Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike: Ultimate Guide to PR9
A very popular thing to do on the island of Madeira is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike (PR9). It’s best to get here early if you’d like some solitude! If not, don’t expect to have the trail to yourself
Just like PR 18, this hike follows a levada through the laurel forest. Think green, jungle-like, and mostly flat. This hike includes beautiful waterfalls and tunnels, so be sure to bring your headlamp. Read on for all the details and what to expect on this fun hike in Madeira.
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Webcams In Madeira
Make it a habit to check the live webcams each morning before finalizing your plans. A quick look can spare you from starting a hike or heading to a viewpoint only to find clouds, rain, or low visibility waiting for you.
That being said, completing this hike in the rain, fog, or mist adds a sort of magical feeling as you walk amongst the greenery. During our hike, it rained most of the way back from the end of the trail, and we loved it.
Things to Know
🥾 All classified hiking trails, including the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike, on Madeira now require reservations and payment through the SIMplficia Portal. Reserve your time and pay your fees right on the portal. Check the status of the trail you want to hike here to make sure it’s open.
- It’s best to get here early to secure a parking spot. With increased visitation, the parking lot is now gated, and you will need to pay for parking.
- After completing your hike, pay at the kiosk inside Casa das Queimadas, the large building.
- The road to this parking area is very narrow, and you’ll likely come across folks who have parked along the road. You may need to back up or pull off to the side if you come face-to-face with another car.
- There is plenty of shade on this trail, but it’s best to still bring some sunscreen and plenty of water!
- There are restroom facilities here at the parking lot. Expect to pay, so bring your euro coins.
- Before or after your hike, get a bite to eat at Cafe Queimadas, right on site. There are picnic tables here to enjoy your food and snacks outside.
If you are planning on spending more time on Madeira, check out our full 9-day itinerary with the best hikes and things to do on the island!
Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike – PR9
Let’s get hiking. First up, some stats. Round-trip, this hike is about 7-8 miles with 300 feet of elevation gain. The elevation gain is very gradual, and we never felt like we were going uphill.
As you hike through the laurel forests, enjoy the scenery as you walk along the irrigation channels beneath moss-draped cliffs and misty mountain walls.
You’ll pass by a beautiful waterfall and through a few fun, but dark, tunnels on your way to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall at the end of the trail. Here, a ribbon of water plunges into a jade-green basin, creating one of Madeira’s most enchanting scenes.
💤 Looking for a place to stay in Funchal or across the island? Check out the prices and options on Expedia, our favorite travel site!
Casa das Queimadas to The First Waterfall
Lace up those boots, top off your water, and get ready to trade your phone screen for a really fun hike! Starting just past Casa das Queimadas, you’ll cross a few small bridges with some nearby gardens and ponds.
🌳 Don’t forget to visit the Fanal Forest while you are on the island!
The trail follows a fairly wide path to start with as you make your way into the forest. At about 0.8 miles into the hike, you’ll descend a set of stairs to the creek and back up.
Along the trail, keep your eyes peeled for some beautiful flowers, including Keyflowers, which are a type of orchid. You may also be able to spot Madeira Cranesbill, which is actually critically endangered. Don’t pick it!
After hiking for about 1.1 miles, you’ll reach a small waterfall where you’ll cross a bridge to the other side.
First Waterfall to the Tunnels
In this next section of the trail, you’ll have some better views of the surrounding area that look out to the ocean and São Jorge, so be sure to stop and take in the views when they come.
Keep hiking along the levada, and eventually, you’ll reach small tunnels at the 2.6-mile mark. You may or may not need your headlamp here, depending on the length.
After this point, the path will get a bit narrower before reaching the longest tunnel on this hike. You will definitely need a headlamp for this one! This one starts after hiking for about 3 miles.
🌸 While in the area, don’t miss the PR18 hike – Levada do Rei!
Before entering, it’s best to try to see if anyone is coming the other way by looking for lights coming at you in the tunnel. It’s possible to pass folks in the tunnel, but things can get a bit narrow at times.
The levada tunnels here are pretty fun! Most people try to use their cell phone lights to traverse the tunnels, but they are not actually bright enough! Be careful in the tunnel so you don’t fall into the levada.
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End of Tunnels to Caldeirão Verde
As you exit the tunnel, you will be rewarded with some excellent mountain views on the next section of trail!
Additionally, you’ll be pretty high up on the cliff with just a rope to one side and the levada on the other, so we hope you aren’t scared of heights. Keep your eyes on the trail and don’t look down. Or do!
At the 4-mile mark, you’ll reach a section of trail that was recently rebuilt due to a landslide. Take in the epic views here as you traverse the edge of the cliffs! Thank goodness there is a cable fence to keep you on the trail! Just don’t look down, right?!
After another 0.3 of a mile, you’ll reach an area where you can rest, along with a sign pointing to Caldeirão Verde, which is just 100 meters away.
Lastly, take some time to enjoy the waterfall as it cascades into the green pool below. This is the final stop on the Levada do Caldeirão Verde hike before retracing your steps about 4 miles back to Casa das Queimadas. What a fun hike!
🌳 Have you heard of the 25 Fontes hike? It’s one of the best on the island, so check it out here!
Guided Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike
Looking for someone else to do the planning, driving, and guide you on this epic hike? Check out this fun tour on GetYourGuide!
Don’t Forget Your Rental Car
If you want to make the most of your time on the island of Madeira, be sure to book a rental car and book it early. For the best rates, check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! You really can’t go wrong with DiscoverCars.
If there is one takeaway about rental cars in Madeira, make sure you get the smallest one that fits your party. Roads are narrow, and parking can be tough!
Where to Stay
Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a bit more.
We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities.
Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:
- A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or across the entire island of Madeira!
- 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar. Check it out now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine. Book right now on Expedia or Booking.com.
Final Thoughts
We really loved this hike! Starting at Casa das Queimadas was like starting the hike in a real-life fairytale. There were some cute ducks and other waterfowl nearby, right before starting the hike here. You can also take a lunch and have a picnic at the tables just outside the building.
We will say, going through the tunnels is super fun, but for those who get claustrophobic, it might be a little tough. We were able to pass others coming the opposite direction with no problems.
This is one of the levada walks in Madeira you really can’t skip, so be sure to add it to your itinerary.
🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Expedia to book your stay!
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