THE guide to Madeira for more than 30 years and a winner of the Thomas Cook Best Travel Guide Award. It really is indispensible for walking in Madeira or seeing Madeira by car. This 11th edition has been fully updated to reflect the changes brought about by storm and fire damage in 2010 and 2011. While dedicated hikers will revel in the island’s mountainous terrain (Madeira is one of Europe’s top destinations for mountain walks), walking the ‘levada’ paths is one of the most popular activities with visitors. Levadas are watercourses that carry rainfall from the mountains to irrigate the cultivated terraces. Click to read about the history of the levada system in Madeira.

Area covered: The entire island is covered by over 100 long and short walking routes.

The best months for walking in Madeira are July till May (June can be overcast).

This book is also available in a Kindle edition from Amazon websites world wide.

If you plan to use the local buses, stay in Funchal or Ribeira Brava for ease of access to the entire island. With a hire car you can stay almost anywhere since there are so many fast new roads.

For more information about Madeira and accommodation, see www.love-madeira.com, www.madeiratourism.org, www.visitingmadeira.com or www.madeira-island.com or www.madeira-web.com or www.madeira-digital.com. 

Guidebook contains 6 car tours, 100 long and short walks, 27 picnic suggestions
144 pages + touring map; plan of Funchal; large-scale (1:40,000) topo maps
11th ed, 2012; ISBN 978-1-85691-413-0; UK retail price £12.99 / USA retail price $17.99

Table of contents:

Preface 5
The levadas 5
Acknowledgements; Recommended reading 7
A country code for walkers and motorists 8
Getting about 9
Plan of Funchal city centre 10-11
with city exits and bus departure points
Picnicking 12
Picnic suggestions 12

Touring 17
1 MADEIRA NORTH AND SOUTH 18
2 EASTERN MADEIRA’S GENTLE CHARMS 21
3 THE CORRAL AND THE CAPE 24
4 MOUNTAINS AND MORE MOUNTAINS! 26
5 PORTO MONIZ AND THE PAÚL DA SERRA 30
6 THE SUNNY SOUTHWEST COAST 33

Walking 35
Guides, waymarking, maps 35
Where to stay 36
Weather 37
What to take 38
Nuisances 38
Portuguese for walkers 39
Organisation of the walks 40
Appetizer: from Santa to Porto Moniz 41

FUNCHAL AND THE SOUTHEAST
1 The Socorridos Valley 42
2 From the Poço da Neve to Barreira 45
3 From the Eira do Serrado to Curral 47
4 Boca da Corrida · Pico Grande · Encumeada 49
5 Fontes · Achada da Pinta · Trompica · Fontes 51
6 Levada do Norte: from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos to Barreiras 54
7 Levada dos Tornos: from Romeiros to the Sítio das Quatro Estradas 59
8 Camacha · Levada do Caniço · Assomada 67
9 Santo da Serra · Levada Nova · Sítio das Quatro Estradas 68
10 Levada da Serra: from Choupana to Portela 70
11 Levada do Caniçal: from Maroços to the Caniçal tunnel 72
12 Pico do Facho – Caniçal circuit 74
13 Ponta de São Lourenço 76

THE NORTHEAST AND THE GREAT PEAKS
14 North coast path: Caniçal tunnel · Boca do Risco · Porto da Cruz 79
15 From Portela to Porto da Cruz 83
16 Cruz · Levada do Castelejo · Cruz 84
17 Penha de Águia 85
18 Santana · São Jorge · Vigia 87
19 Pico do Arieiro · Pico Ruivo · Achada do Teixeira 89
20 Achada do Teixeira · Pico Ruivo · Torrinhas · Encumeada 92
21 Pico das Pedras · Cova da Roda · Cruzinhas 95
22 Queimadas · Levada do Caldeirão Verde · Santana 97
23 Queimadas · Caldeirão do Inferno · Queimadas 100
24 Fajã da Nogueira 102
25 Levada do Furado: Ribeiro Frio · Lamaceiros · Portela 104
26 Circuit around Santana 107
27 Two walks from Boaventura 109
28 Queimadas · Vale da Lapa · Ilha de São Jorge 111

THE WEST AND NORTHWEST
29 Levada da Fajã do Rodrigues 112
30 Lombada da Ponta do Sol · Levada Nova · Tabua · Ribeira Brava 113
31 Encumeada · Levada do Lombo do Mouro · Ribeira Brava 115
32 Folhadal and the Norte and Rabaças levadas 117
33 Bica da Cana · Levada da Serra · Pináculo · Bica da Cana 119
34 Circuit around Ponta do Pargo 121
35 Campo Grande · Levada do Paúl · Rabaçal · Loreto 122
36 Cascalho 126
37 Rabaçal’s levadas 128
38 Levada da Ribeira Grande 131
39 Pico Ruivo do Paúl 132
40 From Prazeres to Paúl do Mar 133
41 Levada Calheta­Ponta do Pargo 134
42 Levada da Central da Ribeira da Janela 136

