Located in the municipality of Santana, on the northern coast of the island of Madeira, the Queimadas Forest park is one of the best places to observe Laurissilva Forest. Home to the typical flora of Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest, we found this park very peaceful, especially PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirao Verde the perfect place to have a relaxing walk, and admire nature, especially after a demanding hike on the previous day, Pico to Pico.
The small island of Madeira, only 57 km long and 22 km wide, is located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1000 km from the continental Portugal, and 700 km from Morocco. With an average annual temperature of almost 200 C in Funchal – the capital of Madeira, it seems that the island has an “eternal spring” type of weather, at least for us!
After a beautiful hike in the stunning Newfoundland, and a few short trails in the Adirondacks, my appetite for hiking had just ignited throughout 2023. With over 200 Levadas (hiking trails following the water canals) plus 30 Veredas (mountain or coastal paths), Madeira’s hiking network totals over 2000 km of hiking trails, a paradise for nature lovers.
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Continue readingLocated in the northeastern part of New York State, the Adirondack Mountains are about 5 hours north of New York city, or 5 hours east of Toronto. Representing the largest protected area in the contiguous United States, the Adirondack Mountains boasts with more than 2,000 miles of hiking trails, over 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 1,200 miles of rivers. They cover about 5,000 square miles (13,000 km2).
Finger Lakes region takes its name from eleven long and narrow lakes spread like fingers across the region, and it’s located within four to five-hour drive from metropolitan cities, such as Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh. Over thousands of years receding glaciers carved this landscape, giving place to an idyllic home to generations of people. No wonder why, as sparkling lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and rolling pastoral hills dominate the landscape, making Finger Lakes Region a hidden gem.
European settlers found one of the most powerful Native Americans Nations in this area, who believed that Finger Lakes were the fingerprints of the Great Spirit. It is said that the Great Spirit reached down and, in touching the earth, transformed this land into sacred ground. But the geological term finger lake refers to a long, narrow body of water occupying a glacially over deepened valley, and the most notable ones are Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Within about 9,000 square miles, there are miles of lakeshores, countless waterfalls, and vineyards; from biking, hiking, boating, fishing, to visiting museums, or quaint towns and villages, there is an activity for everyone, you name it.
Out of the hundreds of hiking possibilities in Northern Ontario, the trail going to the White River suspension bridge is the one you won’t want to miss. If you like hiking, you love nature, and suspension bridges, then this is the trail you must have on your list.
Being on the road already for few days, on our West to Northwest Road Trip, we planned carefully a full day on this rather difficult trail.
Located 95 km west of Sudbury, the town of Massey is known today for its little provincial park, named Chutes, after the chutes that used to bypass the rapids on the Aux Sables River.
The last day of October started with a bold sunny morning. It couldn’t be better, as our plan was to visit Niagara Glen, one of the best hiking opportunities in Niagara area.
The Crack
As soon as we got on the trail, I knew it. All the street noise has suddenly ceased, the only family we passed by got quiet, the silent forest enveloped us in its magic touch, and then I knew I’m going to love the place. Was it the park itself, or just my desire to get out after so much social distancing, time will say.
After a torrid month we’ve had some rain in the forecast, which made us decide to start with the most difficult day hike of the park: The Crack.
Continue readingFall is the most romantic season in Ontario. But October makes it so special because it is the month of the year when one can indulge the gorgeous foliage, thanks to the countless variety of yellow, orange and red colours that appear shortly after a couple of crisp mornings in the season.
1000 Places and Memories 