Mud, Mist, and Memory: Hiking Madeira

Since we met in 2019, my boyfriend and I have carved out a journey across countries - bodies and landscapes intertwined. Hiking quickly became more than just a shared passion; it turned into a ritual. Every trail was a slow, deliberate exchange between us and the earth. Feet sinking into soil, breath syncing to terrain, sweat mixing under the sun - nature wasn't just a backdrop. It was part of our intimacy.

Madeira holds a special place for us. The first time we visited was in January 2024. That winter, Madeira surprised us with its warmth - the hottest January in recorded history. Days were soaked in sun, and we spent most of them slick with sweat, the salt of our bodies mixing with the humidity. We stripped off everything unnecessary while hiking in Madeira that time. The heat wasn’t just around us - it got inside us and became a memory we longed to recreate.

So, we returned in March this year, naive and hopeful that Madeira would seduce us once more with its warmth. But this time, the island had a different mood - more brooding, more soaked in rain and mist. It made every hike more raw, more intimate.

I brought my new white TNs with me, excited by a personal, sensual project - to document their transformation. I filmed them during the hikes or at the end of each day, wet and dirty from the trails. Watching them evolve from white to off-white, stained with mud, soaked with rain, softened by sweat and water - was like watching them absorb the journey.

Now, a month later, I’ve made three reels as throwbacks. But more than that, I’ve preserved the sensual layers of this journey - not just in my shoes, but in my body and heart.

The first few days were gentle. We wandered through the south, exploring São Martinho and Câmara de Lobos. Caught a breathtaking sunrise at Pico do Areeiro, huddled close in the morning cold. We had planned to hike PR1 to Pico Ruivo, as we did last year, but it was closed due to wildfire damage, so we veered off onto a quieter trail to Pico do Cedro, one that felt like it belonged only to us. The stillness made space for a different kind of touch.

The second leg of the trip was a contrast of elements. Sun warmed us in Porto Moniz, while rain drenched us at Curral das Freiras and 25 Fontes Falls. At first, we were annoyed. But when we gave in - when we surrendered to the island’s wet embrace - it shifted. I remember the wet squish of my TNs, the cling of soaked socks. Every muddy puddle, every slip, every laugh in the rain pulled us closer.

Then came the mud-caked trails - the mossy magic of Fanal Forest in the north and Ponta do Pargo in the west. The earth was thick with mud, and my TNs became gloriously filthy. On our final day, we aimed for PR9 to Caldeirão Verde, but it was closed due to high winds. Instead, we hiked PR9.1, a short but beautiful detour. There, in a quiet field surrounded by the hum of nature, we paused. We planted a private, playful memory - spreading our seeds into the wild - feral and real. (🔗 Video link from my JustFor.Fans or OnlyFans page)

Looking back at each moment, I feel so grateful for the companion by my side - my boyfriend, my lover, my fellow adventurer. I hope the trails ahead are as rich, as muddy, as intimate, and that we’ll hike them together for many years to come.