Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk (PR 9), Santana (Madeira)

Hike, Historic Building and Waterfalls in Santana (Madeira)

Caldeirao Verde Levada Walk
Caldeirao Verde Levada Walk
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Froth82

Levada do Caldeirão Verde is one of Madeira's signature walks: a mostly level trail carved into the mountainside, following an irrigation channel through dense, emerald-green forest to a powerful waterfall pouring into a steep-sided basin. The route begins at Parque Florestal das Queimadas above Santana, where the air feels cooler and the landscape quickly turns into a tunnel of moss, ferns, and laurel trees.

What makes this hike so loved is the payoff-to-effort ratio. You get that “deep island interior” feeling-misty ravines, long rock tunnels, and sudden open views-without a relentless uphill grind, which is why it's one of the things to do in Madeira for travelers who want nature to be the headline. It also pairs nicely with a walking tour of Funchal for a well-balanced trip: wild, green mornings in the mountains and an easy, culture-filled afternoon in the city.

History and Significance of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Levada trails are more than pretty paths-they are part of Madeira’s working landscape. Levadas were built to carry water from the wetter north to the drier south, creating an island-wide network that shaped farming, settlement patterns, and daily life. Walking one is like following a piece of living infrastructure, where the sound of running water is constant and the route naturally contours the terrain.

Caldeirão Verde is also tied to Madeira’s most iconic ecosystem: the Laurissilva forest. This ancient laurel woodland is the reason the hike feels so primeval, with dripping walls, shaded corridors, and vegetation that looks closer to a botanical time capsule than a typical European forest. In practical terms, it also means the trail can feel damp and cool even when the coast is sunny-part of the atmosphere, but also something to plan for.

Things to See and Do in the Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Start by taking a few minutes at Queimadas itself. The forest park sits in a quieter corner of Madeira, and the setting helps you mentally “switch gears” into levada mode-steady pace, careful footing, and enjoying the small details. Early on, you'll notice how the path hugs the mountain, alternating between leafy stretches and exposed ledges where the views open briefly across the valley.

The tunnel sections are a big part of the experience here. They’re not technical, but they are long enough that you’ll want a torch or headlamp, and they can be wet underfoot. The best approach is to treat them like part of the trail’s character: slow down, keep your footing, and enjoy the sense of moving through the mountain rather than around it.

At the end, the waterfall at Caldeirão Verde delivers the classic Madeira moment-cool spray, dark rock walls, and a feeling that you've walked into a hidden amphitheatre. If conditions allow and the onward section is open, some hikers continue toward Caldeirão do Inferno, but even as an out-and-back to Caldeirão Verde, the hike feels complete and satisfying.

How to Get to the Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Most visitors base themselves on the south coast and travel up into the mountains for the hike, but the trailhead is firmly in the north, above Santana. The nearest airport is Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, and from there you can reach Santana and Queimadas by road in roughly an hour depending on traffic and weather. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Santana (Madeira) on Booking.com.

To reach the trailhead of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike, located in the north/central part of Madeira, start your journey in Funchal, the capital of the island. Drive north and navigate around the center of the island, as there is no direct route from Funchal to the hike. Please be aware that the travel time may be slightly longer compared to destinations on the other side of the valley. Utilize the provided pin location for the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike trailhead to guide you. Expect the journey to take approximately 45 minutes from Funchal to the trailhead. Parking is available at the trailhead, and the fee is less than 1 Euro per hour, with a maximum charge of 3 Euros for your entire stay. Ensure you have some change for the parking fee. If you are looking to rent a car in Portugal I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Overview of Levada do Caldeirão Verde

  • Distance: 8.7 km (17.4 km round trip)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Duration: 6:30 hours
  • Start/End: Queimadas Forest Park / Caldeirão do Inferno
  • Max. Altitude / Min. Altitude: 1020 m / 872 m

Practical Tips on Visiting the Levada do Caldeirão Verde

  • Entrance fee: €4.50 per person
  • Opening hours: 24 hours
  • Official website: https://simplifica.madeira.gov.pt/
  • Best time to visit: Aim for an early start to enjoy quieter paths and better visibility before afternoon mist rolls in; weekday mornings tend to feel calmer than weekends.
  • How long to spend: Plan a half-day to full morning for the out-and-back, plus extra time if you like frequent photo stops or want a relaxed break at the waterfall.
  • Accessibility: Expect uneven surfaces, narrow ledges, and tunnels; it’s not suitable for wheelchairs and can be challenging for anyone uncomfortable with heights or low-light passages.
  • Facilities: Bring water and snacks because services are limited at the trailhead; toilets and basic amenities are more reliable in Santana than up at Queimadas.

