An excellent walk onto the roof of Madeira

There is not a more exciting mountain walk on Madeira. The high mountain path, built 50 years ago by the administration of the island, connects the three highest mountains in a spectacular fashion. For this walk, you should make an early start as gathering clouds shroud the summit around midday.

: very demanding mountain walk. The mule trails used are sometimes paved and stepped, and sometimes rocky. Exposed sections are protected. Fitness is essential for steep climbs; a torch for the tunnel is required. You should only undertake this walk when the weather conditions are dry and stable!

: by car or taxi via Poiso to the car park at Pico do Arieiro, 1818m.

: take a car or taxi from the car park at Pico do Arieiro.

: a cafeteria at the Pico do Arieiro. Snacks, hot and cold drinks at the Casa de Abrigo at the foot of the Pico Ruivo; in front of the hut, you will find a tap with potable water.

From Pico do Arieiro onto the Pico Ruivo

Easy walk, sometimes along stony paths; exposed sections are protected. The short but very steep ascent to Morro do Furado is somewhat strenuous. Sometimes there's a fierce wind on the São Lourenço peninsula. No shade! Take your swimwear.

Cafeteria in the Casa do Sardinha, mobile kiosk at the car park (only in the season) and a beach bar in Prainha along the approach route.

 Baía d'Abra, 77m. By car , taxi or bus no. 113 from Funchal to the final stop .


 the road ends at the car park above the Baía d'Abra. With no. 113 bus to Baía d'Abra.

Spectacular rocky coast in the furthest eastern corner of the island

On your way to Madeira, as you fly over this peninsula, your first impressions will certainly not live up to the cliché of the island as an evergreen floating garden. It's true that after rainy winters, the finger-shaped peninsula pointing out into the sea is covered with green grassy fluff, but still in summer the area is utterly arid, with the exception of unpretentious carpet weeds (Aizoaceae).
However, the wild and idyllic rocky coastline makes this tour of the island very popular and frequented - between 1000 and 1500 walkers pass here every day during the high season! If you prefer to enjoy peace and quiet, at least on the initial route, you should quickly finish your breakfast at the hotel and arrive at the large car park at the starting point of the walk no later than 9 am.


Ponta De São Lourenço

Thorough the UNESCO World Heritage reserve into the green basin.

Walking into this "green cauldron" is one of the most spectacular levada routes on the island and therefore the most crowded. The water has created here not only impressive gorges, but also jungle-like evergreen vegetation. The levada is mostly carved into the rock, and it seems incredible that trees and bushes manage to cling to the vertical slopes. At the end of this beautiful walk, an extraordinary waterfall plunges into a small pool, where the most hardy can cool off.

 Easy to moderate
At the beginning, the levada path is wide and pleasant to walk, it gets narrower later on and sometimes you have to walk along the 30 cm, small and narrow wall. In late autumn and winter the trail can be wet and slippery due to running streams. There is a small to moderate risk of dizziness, although very exposed areas are protected by wire fencing. A torch light is required for tunnels.

 no facilities along the way, only small cafeteria in Queimadas

Levada do Caldeirão Verde: Everything You Need to Know

Along the «King's Levada» to a beautiful river.



Ribeiro Bonito - Beautiful River - is the name given to the torrential stream
that feeds the Levada do Rei. This delightful walk along an irrigation canal
leads through a sometimes very dense laurisilva forest and penetrates
deep into the Ribeiro Bonito valley. Depending on the weather, expect a
more or less hefty soaking from a waterfall. This is a very popular levada
walk that is also on the program for walking groups.

 an easy levada walk without ascents and without any difficult route-finding; at some unsecured sections, moderate danger of vertigo. Usually shady. For the short tunnel, you don't need a torch and, at the waterfall (watch out! dangerously slippery!).


 Quinta Levada do Rei at the outset of the walk.

Levada do Rei (King's Levada)

You will not only see the walkers on the “Levada do Norte” - for many residents, the irrigation channel is the only access to their houses and for many children a playground. The best Madeira wines are produced on the slopes of “Estrito de Camara de Lobos”, a climatically prime location. The vineyards are lined up on both sides of the levada like a patchwork rug and are especially beautiful in late autumn when the vine leaves turn copper-red. The impressive coastal cliffs on the “Cabo Girao” are the destination for this walk.

Easy. A beautiful leisurely levada walk but you need to be dizzy-free for some of the precipitous spots.



 Levada do Norte, 540m.
From Funchal with no. 96 bus to Estrei to de Câmara de Lobos as far as the Le vada do Norte bus stop, about 600m after the church. You can also take a taxi or come by car.


 from Cruz da Caldeira to Funchal no. 4, 7, or 154 bus. No. 7 also runs express from Cabo Girão to Funchal (Mon-Sat 13.00 and 18.00) or to Ribeira Brava (16.20). Or take a taxi from the rank at Cabo Girão to return to Estreito de Camara de Lobos (about 15 €).

 snack bars above Gara chico, on the Cabo Girão, and in Cruz da Caldeira.

From Pico do Arieiro onto the Pico Ruivo

Images

Route elevation

Related Posts

Ponta De São Lourenço

Levada do Caldeirão Verde: Everything You Need to Know

From Pico do Arieiro onto the Pico Ruivo

Levada do Rei (King's Levada)

The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Levada do Norte in Madeira