Part 1 is here: SOTA in Madeira Part 1 (10th May 2025) - Activation Reports - SOTA Reflector
Part 2 is here: SOTA in Madeira Part 2 (11th May 2025) - Activation Reports - SOTA Reflector
Part 3 is here: SOTA in Madeira Part 3, GOAT day for Helen (13th May 2025) - Activation Reports - SOTA Reflector
Our holiday in Madeira was drawing to a close but we still had the two biggest, accessible summits to activate if we could. The weather had not been kind and our planning had been haphazard to say the least. I needed the points but in what order? If everything had been perfect the biggest summit would’ve been last.
The forecast for the 15th May 2025 was to be clear of cloud on all the tops till lunchtime, the best possible day in all the time we were on the island, this made the choice easy, go for the best views and maximum points. Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) it had to be. We knew we had to get there early and forgo breakfast leaving at 6am in the dark and arriving just before sunrise at 7am. The carpark at Achada do Teixeira was already nearly full of eager walkers in their bright mountain gear, I felt very underdressed in a tee-shirt with fleece tied round my waist; it wasn’t cold! If you thought we were being irresponsible, we had wet weather gear in our bag, just in case. Helen walked round the back of the café to take in the sunrise (there were a number of people doing the same). We were well above the clouds, not an inversion, just very high at 1600 metres! Then after a final few photographs around the carpark we loaded up and set off.
View of the sunrise at 7:04am from behind the café at Achada do Teixeira looking east to the promontory of the island and the sea below the clouds before climbing to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
The view of the walkway entrance to the café at Achada do Teixeira but this time it is not raining
The start of the walk to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) with the moon still high
The route itself is paved all the way, just wide enough for walkers to pass and well known to tourists, it being just a little less popular than the summit of Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004) for those looking for views without more effort than driving to the carpark! For those who want the walk, the PR1 Vereda do Areeiro trail joins that peak with Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001). Unfortunately the trail was closed due to wild fires a few months previous so we did not have the option to try that route. The most you could do was walk 1 km to a viewing platform and when it was busy people were collecting 3€ before walkers were allowed on the track.
The route to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) from the Achada do Teixeira carpark
We had arrived early and realised many had set off before us, but equally, we had to beat the next rush of people that would start after being dropped off by coaches. This was actually a really good time because much of the walk we were by ourselves with everyone going the same direction and the odd couple ahead or catching up from behind; we were in no rush. We enjoyed the quiet and the views, stopping now and then to take in the scenery and the odd photograph knowing it would not be like this on the summit or on our return. It was a steady climb before dropping into a col and then it rose towards the café, Casa de Abrigo, built below the summit just before the final and steepest section of the walk. The last climb up zig-zag steps quickly had us to the top.
The view south to the radar dome on Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004) and the inaccessible (you need ropes) summit of Pico das Torres (CT3/MI-003) near the start of the walk to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
I cast a long shadow in the early morning
One of the shelters along the track up to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
The view along the path towards the summit of Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) with the shelter/café, Casa de Abrigo, below and people walking along the summit ridge between the viewpoints at each end and the trig-point near the middle
The view northeast towards Santana while on the track to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
The view southeast looking along the deep valley between the route to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) and Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004)
Getting closer to the shelter and the summit of Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
A robin admires the view over the valley as we approach the summit of Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
We arrived on the summit a bit after 8:30am (I was taking it easy as my back was still a little sore) with many people already admiring the views from the main high point and the two extremes of the ridge. Each end of the narrow summit had a viewpoint with one a view down to the café and the track we had walked up (looking north), the other more open towards the south of the summit with a view over the central massif towards Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004); always easy to see due to the radar “mushroom” on the summit. We set up just southeast of the top to be away from those enjoying the magnificent backdrop above the clouds.
We chose the day (and indeed the early morning start) for the best weather but this was probably also the best radio conditions we had all week. I set up for 17 meters and spent a little over half an hour to get 44 contacts, all into Europe, including a summit-to-summit with Fabio (IK2LEY/P) on Monte Due Mani (I/LO-192) and a contact with GB3RS, the National Radio Centre in Bletchley Park. While I was operating, Helen had various discussions with people asking what we were doing as we were very conspicuous. We swapped to 20 meters and Helen took over for another half hour. First in the log was Don (G0RQL) who we had not spoken to for some time, followed by another 22 contacts into Europe and a surprise contact with Jordan (VK2FR). Another two summit-to-summits, Jace (MM7VXJ/P) on Norman’s Law (GM/SS-262) and René (HB9CRY/P) on Monts Chevreuils (HB/VD-031), were also in the logbook. By now the summit was getting very busy so time to go.
CT9/G6WRW/P activates Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) with the view toward the south and Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004)
The view east while CT9/G6WRW/P activates Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
CT9/M0YHB/P activates Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) with the view up to the trig-point
We spent some time taking in the views at the trig-point and then walked over the northern viewpoint to find the nearby geocache. Now it was a lot busier with queuing people climbing the steep path from the café. It was getting as bad as Snowdon! So pleased we got there early. On the way down we looked for various geocaches we had decided not to do on the way up, dodging the crowds as we ambled back to the carpark. The cloud had started to obscure the view back to the summit as we descended and this only got worse by the time we got back to Achada do Teixeira at lunchtime. The carpark now full and overflowing with parked vehicles winding quite a way down the road.