Alternative Start Point: Um caminho para todos

Pico das Pedras and adds a short length of 2.1km to the start of the walk. This easy and accessible path, Um caminho para todos, meaning a walk for all, is suitable for individuals of all ages, making it an excellent choice for family outings with children. Its brevity is complemented by a wide and well-protected trail, ensuring a safe and direct connection with the wonders of nature. Pico das Pedras is on the road from Santana to Achada do Teixeira, which is the start of the PR1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo walk.

The Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk

The trail spans a distance of 12 kilometres, offering a round trip adventure with a breath-taking waterfall as its centrepiece. The journey commences with a picturesque passage through scenic levada trails, enveloped entirely by the lush jungle. The dense greenery creates an immersive experience, limiting visibility to just a few meters of vibrant green surroundings. It's undeniably one of the most beautiful levada walks on Madeira!

The trail starts in the Queimadas forest park in the municipality of Santana by the Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas, which is a house/museum, with a cafe and toilets. which maintains the original features of the typical Casas de Santana, triangular in shape and with the traditional thatched roof.

The primary waterfall awaits at the halfway point, but the trail treats you to an earlier waterfall a few kilometres in. Positioned alongside the trail, it resembles the older path, hinting at the norm of encountering water on a Madeira trail.

A distinctive feature of the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike is the series of four tunnels that punctuate the trail. Varying in length and height, these tunnels necessitate the use of a phone light or headlamp. Caution is advised regarding head clearance, as some sections have low roofs. While tunnel experiences are always intriguing, these are relatively short, spanning only a few hundred meters, unlike some longer tunnels found elsewhere in Madeira.

As you approach the waterfall, the trail emerges from the dense forest, winding around the cliffside with a notable drop-off on your right. Despite the safeguarding railings, the views in this section are stunning, offering panoramic vistas of the valley and the peaks above.

The final steps guide you to the amphitheatre of the Caldeirão Verde Waterfall. However, a sign indicates that entering the arena and approaching the waterfall is prohibited due to a rockfall/landslide incident in 2019, resulting in injuries. Despite the closure, a well-worn path around the sign suggests that visitors still venture close to the waterfall at their own risk.

The waterfall itself is among the finest in Madeira, standing at an impressive height of around 100 meters, cascading into a circular lagoon below. While the freezing water may deter some, it provides a majestic backdrop for those willing to take a dip. Framing shots amidst the vibrant green ferns enhances the experience of this natural arena.

Continue on to Caldeirão do Inferno Waterfall?

Once you've taken in the awe-inspiring beauty of the waterfall, there's an enticing option to extend your journey by an additional 3 kilometers, embarking on the Caldeirão do Inferno Levada walk. This extension seamlessly continues from the Caldeirão Verde Levada walk to reach an incredible canyon and then one final, massive waterfall.

It's important to note that the signpost may underestimate the actual distance, so be prepared for the total hike to reach approximately the 21-kilometer mark if you choose to proceed to Caldeirão do Inferno. This extension promises further exploration and additional scenic wonders for those eager to delve deeper into the captivating landscapes of Madeira.

Return Journey

The return journey retraces the initial path through the tunnels back to the parking lot, where a second round of coffee and cake awaits, free from judgment.

Where to Stay Close to the Levada do Caldeirão Verde

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in Funchal for walkability and dining variety; for a hiking-first trip with early starts, staying around Santana makes the morning logistics far easier.

If you want to be close to the trailhead without giving up comfort, Santana is the most practical base. Quinta do Furão is a strong choice for its dramatic north-coast setting and easy access to the island’s classic levadas, while Hotel O Colmo sits right in town, making it convenient for simple dinners and an efficient early departure.

If you prefer quieter, garden-style accommodation that still keeps you in the right part of the island for this hike, consider the north coast around Arco de São Jorge. Pestana Quinta do Arco Nature & Rose Garden Hotel works particularly well if you want a restful base with a more rural feel, while still being within reasonable reach of Queimadas.

Is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde Worth Visiting?

Yes-this is one of those Madeira hikes that consistently earns its reputation. You get a cinematic mix of laurel forest, cliff-hugging trail, and a genuinely impressive waterfall, and the levada's gentle gradient makes it achievable for many travelers who don't want a steep mountain slog. If you're choosing just one classic levada walk for your trip, Caldeirão Verde is a very safe bet.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This hike can work well for families with confident walkers, especially if you treat it as an “adventure walk” rather than a mileage challenge. The levada is mostly steady, but the narrow sections and drop-offs mean close supervision is essential, and the tunnels are much more enjoyable if everyone has a light.

A good family strategy is to set a flexible turnaround point based on energy levels, rather than pushing for the full endpoint at all costs. If you do go all the way, plan a proper snack break near the waterfall and keep an eye on damp clothing-kids tend to cool down quickly in shady, wet microclimates.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, Caldeirão Verde is ideal if you like shared experiences that feel immersive but not extreme. The forest atmosphere is intimate-quiet stretches, filtered light through the canopy, and that satisfying moment when the waterfall reveals itself after the last tunnel.

