The levada do Caldeirão Verde, also known as the PR9, is by far one of the most spectacular levada’s on Madeira. I would even dare say that if you had to make the choice to only hike one levada on the island that it should be this one!
The trail takes you through a dense laurel forest, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll see a variety of endemic flora and fauna, and the path offers views of towering cliffs and waterfalls, especially the impressive Caldeirão Verde waterfall at the end of the hike is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Madeira.
In this article I will tell you everything you need to know about hiking the levada do Caldeirão Verde and what you can expect on this trail.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hiking Stats
Hiking Distance – 12km
Average Time – Around 4 to 6 hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop.
Inclination – 100m
Route Type – Out & Back
Difficulty – Moderate. The path is generally flat as it follows the levada (water channel), but there are narrow sections with steep drops and a few tunnels, so a headlamp or flashlight is essential.
Parking Lot – Parque Florestal das Queimadas. It’s a paid parking lot. For a full day you will pay €3.
How to reach the PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
To reach the PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde trailhead, located in the Queimadas Forest Park near Santana, you have a couple of transportation options depending on your starting point on the island of Madeira. Here’s how you can get there:
By Car
Driving is the most flexible and convenient way to reach the trailhead:
- From Funchal – Take the VR1 from Funchal towards Machico and continue on the expressway until you reach exit 23 for Faial/Santana. Follow the signs towards Santana and then to Queimadas Forest Park. The drive takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Parking – There is a parking area at Queimadas Forest Park where you can leave your car before starting the hike.
🚗 You can grab your rental car from SunnyCars for the best experience. The biggest tip I can give you is to choose an automatic cause the roads on Madeira can be very steep!
By Bus
Public transportation is available but less frequent and requires some planning:
- From Funchal – Take the SAM bus service that operates routes to Santana. Check the latest schedule as services can be infrequent. Once you arrive in Santana, you can either hike up to Queimadas Forest Park, which is quite steep and takes additional time, or catch a taxi from Santana to the park.
- Bus Route – Look for routes heading to Santana, and then ask locally for any available connections to Queimadas. Be aware that there might not be a direct bus service to the forest park.
Guided Tours
Many visitors opt for guided tours which include transportation:
- Tour Operators: Various operators in Madeira offer guided hikes to Levada do Caldeirão Verde, including transport from Funchal or other major tourist areas. This can be an excellent choice if you prefer not to worry about logistics and enjoy the insights from a knowledgeable guide.
Extra tips for hiking the Levada do Caldeirão Verde
The trail is well-marked, but having a map or GPS can help ensure you don’t take a wrong turn at junctions with other levadas.
Carry a flashlight or headlamp for the tunnels; some are quite long and completely dark. Always be careful when hiking through these tunnels. The ceiling can be pretty low at times and there can be a lot of water on the ground.
There are no facilities once you leave the starting point, so bring enough water and food, and perhaps a picnic to enjoy near the waterfall.
The path can be wet and slippery, especially after rain, so waterproof hiking boots with good grip are recommended. Some of the tunnels are low, requiring you to duck or crouch.
Bring a rain jacket with you! We hiked this trail during a rainy day on Madeira and besides the spray from all the waterfalls there was also a lot of water dripping from the leaves. It’s safe to say that by the time we arrived back at our car even our underwear was wet!
What to expect on the PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
The Levada do Caldeirão Verde is an easy to moderate hike in Madeira with little to no elevation in total. What does make this trail a little bit tricky now and then is that you’re walking next to small water way on one side and a steep cliff on the other side. But not to worry there’s almost always a railing present for safety reasons.
There are 4 tunnels in total, some are short, others are longer. But make sure to bring your headlamp and be careful not to bump your head. After or during a rainy day there can be a lot of puddles in these tunnels as well so wearing waterproof hiking boots isn’t a luxury on this trail!
After about 2 hours and several waterfalls later you’ll stand in front of the main attraction, the impressive Caldeirão Verde waterfall. With a drop of a 100 meters this is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Madeira.
After reaching the main attraction all that’s left to do is hike back to the car park. Or you can elongate your hike and continue on the Caldeirão do Inferno hike. Instead of 12km, you’ll be hiking 20km in total so it’s completely up to you.
I would have loved to take a ton more photos during this hike but it was literally pouring rain. Besides my camera and lenses being in a waterproof backpack, I still lost one of my favorite lenses due to water leakage. But hey, that’s part of the game!
After your hike you can have a coffee at the houses at the Queimadas Forest Park. This is also a very famous photography spot so there might be some posing going on when you arrive back here.
This is also where you need to pay for your parking ticket but it’s important to know that once you validate your ticket you only have 10 minutes to drive away. So if you fancy a drink do it beforehand.
Where to stay on Madeira
I chose Funchal as a base the first time because of its proximity to the airport. I had a wonderful stay at Sé Boutique Hotel and you can read my full hotel review here. There is a parking lot located only 5 minutes walking from the hotel (parking is €7/day if you validate your card at the hotel reception).
Now for our second trip to Madeira I wanted to stay on the other side of the island so we stayed close to Santana at Quinta das Hortênsias.
If you have any questions about Madeira or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on Madeira
Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo Hike – PR1 On Madeira
The 14 Most Epic Hikes in Madeira (Including Map + Tips)
The 8 Most Beautiful Waterfalls In Madeira (Map Included)
Achada do Teixeira To Pico Ruivo Hike – PR1.2 On Madeira
Vereda Do Larano Coastal Trail In Madeira
Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova Waterfall Hike In Madeira
The Spectacular Ponta de São Lourenço Hike – PR8 In Madeira
The Perfect 7 Days Madeira Travel Itinerary
19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira You Have To See
The 14 Best Places To Stay In Madeira
Best Tips For Driving And Renting A Car On Madeira
Where to stay on Madeira – Sé Boutique Hotel
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Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
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