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.