To make it feel more romantic and less “day-trip logistics,” go early, keep the pace slow, and build in a coffee stop back in Santana afterward. The north coast has a calmer rhythm than Funchal, and pairing the hike with a scenic lunch makes it feel like a full, rounded day rather than just a workout.

Budget Travelers

This is one of the better-value nature days on the island because the main costs are transport and basic supplies you can control. Pack your own water and snacks, and focus on efficient bus-plus-taxi planning if you're not renting a car-sometimes splitting a taxi with other hikers from Santana up to Queimadas can be more economical than it looks.

Budget travelers also benefit from starting early and keeping plans simple: hike, eat locally in Santana, and return without adding paid extras. If you're watching costs closely, prioritize footwear and a headlamp over anything else; they're the items that most directly improve comfort and reduce hassle.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (3,524)

Levada do Caldeirão Verde PR9 in Santana offers a lush, varied hike through tropical forest with tunnels, narrow levada paths and sweeping valley views that culminate in a large waterfall; expect wet, often slippery conditions so bring sturdy shoes, a raincoat and a flashlight for the long dark tunnels, plus water and snacks. The route is commonly done in two parts (about 6.5 km to the main waterfall with an additional section beyond), can be crowded and narrow in places with one-sided foot traffic, and the access road and parking are tight — parking and some facilities require payment (cash and/or card options noted by visitors) and there is at least one WC at the trailhead.

Iryna Avramenko
a month ago
"Very unusual and beautiful trail. From the first minutes you feel like in Jurassic Park. After reading many reviews that this trail is most of timewet due to the waterfalls and humidity, we’ve decided to do it today after the rain.. and it gave extra difficulty to it. Proper shoes, raincoat and flashlight are essential. Also get some snacks and enough water. The whole trail is divided in 2 parts. The first one is 6,5 km one way and ends with the beautiful waterfall. Then there’re other 2 km, which were closed today due to the weather conditions. We did both ways in approx. 4 hours, but it was tough as after the rain it was very slippery. Views had special beauty on this rainy day. Definitely would come back in summer to dive into waterfalls and enjoy bright scenery...."
Adam De Biasi
3 months ago
"Looking at it purely from a hiking lens, the hike was quite lovely and easily one of the best I experienced on the island. It has rugged trail-liketerrain, you got to hike in what felt like a lush and beautiful tropical forest, you got to hike in tu els, every now and then the trees parted and you were treated to a stu ing view of the valley. At the end you reached a stu ingly large and beautiful waterfall in an enclosed canyon. The trail really gave you a lovely variey of elements to help you feel like you were getting a full taste of what the island had to offer. Highly recommend a flashlight of sorts as two of the tu els you hike through are quite long and dark (not to mention quite wet). I would expect to get your shoes wet and muddy. Some downfalls of the hike. It is quite a popular spot and the trail does get narrow in a lot of places along the Levada, this means you'll expect to experience some delays and tight passing conditions as you encounter hikers coming from the opposite direction. CASH ONLY; the parking, the cafe and the washrooms are all cash only. This feels u ecessary and purposely inconvenient for many people visiting the area, especially when you see other car lot options at other hiking locations have card options. The parking for 5hrs was roughly 9€ and the cafe, for one beer and a slice of cake, was also 9€ both of which felt like a money grab. Finally the road leading up to the trailhead is quite tight and narrow for the last 2km so expect some tight car passing situations, take your time on this portion and you'll be fine...."
Dominik Pham
a month ago
"This Levada is extraordinary. One of my favourite hike on Madeira! It takes up to 2h one way to the waterfall (normal speed, if you will run or walkfast can be faster). During hike you will go through tu els (need a flash light), forest, will see stu ing views and of course waterfall💯 Only minus is that you must pay for parking and hike as well... CARD PAYMENT ONLY FOR HIKE, REST IS IN CASH!!! They should do better system for paying the hikes in Madeira, for every entry PR hikes you must pay separately 3€/person......"

FAQs for Visiting Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Getting There

The trail starts at Parque Florestal das Queimadas above Santana on Madeira’s north side. The walk follows the levada into the interior to reach the Caldeirão Verde waterfall basin.
Most people don’t walk to Queimadas from town because the climb is long and steep. The simplest approach is to reach Queimadas by car, taxi, or transfer, then start the levada from the marked entrance.
You’ll travel by road toward Santana and then continue up to Queimadas. If you’re using public transport, plan for a bus to Santana and a taxi or transfer for the final ascent.
Parking is typically available near Queimadas, but it can fill on popular days. Driving is usually worth it because it gives you control over start time and avoids complex return connections from the mountains.

