Also known as Ribeiro Frio – Portela · PR10 Levada do Furado
11 kmLengthlinear
5 hDurationtypical
ModerateGrademoderate
53 mAscentclimb
mediumExposurevertigo
PR10Trailofficial PR
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.
Highlights
One of the oldest public levadas on Madeira (channel dated 1822)
Dense Laurisilva (UNESCO laurel forest)
Penha d'Águia (Eagle Rock) views
Farmlands of Faial, São Roque do Faial and Porto da Cruz
Portela viewpoint over the north-east
Water on the route
Levada do Furado channel (slow-flowing, with trout)
Ribeiro Frio valley and stream
water-division station where the Levada da Serra do Faial ends
seasonal waterfalls and springs
Lamaceiros forest house water point
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Tunnels: No major tunnels on the classic route; a few short rock cuttings. Sources do not report numbered tunnels as on the northern levadas.. Bring a head-torch — some levada tunnels are long, low and pitch black.
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