The awe-inspiring scenery of this uncompromising, striking landscape can be gained on relatively flat routes that follow Madeiras unique irrigation channels: the famous levadas. This trail is one of the easiest hikes on Madeira. Snow in Belgium; the High Fens are the ultimate Winter Wonderland! Another general interest guide book is the Lonely Planet Pocket Madeira (Travel Guide). If you simply want to admire the views without the effort of walking, there are various tour options. Posted on Last updated: February 12, 2023. Curral das Freiras means Nuns Valley. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Good rule for any hikers bring layers of clothes to be able to adapt to conditions, bring food and water. Bring a torch and suitable footwear as the surface is often slippery and there are a number of tunnels along the way. For the first 20 minutes were weren't convinced we were following the right path. Neither of us fancied that so we took full advantage of the public transport service from Funchal, getting off the #81 bus at Eira do Serrado and catching the return bus from Curral das Freiras. The route should take about three-and-a-half hours to complete, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take photographs, and you will walk between 530 and 710 metres above sea level. the aptly named Ribeiro Bonito (Pretty Stream), which is a small waterfall with pool and surrounded by boulders. Available to download on tablet form also. This is done in the weirdest of ways, rags and cloths are used to block the water and as each row of crops is watered the rags are then moved down the water channel. It is important to stay hydrated. Once you arrive at the Ponta de So Loureno you will experience an interesting phenomenon - the gift of omnipresence - as it is one of the few places where you can be in both the north and the south of the island. If youre hankering for multi-day treks across precipitous ridges to wild camps on airy mountain summits, youve come to the right place. View the full blog post here: LEVADA DA RIBEIRA DA JANELA HIKE. As a ride back on the cable car would have cost the same, it seemed like a good option. This is part of a large privately owned estate which also has a golf course and 5 star hotel. View the full blog post here: BICA DA CANA PINACULO HIKE. Explore more of Portugal: Browse the best Hikes in other regions. Santo da Serra is undoubtedly one of those mythical places of Madeira Island, visited regularly by many tourists and residents. #1 - Praia da Formosa - Passeio Pblico Martimo, #2 - Doca das Cavacas - Piscinas Naturais - Jardim Panormico, #3 - Museu CR7 - Forte de So Tiago - Parque de Santa Catarina, #4 - Ajuda city Gardens and Chapel of Ajuda, #6 - Museu de Arte Sacra - Jardim Municipal - Parque de Santa Catarina, #7 - Jardim Panormico - Jardim do Lido - Cais do Funchal, #8 - Jardim Panormico - Passeio Martimo, #9 - Quinta Magnolia - Levada dos Piornais - Caminho do Amparo. After the pools the path cuts up through the trees, reaching the Chao das Feiteiras plateau. . It would have been another hour to walk to the centre, but we opted for a nap and an early dinner instead. By easy, I mean doable for someone whos not especially fit and doesnt relish uphill climbs. I wanted more and managed to persuade Mike to walk from Eira do Serrado down to Curral das Freiras . It is in Santana county and easily reached by car. Its a very immersive trail and you get a bit of everything on this long journey. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I like very much your page. This trail is one of the easiest Levada walks on Madeira. Want more details and photos? Want more details and photos? It is rated as very difficult and only for experienced hikers. Note: This is not a walk for everyone. Explore the most popular walking trails near Funchal with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. What would be a good levada walk, around 3-4 hours, and circular so we can return to the car at the end? This hike isnt too dangerous but also not entirely easy. The Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike is a peaceful walking trail along the levadas where you will find an incredible waterfall you can actually walk behind! Madeira Walks - Following the Levada For landowners, the Levada system in place allows a certain amount of time with the water flow. Unsubscribe at any time. I found their website on Google, the name is Pico Transfers. If you run, you can complete the 8 km trail in 90 minutes. We had timed it just right because just as we set off to retrace our steps, the platform was invaded by a coach load of rather miserable looking Thomas Cook tourists. Maybe there are other sites like wikiloc. The total distance is 8 km, and you will be serenaded by finches all the way. The 3 hour circular walk starts and ends at the Ribeiro Frio ("Cold River") restaurant. Want more details and photos? Its not dangerous by any means but there are a few components that make it a little interesting. As always take care, hike slowly and you will be fine on this one! Levada da Azenha - Caminho Velho do Castelo (PR23) 1 walker, 1 hour, 2.6km, ascents & descents negligible . The trail is easy to navigate but not very smooth with a bumpy, rocky ride making it easy to make a false step. Signs at the bottom of the cable car would have been helpful. "We have more than 25 years experience with Madeira Walks and we are passionate about our opportunity to show you some of the most beautiful and interesting areas of Madeira Island." You are in expert hands with us :) This location is classified as Csb by Kppen and Geiger. Net -215mGPX File: get via Buy Me a CoffeeOther routes touched (walk): PR1 Vereda do Areeiro, PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo, Vereda da Ilha, Vereda da Faja da Nogueira, Other routes touched (cycle): PR03a, PR17. This is a short hike but my number one tip for this trail is to