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PR24 · East — Porto da Cruz

Levada do Castelejo

Also known as PR24 Levada do Castelejo · Referta–Castelejo

8.8 km Length out-and-back
3 h Duration typical
Moderate Grade moderate
275 m Ascent climb
high Exposure vertigo
PR24 Trail official PR

The PR24 is an uncrowded levada walk on the rugged east coast above Porto da Cruz, following the Castelejo channel from the hamlet of Referta out to a small waterfall and footbridge where the stream feeds the levada. The early sections pass terraced farmland and laurel forest, but the trail's character is defined by a long stretch of narrow ledge suspended on the open hillside with high, largely unprotected exposure — comfortable walking underfoot but unsuitable for anyone uneasy with heights. It is a there-and-back route, returning the same way after the waterfall.

Highlights

  • Quiet, uncrowded east-coast levada
  • Narrow shelf with high, unprotected drops and big sea views
  • Agricultural terraces and laurel forest
  • Waterfall and bridge at the end
  • Views toward the north coast and Porto da Cruz

Water on the route

  • Levada do Castelejo channel (fed from the Ribeiro Frio catchment toward Porto da Cruz)
  • Castelejo waterfall at the turnaround
  • small lakes/pools formed by the stream
  • footbridge over the watercourse
Tunnels: No tunnels reported; the route ends at a footbridge crossing the stream that feeds the levada.. Bring a head-torch — some levada tunnels are long, low and pitch black.

Walks like this

PR10 Central-East — Ribeiro Frio to Portela

Levada do Furado

The PR10 is the classic Central-East levada walk and follows one of the oldest public levadas on the island (the channel itself dated to 1822), running downhill through deep Laurisilva from the trout-farm hamlet of Ribeiro Frio to the pass at Portela. It is a long but largely gentle contour walk, with an initial undulating forest stretch giving way to open balconies above the Faial and Porto da Cruz valleys, framed by the great monolith of Penha d'Águia. The trail is mostly easy underfoot but earns its 'moderate' rating from its length and a handful of narrow, partially exposed ledge sections; an alternative high variant climbs toward Pico do Suna. As of early 2026 a section is affected by a landslide and pavement damage — check current status before setting out.

  • Has tunnels
  • Waterfall on the route
11 kmLength5 hTimemoderateGrade
View walk
Central-East — Choupana / Camacha / Santo da Serra

Levada da Serra do Faial

The Levada da Serra do Faial is a long, near-level water channel that contours the eastern highlands at roughly 700–800 m, linking the heights above Funchal (Choupana) eastward through Camacha and Santo da Serra and ultimately feeding toward the Ribeiro Frio system where the Levada do Furado begins. It is most often walked as the gentle Choupana–Camacha leg — sometimes marketed as the 'Levada Vale Paraíso' — a wide, flat, shaded path through mixed oak, pine, eucalyptus and laurel woodland with intermittent panoramas over the capital and its valleys. Its flatness and width make it one of the most accessible levada walks on Madeira, with no significant exposure.

  • Has tunnels
  • Family-friendly
6.2 kmLength2.25 hTimeeasyGrade
View walk
PR8 East — São Lourenço peninsula (Caniçal / Machico)

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

The PR8 is Madeira's most famous coastal walk and a deliberate counterpoint to the island's green levadas: it is a vereda (footpath), NOT a water channel, crossing the bare, wind-scoured volcanic peninsula that forms Madeira's eastern tip. The trail undulates over red, ochre and grey cliffs with the Atlantic on both flanks, threading a Partial Nature Reserve of rare endemic plants and seabird colonies before reaching the green oasis of Casa do Sardinha, where a path drops to a swimming cove. There is no shade, the wind is often fierce, and several sections run close to unprotected drops. It is moderate by effort but should not be underestimated in heat or strong wind.

  • Has tunnels
6 kmLength2.5 hTimemoderateGrade
View walk