
Highlights
Join us on this wonderful Caldeirão Verde walk along a Levada. The breathtaking views, the unspoiled forest, the waterfalls and the refreshing air make this hike a must-do of Madeira.
- Holiday Type Hiking, Walking & Active
- Activity Level Challenging 5/8

All about the Walk Caldeirão Verde
If anyone asks me what the Garden of Eden would be like, well… What you see at the end of this trip could fit for it. Regarding this Levada, on this walk, you will experience everything: a Levada, big trees, bridges, aqueduct, tunnels, cascades and small waterfalls. In the first place, we will start the walk-in Queimadas Forest Park, in Santana – a delightful little town, well-known for its A-framed thatched houses.

Then, we will walk from here following the path along the Levada, under the trees and the mountains, going through the old hand-carved tunnels. When you reach the amazing high waterfall – at the impressive Caldeirão Verde natural lake, you’ll feel you have arrived at paradise! Besides, you can enjoy a reinvigorating swim under the waterfall or relax and savour your picnic and take in the fantastic surroundings.

Why Walk Caldeirão Verde?
Because you’ll see excellent examples of an ancient-looking forest, which could be the scene of the Jurassic Park movies. The hike is majestic with 100s of photo opportunities! Book now!

Other Details on Walk Caldeirão Verde
When: Full-day, Thursday
Trip Specifications: Tour starts at 9h and finishes around 16h. Note that, although guide books mention a 4,5-hours walk, we will need all day as we do the walk at a reasonable pace, including stopping for lunch and for taking photos. The first part of the walk is smooth going, flat, becoming challenging with up and down sections towards the end. There are fences to protect you from the steep drops. Also, we will cross several tunnels, but the path itself is easy to walk, except for people with vertigo. To summarize, this path offers glorious views over the green valleys and small villages and the opportunity to meet birds endemic to Madeira. Afterwards, Madeira boasts the most extensive Laurisilva forest in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

Distance: 13 km (8 miles)
Max. Altitude: 980 m. (3,215 ft.)
Min. Altitude: 890 m. (2,919 ft.)
Departure Point and Time: Before, please click here for location details and map
Venues: Parque Florestal das Queimadas, Madeira Natural Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site and other mentioned key sites
Meals: Picnic is optional upon payment when booking this tour (add-ons). Take advantage of the group discount.

Requirements: Punctuality, be fit to walk in the mountains and have a head for heights.
What do you need to bring?
A coat/ jumper because much of the trail is in the shade and the weather can be unpredictable. • Also, a waterproof jacket because you will get wet from water falling. • Above all, non-slip walking boots and the more waterproof, the better. • Also, swimming suit, if you are keen on having a refreshing shower in the Caldeirão Verde “pool”. • Besides, make sure you have your camera. • If you haven’t purchased a Booking-madeira.com picnic, we remind you to take enough food and water as there is nothing available on the route. • Booking-madeira.com provides torches (free), but if you prefer, you can bring your head torch. • To conclude, take a bag to carry your litter away with you.

Good to Know
• This walk is not suitable for people with vertigo problems; parts of the path are narrow, but most have a barrier running alongside. • There are some steps and tunnels to overcome. • There are bathrooms at the start/end of the trail but nothing to buy.

Security: Considering safety, better to go with a guide and relax, instead of getting lost in the mountains of Madeira. For instance, if you fall or feel unwell, it is reassuring to know that the mountain guide activates the emergency system. Further, he/she sends a warning and the location of the group to the local authorities, enabling a quick rescue. To put it another way, all well worth the money for the hike.

Our Expertise
We pick you up from the place you are staying at and drop you off when finished. In fact, it is an easy and comfortable way to get to the walk. Moreover, it’s easy to book. There are comfort breaks before and after the walk. Our staff are qualified. Our fundamental principles are not only the comfort, but also safety, and flexibility of both our guests and personnel as well.

More importantly, consult our FAQs section, where we have the answers to the most asked questions.

Included in Walk Caldeirão Verde
- Certified Tourist Guide/ Mountain Guide
- Taxes, Fees and Handling Charges
- Hotel pickup & drop-off included in the city of Funchal and for private tours only.
We can still pick you up upon an extra charge for hotels out of the city (€ per vehicle) or, if you have your car, we can set the time and meeting point in Funchal.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance Fees When Mentioned
- Insurance (Required by Portuguese law)
- First aid kit (basics recommended by ATR)
- Torches, but if you prefer, you can bring your flashlight or head torch.

Excluded in Walk Caldeirão Verde
- Please note that there may be an extra charge per reservation for pickups and drop-offs if your accommodation is outside of Funchal (check for prices here)
- n addition, picnic lunch is optional upon payment when booking this tour (add-ons)
- Also, drinks and food during the comfort stops

ITINERARY of Walk Caldeirão Verde
Hotel Pickup (Departure time)
A member of our staff 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 in order to confirm

Comfort stop
To start with, we will drive to Santana village in the northeastern part of the island. Then, we will make a comfort stop here, for anyone who wants to have a coffee and use the bathroom as there are no facilities along the way!
Queimadas Forest Park
Secondly, we will head to Queimadas Forest Park at 980 m (3,215 ft), where we will start our walk.

Path
Then, you’ll follow the flat Levada, with a few sections of steep steps protected by fences. Eventually, we will give a flashlight, as the walk includes several hands carved tunnels to go through, varying from a few metres to 800.
Caldeirão Verde
As a final point, the walk is a unique experience through valleys covered by the evergreen laurel forest (UNESCO world heritage), and if you are brave enough, you can swim in the icy water coming out as a cascade to a pool surrounded by the lush evergreen vegetation – Caldeirão Verde (Green Cauldron).

Return
From there we will have to walk the same way back.
Comfort stop
Also, there will be a comfort stop on the way back to Funchal for anyone who wants to have a drink and use the bathrooms!

Hotel Drop-off (Return time)
Furthermore, we will take you back to the same spot where we picked you at the start of the tour for the walk of Levada do Castelejo.

Please Note
The order of the itinerary, as shown above, may be subject to change and/or affected by local conditions.

Find Walk Caldeirão Verde Madeira map pdf here or go to Visit Madeira Webpage.