PR 15 | Vereda da Ribeira da Janela

The Vereda da Ribeira da Janela represents a 13-kilometer trail one way (round trip + 13 km), offering an experience of approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes of walking. It follows the routes of an old path that once connected Curral Falso (Fanal) to Ribeira da Janela. This route is classified as difficult. There will be a tunnel festival, so be mindful of your head at times; I recommend having a headlamp. The last tunnel is 1300m long; allow 20 minutes to cross it. It's an impressive experience with guaranteed thrills.

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The local population also used this path to reach the villages in the south of the island, including Calheta and Ponta do Sol.

In Ribeira da Janela, you will discover a traditional agricultural area with its agricultural terraces 'poios,' supported by ingenious stone walls. The locality of Ribeira da Janela gets its name from the longest river on the island of Madeira, approximately 15,700 meters long.

The start of the hike along the levada Da Janela takes place along a narrow path bordered by thousands of flowering amaranths, creating a truly splendid landscape. There are no challenges to face here, only the pure pleasure of contemplating these magnificent landscapes. Every hundred meters, I remember repeating how wonderful it was: 'What beauty!' This place is ideal for observing the trocaz pigeon, an endemic bird found only in Madeira. During the migration season, we can also observe at the mouth of Ribeira some passing migratory birds such as the little egret and the mallard.

After 3 or 4 kilometers, the levada da Ribeira da Janela arrives at the first tunnels. In total, there must be 8 or 10; we only made it to after the 7th. A safety barrier ensures there is no risk of falling on the slope, demonstrating the care taken in the construction and maintenance of this hike. The levada is skillfully channeled in a concrete conduit, and at times, the trail simply follows the edge of the watercourse, which makes for an unusual and rather entertaining experience.

It's truly impressive to see the work that has been done to bore through these mountains and create two lanes in the tunnel, one for the canal and the other for the path. After covering several kilometers, we found ourselves immersed in wild and lush nature. The atmosphere seemed straight out of Jurassic Park rather than the island of Madeira, with its breathtaking landscapes and the songs of the surrounding birds. The flora here is completely different from what we encountered at the beginning of the levada Da Ribeira da Janela, much denser and more abundant.

This hike in Madeira is a must, especially if you're a nature lover. The island is breathtakingly beautiful! Don't miss the opportunity. Find a nice spot for your lunch break, for example, after the long tunnel, and prepare for the return journey. Be mindful of where you step at certain times...

Don't forget to bring your picnic. Make sure you have at least 2 liters of water per person. Each person should have a headlamp to avoid accidents in the tunnels. For the tunnel, which can be damp, consider bringing a raincoat or waterproof jacket with a hood. :)