Teleférico Achadas da Cruz, Aerial tramway in Porto Moniz, Portugal.
Teleférico Achadas da Cruz is an aerial cable car that connects two remote coastal settlements on Madeira while descending steeply over the sea. The line covers a significant vertical distance and reaches a flat coastal strip surrounded by tall cliffs.
The system was built to connect inhabitants with their fields and the sea after the long walking routes became impractical. It replaced the centuries-old practice of descending steep mountain paths on foot.
The two communities connected by this line have long depended on farming and fishing for their livelihoods. The cable car allows residents to move between their daily work on the terraces and the sea below.
The cabins are small and fit only a handful of passengers at a time, so expect possible waiting periods. The ride travels over open water, so waterproof footwear and calm sea conditions make the journey more comfortable.
The coastal flat at the base of this line was shaped by ancient landslides thousands of years ago and remains one of the few level areas in this rocky region. This geological feature first allowed settlement here and still makes the place geologically distinctive.
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