first watch sunrise at the Bica da Cana viewpoint, which is just a couple of minutes from the trailhead. Well thats just bumped the Ribeiro Frio-Portela walk to the top of my list of things to do when I go back. The West Fife Woodlands Way - a 10-mile marked circular route around west Fife starting and ending in the historic village of Culross. Madeira is a hikers paradise, without doubt one for that bucket list of yours. Explore Madeira, and enjoy the contrast between flower-filled landscapes, stark rugged coastlines, cobbled streets and lush foliage. Levada do Caldeirao Verde (PR9) + Caldeirao do Inferno, #6 -Verada dos Balcoes (PR11- easy Madeira walk), 3 less famous hiking trails in Madeira to consider, my article about the best areas to stay in Madeira, More pictures on my article about Pico do Arieiro, Verada das 25 Fontes (PR6) + Levada do Risco (PR6.1), Levada do Caldeirao Verde (PR9) - and Caldeirao do Inferno, 1 mountain hike - PR1 Pico do Ariero or part of PR1, 1 volcanic walk - PR8 Ponta de Sao Lourano, Planning tips to make the most of your time. I have read warnings about going out alone, but we are NOT interested in doing guided. View the full blog post here: SANTO DA SERRA TO LEVADA DA SERRA DO FAIAL HIKE. Aside from a small fish farm and a couple of cafs selling souvenirs as well as refreshments, there isnt much else to see or do in Ribeiro Frio so if youre driving, you can make better use of your time elsewhere once youve done the short Balces walk. At one point, you will have to crouch your way through a very short tunnel (no need for torches) and,depending on the amount of rain there has been, you may have to walk behind a waterfall. Cho da Ribeira is an incredible plateau in the mountains above Seixal on the north coast of Madeira Island. Maybe dutchguy can help you if you send him p/m. Madeira is the perfect escape into nature with warm temperatures year-round (at least compared to the UK) and lots of stunning areas to discover. Finally the app fully convenient to me, perfect navigation, precise location of all levadas. Excelente blog!! A clearly defined, and very popular, walking trail starts from the car park and leads you across the cliffs but be warned, its not one to do on a windy day. This was the site of the Choupana Hills Resort, once a 5 star spa hotel which was completely destroyed in the fire. View the full blog post here: LEVADA DO PAUL HIKE. In the past, it was often referred to as the "End of the World", because of its vastness and harsh nature. The highlight of the hike: Walking above the clouds and the narrow path with the cliff edge right next to us. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Part of this trail is with a levada and part is a dirt path but the entire route is quite flat and easy. The island is criss-crossed by around 200 historic irrigation channels called levadas and many of them are accompanied by wonderful, flat trails. Is there a easy way to do a moderate hike and get your car without walking back the 11km behind? The Cedros Levada Walk 5.8 Km takes 3 hours to be followed, beginning in Fanal, the Paul da Serra plateau and through the laurel forest. Levadas are small irrigation channels made of stone that channel water from one area to another. The path is always following the levada so the route is clear but often the trail is rocky or muddy but nothing to worry about. Or you can choose the short walk to another viewpoint to the right of the boservatory - in 10min you reach Miradouro do Juncal with views of the ridge and towards the sea - on a clear day, you can see the tail of Madeira, Ponta do Sao Lourano. This is quite an old levada so it is overgrown but it is still definitely there! It's one of the weirdest locations for a stadium, accessible only by steep, winding local roads. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the top levada walks on Madeira. Will check it out. 2. Log in, Other blog posts you might be interested in, Dolphin & Whale watching tour from Funchal, The Perfect 7 Day Madeira Road Trip Itinerary, The 6 Best Hikes In Corsica, Incredible Hiking Trails You Cant Miss, 19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira You Have To See, 19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira You Have To See , You can walk down about 30 minutes to the actual start of the hike, You can take a shuttle bus (however it only starts running from 10am). These emails include new blog posts and relevant products, services and special offers. Avoiding this, the routes continues and enters Pico de Gato Tunnel, the first of three on the trip. Such is the importance of this beautiful habitat, it has been afforded UNESCO World Heritage status. Whilst in the very east of the island, the gorgeous Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula stretches out to the cerulean sea. The path is uneven and there are very slippery tunnels on the way. Another famous levada walk in Madeira leading you to the beautiful Risco waterfall and 25 Fontes waterfall. or For a shorter and easier alternative, consider the Levada do Alecrim walk departing from the same area. If you can't see the email in your main inbox, check your 'spam' folder or 'promotions folder if you use Gmail, just in case your email filters have been working overtime. Apparently someone had died attempting and several others had to be rescued. Amelia, the guide, said she just did what she was paid to do and that any overbookingwas down to the tour company. We chose to do the trek as a guided walk with Madeira Explorers. Km trail in 90 minutes contrast between flower-filled landscapes, stark rugged coastlines, cobbled streets and lush.... Can help you if you simply want to admire the views without the of. Winding local roads do when i go back certain amount of time the. The highlight of the cable car would have been helpful about going alone... 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