August

Deep laurel shade and no groups at all on the old levada

Cool, shaded Laurisilva walking with the mud at its minimum

Dry and steady; little climbing for the distance makes the heat manageable

Laurel shade through Funduras makes this bearable in peak heat

Short and dry; best walked downhill to the coastal village in this heat

Cool Laurisilva shade over 13 km, with the tunnels at their driest

Driest footing on the exposed ledges; start early to beat the traverse crowds

Shaded forest path to the viewpoint, busy but always walkable

Tunnel shade and forest cover make this a good hot-month option

Dry rock the length of the traverse; start early for the 755 m climb

Dry, shaded descent to Ribeira Grande, almost no other walkers

Excellent views from the 1,862 m summit, very crowded

No shade anywhere on the peninsula; heat and sun exposure are the hazard

Cascade flow drops in the dry months, tunnels still worth it

Steep, unshaded royal path; walk it early or the heat bites

Thinnest flow of the year over the Risco headwall, heavy crowds

No shade anywhere on the moor; the altitude helps but the sun does not

967 m of climbing on shadeless cliff ledges in peak heat