The view of the shelter/café below the summit and the route back to Achada do Teixeira from the northern viewpoint of Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
The view of the now overflowing carpark at Achada do Teixeira nearing our destination on our return from Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001)
We set off for a celebratory meal at a restaurant overlooking the island of Porto Santo in Sao Jorge which served Espetada Madeirense, meat cooked over charcoal on a skewer (along with Filete de Espada, Scabbard fish with banana and passionfruit, is one of the local dishes) and continued to explore the north coast.
Traditional Espetada Madeirense being served
The weather forecast was for cloud and rain inland so Friday and Saturday were days to relax and explore the island, with a walk around the area local to our hotel in Ponta da Oliveira and a drive around the north and west coast of Madeira. This included Porto Moniz with its natural pools next to the sea and aquarium, Achadas da Cruz and the cable car down cliffs to a farmed rock fall beach, and the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo (the most westerly point).
I still needed six points to reach double Goat and the easiest way to do this was to activate the summit we could easily recognise whenever we could see it, Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004, 8 points), because of the radome. This summit being a “drive-on” could be done if the weather was poor to finally get double goat while away.
The weather was better than our previous visit and it seemed less busy so we set up next to the carpark for a quick activation, both of us just looking for the required contacts on 20 metres. I made nine contacts in as many minutes including summit-to-summits with Tom (I/HB9EVF/P) and Tabea (I/HB9HXJ/P) on Monte le Rocchette (I/LG-059) and CR5DBS (a special call for SK, Pedro) on Candal (CT/BA-012). Helen then took over and struggled to get the four but in the end she had seven contacts including Tom and Tabea who were actually clearer than 20 minutes before. I had read that there was a flare the day before so propagation was worse than any other time we were on the island, 17 metres was down, and even FT8 on 18.100 was suppressed! Our objective achieved, it would have been nice to have done the last two summits the other way round, but still, another complete for me and another goat so I cannot complain. We packed everything away for the final time on the island and set off to the café for a celebratory Pastel da Nata and drinks.
Make sure you use the correct language in a translation!
A view of the busy summit of Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004) with its trig-point, café and radome
The café was busy but we found a table and some time for a quick celebratory snack
Carolyn and Helen victorious on the trig-point at Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004)
The start of the partially closed PR1 route to Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) with the summit behind in the cloud
Madeira’s landscapes are not conveyed by photographs, it is difficult to comprehend just how high the island is above sea-level with its deep valleys and rugged mountains clothed in lush green vegetation. Everything is on an incline with much of it terraced to allow agriculture; Madeiran banana plants are everywhere once you notice them. Visiting the many places on the coast that have a view-point, you soon realise you are very high above the sea on basalt cliffs; Madeira is not a place for a “beach holiday”.
I would have taken my “proper” walking boots but we had not appreciated the types of terrain we might encounter. I had expected it to be far more “rocky” and not slippy like it was on Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010). Walking poles would also have been useful.
We avoided most of the popular walking areas so didn’t do any of the main levadas (the Madeiran leats/aquducts), maybe one day if we go back. Driving round the island is not that difficult and it didn’t take too long to get used to the steep winding roads. A couple of places were a challenge but nothing felt really bad; some roads in Wales and Cumbria are far worse. Radio propagation was poor, to say the least, often with rapid and deep QSB, 20 metres was the most dependable band with my favourite band of 17 metres providing another option. I did listen on 15/10 metres but felt it wasn’t worth the calls in the time we had.
Our flight back was delayed because of problems with the aircraft (and our flight was delayed further because everyone got stuck at an inefficient passport check before boarding), but strangely for the first time ever in all the travels I have done, I was not stopped by Security to question what I was carrying. Normally they at least want to swab the batteries for explosives and on two occasions this was with guards carrying guns at the ready. Not sure if that was good or bad.
We would like to thank all the chasers for persevering with difficult conditions to work our stations. We were pleased that we activated five summits in total, Helen finally attaining Mountain Goat and myself finally reaching 2000 activator points. I also added another four completes.
Carolyn
Equipment used:
Yaesu FT-817
HF Packer amplifier producing about 30 Watts
Two Li-Fe 4000 mAh batteries
Ground mounted ÂĽ-wave linked vertical antenna, with radials, for 17 and 20 metres supported by a lightweight and compact 6m telescopic fishing pole
Summits activated:
Pico Ruivo do Paul (CT3/MI-006) – 6 points (10th May 2025)
Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010) – 1 point (11th May 2025)
Pico Chao dos Terreiros (CT3/MI-008) – 4 points (13th May 2025)
Pico Riuvo de Santana (CT3/MI-001) – 10 points (15th May 2025)
Pico do Arieiro (CT3/MI-004) – 8 points (18th May 2025)
A map of the five summits on Madeira that we activated during our 10 day stay