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Northwest — Porto Moniz

Levada da Ribeira da Janela

Also known as Ribeira da Janela tunnel walk · Levada da Central da Ribeira da Janela

22.8 km Length out-and-back
7.25 h Duration typical
Hard Grade hard
100 m Ascent climb
high Exposure vertigo

The far northwest's epic, and a deliberate exception on this list: the Levada da Ribeira da Janela is not a classified PR trail, but it is one of the most ambitious tunnel walks on Madeira. The channel follows the right bank of the Ribeira da Janela — the longest river on the island — deep into a cliff-walled valley, the path hugging the inside wall above the gorge. Its centrepiece is a tunnel of more than 1,200 m, pitch-dark, dripping and partly flooded, with waterfalls spilling inside; in all there are roughly seven to nine tunnels. Crystalline pools punctuate the route, some deep enough to swim. Distances vary sharply with the chosen variant: about 11.5 km one-way along the levada, a long ~22.8 km full out-and-back, or roughly 16 km looped via the Vereda do Galhano. Edges are crumbly and exposed — for sure-footed hikers only.

Highlights

  • One of Madeira's longest and most spectacular tunnel walks
  • Penetrates the wild interior of the Ribeira da Janela valley
  • The kilometre-plus tunnel is a highlight in itself
  • Endemic flora and dramatic abyss views

Water on the route

  • Ribeira da Janela stream — the longest watercourse on the island
  • crystalline pools and small lagoons deep enough to swim
  • waterfalls falling onto the path and inside the long tunnel
Tunnels: 7–9 tunnels depending on the route; the longest exceeds 1,200 m (over 1 km), often with water and waterfalls dripping inside — a torch is essential. Bring a head-torch — some levada tunnels are long, low and pitch black.

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