PR 10 | Levada do Furado

This hiking trail follows one of the island's oldest public levadas, covering a total distance of 11 kilometers with an estimated 5 hours of walking. The starting point is Ribeira Grande, a municipality in Santana. The PR 10 Levada do Furado offers the opportunity to admire the various shades of green that make up the natural landscape of the Laurissilva forest. This levada, which begins at Ribeiro Frio, was one of the first acquired by the state for irrigating the agricultural lands of Porto da Cruz. The hike ends with the descent to the village of Portela.

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Along the 860-meter high coastline, we follow along the Levada da Serra do Faial to the watershed house, and then descend to the Lamaceiros area. The route ends at the Portela viewpoint, located in the municipality of Machico.

Throughout this levada, you can admire the multiple shades of green offered by the vast expanse of the island's well-preserved natural forest. You'll discover small waterfalls, as well as a stunning natural waterfall with a small pool.

Once at Lombo da Raiz, the trail continues along the levada da Portela, allowing you to descend to the charming village of Portela, marking the end of this trek. Along the way, you'll encounter numerous valleys, and one of the highlights will be the view of Penha de Agua. Additionally, as soon as you arrive in Portela, you can enjoy a magnificent viewpoint near the church. Before reaching this point, you'll pass by the Lamaceiros forest house, a truly remarkable spot!

Organizing the round trip from Portela: This route crosses the island of Madeira from west to east, with no direct roads connecting the two villages. Therefore, it's necessary to plan your logistics accordingly to successfully complete this crossing.

Option 1: Walk back Although walking back involves retracing your steps from the outward journey (approximately 20 kilometers round trip), it is the simplest solution if you've parked your vehicle at the Ribeiro Frio parking lot. If you choose this option, take the opportunity to hike PR11 - Vereda dos Balcões, a very short route of about 3 kilometers round trip, offering exceptional views of the northern part of the island, particularly Faial and Penha de Agua.

Option 2: Take a taxi Upon arriving in Portela, you can find taxis parked near the shops and bus stops. These taxis can take you to your next tourist destination (or your place of residence) or to your vehicle if you left it in Ribeiro Frio. The cost of this journey is approximately 20€ and takes about 20 minutes. Be sure to inquire in advance to book a taxi.

Option 3: Use public transportation (bus) If you used public transportation to reach Ribeiro Frio, you can take bus lines 53 or 77 to return to Funchal. This journey takes about 45 minutes and costs a few euros. Line 53 also offers the opportunity to continue your adventure in the northern part of the island, heading towards Porto da Cruz and Faial.