Tickets & Entry

The route is an outdoor hike, but access can require a reservation/permit depending on the current rules for classified trails. Treat it like a managed nature site and plan to register in advance.
It’s generally tied to access management and maintenance rather than a guided experience. You should expect to show confirmation if asked, especially on busy days.
It’s wise to book ahead because capacity controls can apply, particularly in peak season. Last-minute plans can be disrupted if the day’s availability is already allocated.
The trail is generally available year-round, but conditions and access can change quickly due to weather, rockfalls, or maintenance. Always check the official status updates close to your hiking day.
Many people underestimate how strict safety closures can be-if a section is closed, it’s not a suggestion. Another common miss is arriving without a torch for the tunnels, which makes the walk slower and more stressful.

Visiting Experience

If you’re pressed, choose a firm turnaround point based on time rather than pushing for the end. You’ll still get the levada atmosphere and forest immersion even on a shorter out-and-back.
Yes, if you want a single nature highlight that feels quintessentially Madeira. If weather is uncertain, consider pairing it with a flexible backup plan on the coast.
Santana’s traditional house area and viewpoints on the north coast pair well with the hike for a full day. You can also add a short stop at Ribeiro Frio if you’re continuing through the interior.
Light mist can be atmospheric, but heavy rain and wind can make tunnels and ledges unpleasant or unsafe. In poor conditions, it’s often better to switch to a lower-altitude walk or a coastal plan.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Many hiking-focused tours and transfers include it because it’s one of the island’s headline levadas. If you prefer not to self-drive, guided logistics can be a stress-saver.
Independent works well if you’re confident with navigation and have transport sorted. A guided option is most worthwhile for simplifying permits, timing, and transfers rather than for route-finding.
Rather than forcing a loop, do an out-and-back from Queimadas at a relaxed pace and turn around when the terrain becomes more tunnel-heavy. You’ll still get the forest mood and the levada experience without committing to the full distance.

Photography

Yes, especially for moody forest scenes, leading lines along the levada, and waterfall shots at the end. A small microfiber cloth helps with lens mist near the falls.
Morning often gives the cleanest light and calmer conditions before cloud builds over the interior. If you want fewer people in shots, aim for the earliest practical start.
There are typically no special restrictions outdoors, but always be considerate in narrow sections where others need to pass. In tunnels, keep stops brief so you don’t create bottlenecks.
The most iconic shot is the waterfall framed by the dark rock basin, with a person for scale if you can do it safely. Along the way, the levada curving into the green corridor is a reliable “Madeira classic.”

Accessibility & Facilities

It’s not ideal because of uneven surfaces, narrow ledges, and tunnel sections. If mobility is a concern, consider more accessible “for all” routes that start from Queimadas but are shorter and smoother.
Facilities are limited at the trailhead and can’t be relied on like a staffed attraction. Plan to use services in Santana before heading up, and bring what you need for the hike.
You’ll find occasional flat spots and natural ledges, but seating isn’t formal. It’s best to take short, frequent pauses in wider sections so you’re not stopping where others must squeeze past.
It can suit families with older kids who walk confidently, but it’s not stroller-friendly. Treat it as a proper hike and keep kids close on exposed stretches.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Santana is the easiest place to grab food before or after, with simple local restaurants and cafés. If you’re returning via the interior, Ribeiro Frio can also work for a quick stop depending on your route.
The north coast is great for hearty Madeiran meals after a cool, damp hike-think soups, grilled dishes, and warm desserts. Plan your meal after the walk rather than relying on anything near Queimadas.

Safety & Timing

It’s generally quiet and rural, but evening hiking is not recommended because tunnels and ledges become riskier in low light. Treat this as a daytime hike even if the coast feels lively at night.
Early morning tends to feel calmer, clearer, and more spacious on the path. Later in the day can be mistier and busier, which may reduce the sense of solitude that makes this hike special.

Nearby Attractions to the Levada do Caldeirão Verde

  • Parque Florestal das Queimadas: A beautiful forest park and the natural starting point for several classic hikes, with a distinctly “mountain Madeira” feel.
  • Santana Traditional Houses: The island's famous thatched-roof houses are a quick, photogenic stop that adds cultural context to your north-coast day.
  • Ribeiro Frio: A cool, green interior area known for short walks and viewpoints, ideal if you want a second nature stop without a long hike.
  • Vereda dos Balcões: A short, rewarding viewpoint walk that delivers big valley scenery for minimal effort.
  • São Jorge: A quieter north-coast village area where you can slow down after hiking and enjoy ocean views with fewer crowds.

The Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk (PR 9) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Santana (Madeira)!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 hours

Price:

€4.50 per person

Address: PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Santana, Portugal
Santana (Madeira): 3 km
Official Website
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