It is a fantastic and safe trail to be done at any time of the year. Upon reaching the waterfall of Caldeirão Verde, let yourself be dazzled by the fantastic view.
This Levada, is an impressive work of art built in the 18th century, starts at the main bed of Ribeira do Caldeirão Verde and crosses abrupt escarpments and mountains, transporting the water that flows from the highest mountains of Madeira island to the irrigation agricultural land in the parish of Faial.
Calderião verde hike details
Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike was 12 kilometers.
Hike Duration: The hike will take you about four hours, especially if you have a nice lunch break at the main waterfall, which is at the halfway point of the trail before you turn back.
Hike Difficulty: The beauty of this trail, and one of the reasons why it is so popular, is that it has almost no incline. Over the course of 12 kilometers, there are only around 100 meters of incline.
Starts at: Queimadas park
Ends at: Caldeirão do inferno
Park your car in the Parque das Queimadas car park. If you want to stock up on snacks or water, you can do so in one of the typical thatched-roof houses found at the beginning of the route.
If you take the route in autumn, winter, or even early spring, get ready to cross some small streams that run between the rocks and to pass beside or even under some small waterfalls that run down the mountainside.
Up to the Caldeirão Verde, 4 tunnels (some more extensive than others) await you, which you will have to cross in total darkness. Turn on the flashlight and be careful not to hit your head on the top.
At the end of the 6.5 km, go up the stairs that are to the left of the river and the waterfall, and after a few meters, you will arrive at Lagoa do Caldeirão Verde.
The waterfall is one of the best on Madeira, easily. It’s got to be around the 100-meter mark and flows down into a perfect, circular lagoon below.
Down the stairs you will have the possibility to choose between going back or continuing the route to the Caldeirão do InfernoIf you choose to continue on your way, you only have to prepare to climb (and descend) a steep staircase with more than 300 steps.
In this route, species of indigenous avifauna can also be observed, especially the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), the bisbis (Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis), the Trocaz Pigeon(Columba trocaz trocaz), the Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea schmitzi), and the Madeira Buzzard (Buteo buteo harteti).
Necessary equipment:
- Hooded waterproof jacket
- Resistant footwear, with good adhesion to slippery floors, and waterproof
- Bottle of water
- "Snacks"
- Backpack with waterproof cover
- Flashlight (head-on, preferably)
Rules and advice:
- Always take a company with you
- Make sure you start and end your route during the day
- Take a cell phone with a charged battery
- Do not get off the defined rail
- Don't leave garbage behind
- Always tell someone who is going to do the trail