Overview
Follow us in one of the most fascinating and oldest levadas owned by the Government, built to irrigate Porto da Cruz’s farmlands — LEVADA DO FURADO. We will start in RIBEIRO FRIO PARK, where we will find a charming garden, a trout hatchery, and bars. After the comfortable stop, we will join the Ribeiro Frio to Portela Levada Walk. We’ll see birds and small waterfalls along the path and go through a few short tunnels with natural windows. You’ll feel you are in a mystical forest, with shards of sunlight breaking through the ancient laurel trees. As the walk proceeds, the scenery changes: the various shades of green through the well-preserved native forest — Laurisilva — breaks to show agricultural fields, the island’s peaks, and the ocean villages. The walk ends at the viewpoint of PORTELA, with fantastic views over the village of Porto da Cruz and the Penha D’Águia rock formation. An excellent walk not to miss! BOOK NOW!
Included & Excluded
- Certified staff
- Applicable taxes
- Entrance fees (where applicable)
- Insurance (as required by Portuguese law)
- First aid kit (basic items as recommended by ATR)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal and Caniço
- Torches (feel free to bring your own torch or head torch, if preferred)
- Drinks and meals (Please bring your picnic and water).
- Our pick-up and drop-off services outside Funchal and Caniço are not included by default. However, if you require this service, mention it in the booking notes. Depending on availability, we will send you a proposal. Alternatively, you can meet us at the designated meeting point at the Funchal Cable Car stop. We will email you the exact time and location, ensuring a smooth and convenient start to your tour.
Additional Notes
The Levada do Furado Walk offers options for every budget, whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or in a group. It guarantees a high-quality experience that showcases the best of Madeira. What sets us apart is our ability to upgrade any tour to a private experience, giving you a more personalised journey with flexible start and stop times. We’ll help you choose the best schedule by considering daylight hours, ensuring a worry-free experience that’s tailored to your preferences.
For something truly extraordinary, we can work with you to design a fully customised journey from scratch, with your preferences at the heart of the planning process. Click here to learn more about our Personalised Madeira Itinerary service. If you proceed with booking the walk, the design fee will be deducted from the total tour cost, making it a seamless and personalised experience from start to finish.
Other Information
Hotel Pick-upFunchal: 09h00 | Caniço: 09h30
A staff member will pick you up at the indicated place and confirm your voucher identification. You can present either a paper or an electronic ticket for this activity. The tour will begin as soon as we finish collecting tour members.
WhenFriday
Year-round, except on December 25 and January 1
Duration8 hours
The tour starts at 9:00 and finishes around 17:00.
Trip SpecificationsDistance & Altitude
Distance: 11 km (7 miles)
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Max. Altitude: 880 m (2,887 ft)
Min. Altitude: 670 m (2,198 ft)
Departure Point and TimeConfirmed by email
RequirementsPunctuality & be fit to walk
What do you need to bring?Don't forget
Non-slip walking boots and the more waterproof, the better; camera, and a coat or a jumper if it gets cooler.
We also suggest taking your sunscreen and a hat.
We provide torches (free), but if you prefer, you can bring your torch or head torch.
Take a bag to carry your litter away with you.
We remind you to bring your picnic and enough water, as nothing is available on the route.
A raincoat or poncho if rain is in the forecast.
Walking poles might be a help.
Children: Parents must bring a hiking child carrier backpack to carry their children under 4.
Good to KnowActivity level
The first part of the walk is smooth going, flat, for most of the day until the descent to Portela almost at the end. There are fences to protect you from the steep drops. We will cross several short tunnels, but the path is easy to walk, except for people with vertigo.
Children:
Not recommended for children under 8.
SecurityDon't take risks
Better to go with a guide and relax, instead of getting lost in the mountains of Madeira. Knowing that the mountain guide activates the emergency system is reassuring if you fall or feel unwell. He/she sends a warning and the group’s location to the local authorities, enabling a quick rescue. All well worth the money for the hike.
Our ExpertiseWhy us?
We pick you up from where you are staying and drop you off when finished. It is an easy and comfortable way to get to the walk. There are comfort breaks before and after the walk. It’s easy to book. Our staff are qualified. We take you to various sites we know you will want to explore. Our fundamental principles are the comfort, safety, and flexibility of our guests and personnel.