around 9 p.m..