Ribeiro Frio - Portela (11 Km)

Starting point: Parking area at Ribeiro Frio, Santana

Finishing point: Portela

Advices on equipment: raincoat, warm sweater, walking boots/comfortable shoes, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

This trail begins at Ribeiro Frio in Santana and follows the path aside the levada of Serra do Faial at 860 metres of altitude until Lamaceiros, the place where the waters are divided. From there it descends to Portela belvedere in Machico.

Levada do Furado is one of the oldest levadas belonging to the regional government, acquired in 1822 for the purpose of irrigating the farmlands of Porto da Cruz. Due to its connection with Levadas do Juncal and Levada da Serra do Faial, it is said this levada carries three waters: the water gathered in the valley of Ribeiro Frio which irrigates the terrains of Porto da Cruz; and those coming from the mountains of Santana and stored in Santo da Serra reservoir for later distribution.

Along this levada you the chance to admire different tones of green presented by this well-preserved area of the island’s native forest - the Laurel Forest.

The landscape is dominated by Ribeiro Frio valley with the amazing farm terraces of Faial, São Roque do Faial and Porto da Cruz. The spectacular rock formation of Penha de Águia protects Faial bay on its East side and Ponta dos Clérigos on the West.

It is at Lamaceiros where waters are separated and where Levada do Furado ends. Here take the left path to start descending to Portela. Passing Lamaceiros Forestry Station, the trail follows a land path until it meets Portela Levada which goes around the left side of Lombo das Faias and ending where it meets the Regional road ER102.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board

This tour can be made all year around though it is not advisable to do it on raining and/or windy days, as it can get moody and slippery.

Achada do Teixeira - Pico Ruivo - Achada do Teixeira (6 Km)

Starting & Finishing point: Parking area at Achada do Teixeira, Santana

Advices on equipment: raincoat, warm sweater, walking boots/comfortable shoes, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

Just on the centre of Santana you will find the road that lead you to Achada do Teixeira, a small plateau with 1590 meters of altitude, where road ends.

From the parking place to Pico Ruivo is about 3 km. The path ground is cemented and there is also information signs that will help you to get to the highest peak of Madeira. Along this walk you will find several shelters where you can rest or take refuge from rain or fog.

If weather is clear, even before you get to the top of the peak, after the mountain shelter that exist there, you will be able to admire beautiful sceneries of valleys, water streams and mountains.

The way up to the house on Pico Ruivo, with a bar open to visitants, takes about 1 hour and here trekkers may refresh themselves before going up to the top of the peak which will take you 10 to 15 more minutes. Before you reach the 1862 meters of altitude you have to cross a small wooden area with centenary heathers that survived through time.
Arriving to the top the show is amazing! 360º of pure nature and amazing landscape where one may admire from the green mountains of Santana to the silhouette of Porto Santo Island, passing through the large plateau of Paul da Serra and the arid tip of Ponta de São Lourenço. It is simply and unforgettable landscape, if weather conditions allow it!

The way back to Achada do Teixeira is through the same path though as going down is easier than going up, you will take around 40 minutes only.

This tour can be made all year around though it is not advisable to do it on raining and/or windy days, as it can get dangerous.

Rabaçal - Risco - 25 Fountains - Rabaçal (8 Km)

Starting point: View point of Rabaçal, on Paul da Serra road

Finishing point: Forestry guard's house of Rabaçal

Advices on equipment: raincoat, sweater, boots/ comfortable shoes for the walk, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

On the west part of Paul da Serra, near a fire vigilance tower, there is a post sign which indicates the access to Rabaçal forestry guard’s house. This narrow road is closed to cars as there is no parking places available for so many visitants down there. The way down is approximately 2 km and it can be done on foot or on a paid ride by van that is always going up and down.

When already near the forestry guard's house, before walking on the levada to 25 fountains (25 fontes), go straight ahead to Risco which will take you about 10 to 15 minutes to get to a fantastic waterfall surrounded by majestic green mountains. After being inspired by this scenery you can go back through the same easy way, parallel to the old Rabaçal levada, until you see the post that signs “25 fontes”. Go down the indicated way until you find another levada and then take the opposite direction of the running water.

The path is always on the side of the levada and it is flat terrain, though in some parts it can be narrow with no protection from the cliffs. This way this walk is not advisable for persons who are afraid of heights.

Approximately one hour after walking along the levada you will found a small lagoon on your right, surrounded by vegetation where water falls from different springs. These are the 25 fountains. Here all nature beings live together, from lichens to laurel trees and birds, they all share this wonderful ecosystem peacefully.

Again, the way back to the guard's house is through the same path but do not think it will make your walk boring as the view is always different.

This tour can be made all year around though we advise you to avoid raining and foggy days at Paul da Serra.

Poço da Neve – Meteorology House – Chão da Lagoa – Ribeira das Cales (10 km)

Starting point: Pico do Areeiro Street, near the path that access Poço da Neve (like an igloo made to keep the snow)

Finishing point: Reception House of the Ecological Park of Funchal, in Ribeira das Cales, near the road that links Monte to Poiso

Advices on equipment: raincoat, sweater, boots/ comfortable shoes for the walk, water and some food

This tour is signalized and is inside the Ecological Park of Funchal. The first thing interesting to see is Poço da Neve, situated about 100 meters away from the road. The distance between this grey igloo and the meteorology House is almost 1km. When there are no clouds, one can admire the city and bay of Funchal, between the valley of Santa Luzia river.

Photo by Miguel Fagundes

The path to go is not difficult and the bush vegetation that involves Pico do Melros is another attraction worth to admire. The Tree Heath (Erica arborea) and the Madeira Bilberry (Vaccinium padifolium) are some of the endemic species of Madeira that grow on this site.

In the plain area, beyond the old meteorology house that nowadays is occupied by the forest guards, there is another house that lodges young people that participate in the environmental education projects held by the Ecological Park.

Photo by Catarina Fagundes

After a short descending way one arrives to Chão da Lagoa, a small plateau where the constructed facilities attracts many local people for picnics on weekends. Here one will find the signs that indicate Pedreira and Levada do Barreiro. From here towards Ribeira das Cales, one may choose to go along the road and take some old paths easily seen or cross the open field towards a river stream that will lead you to a levada that will then take you to Ribeira das Cales.

On the lower part of the Ecological Park of Funchal the Eucalyptus almost suffocate other species but to fight against this plague, this species is being cut down and endemic flora species are being planted.

This tour can be made all year around though we advise you to avoid raining and foggy days at Paul da Serra.