Bus timetables 138

Index of geographical names 144

Touring map Inside back cover

Abra Bay see Baía da Abra
Achada da Pinta 51, 53, TM
Achada do Teixeira 14, 26, 27, 89, 91, 92, 93, TM
Achadinha 60-1, 70, 138
Águas Mansas 22, 59, 62-3, 71, 138
Arco da Calheta 33, 124-5
Arco de São Jorge 15, 20, 26, 28, 109, 110, cover
Assomada 13, 16, 23, 62-3, 67, 138
Babosas 20, 59, 60-1, 65, 138, 142
Baía da Abra 14, 23, 76-7
Balcões 14, 20, 28, 104, 105
Barreira 43, 45, 46, 138, 142
Barreiras 54-5, 58, 114-5
Bica da Cana 15, 30, 32, 119, 120, 132, TM
Boa Morte 12, 33, 54-5, 56, 57, 58, 138
Boaventura 18, 20, 109, 110, 138, cover
Boca da Corrida 25, 49, 51, TM
Boca do Cerro 48, 49, 50, TM
Boca do Risco 72, 79, 80-1
Boqueirão 59, 62-3, 138
Cabo 15, 120, 121
Cabo Girão 24, 25, 33, 138
Caldeira 54-5, 56
Caldeirão do Inferno 98-9, 100, 101, TM
Caldeirão Verde 95, 98-9, TM
Calheta 33, 124-5, 135
Camacha 21, 22, 59, 60-1, 62-3, 64, 67, 71, 138
Câmara de Lobos 24
Campanário 18, 53, 54-5, 57, 138
Campo Grande 122, 124-5, TM
Canhas 33, 138
Caniçal 22, 72, 74, 76-7, 138
road tunnel 22, 72, 74, 75, 76-7, 79, 80-81, 138
Caniço 23, 62-3, 138
Capela dos Cardais 22, 62-3, 68
Casa do Sardinha 76-7, 78
Casas do Dr Alberto 51, TM
Cascalho 117, 126, 127, TM
Cedro Gordo 28
Chão das Feiteiras 104, 105
Chão dos Louros 18, 30, TM
Choupana 60-1, 70, 71
Cortado 15, 98-99, 107, 108
Corticeiras 49, 51, 52, 54-5, 138
Corujeira 114-5
Cova da Roda 95, 96, 98-9
Cruz 14, 27, 80-1, 84, 85, 86, 138
Cruz da Caldeira 54-5, 56
Cruz da Guarda 80-1, 83, 105
Cruzinhas 28, 95, 96, 98-9, 138
Cumial 92, TM
Curral das Freiras 24, 46-47, 48, 50, 89, 92, 138, TM
Eira de Fora 22
Eira do Mourão 54-5, 58
Eira do Serrado 12, 24, 47, 138, TM
Encumeada 15, 18, 30, 32, 49, 50, 92, 94, 115, 117, 118, 138, TM
Espigão Amarelo 79, 80-1, 82
Estreito de Câmara de Lobos 25, 33, 49, 54-5, 138
Faial 18, 20, 26, 27, 28, 92, 95, 138
Fajã (below Curral) 43, 44
Fajã (above Ribeira Brava) 54-5, 114-5
Fajã da Murta 96, 98-9
Fajã da Nogueira 28, 100, 101, 102-3, TM
Fajã da Ovelha 34, 134-5
Fajã da Rocha do Navio 98-99, 108
Fajã dos Cardos 92, TM
Fanal 8, 30
Feiteiras 19
Florenças 124-5
Folhadal 117, 118, TM
Fonte do Bispo 30, 31, 137
Fontes 33, 51, 52, 53, 138, TM
Formiga 113, 114-5, 138
Fortim do Faial 28
Funchal 10-11, 13, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 33, 43, 138
Garachico 25, 33, 54-5, 56, 57
Gaula 62-3, 64
Homem em Pé 14, 28, 89, 93, TM
Ilha de São Jorge 98-9, 111, 138
Jardim da Serra 25, 49, 51
Jardim do Mar 134-5
João Frino 62-3, 65
Lamaceiros (above Portela) 70, 71, 80-1, 104, 105, 106
Lamaceiros (above Porto Moniz) 31, 136, 137
Larano 79, 80-1, 82, 83
Levada 5-7
Calheta­Ponta do Pargo 124-5, 134-5, 135
da Bica da Cana 16, 124-5, 126-7, TM
da Central da Ribeira da Janela 16, 136, 137
da Fajã do Rodrigues 19, 112
da Negra 6, 39, 43, 46, TM
da Portela 80-1, 105, 106
da Ribeira Grande 16, 123, 124-5, 131
da Rocha Vermelha 124-5, 128, 130
da Serra (below Bica da Cana) 119, 120, TM
da Serra (above Santo da Serra) 13, 21, 22, 26, 27, 29, 60-1, 62-3, 70-1, 104, 105, TM
das Rabaças 117, 118, TM
das Vinte e Cinco Fontes 16, 123, 124-5, 129, 130
de Cima 109, 110 , cover
do Caldeirão Verde 14, 27, 95, 97, 98-9, 100-1, 111
do Caniçal 13, 72, 73, 75, 76-7, 80-1
do Caniço 13, 16, 62-3, 67
do Cantinho 98-99, 107, 108
do Castelejo 14, 80-1, 84-5, 105
do Curral (e Castelejo) 42, 43, 44, 47, TM
do Furado 2, 104, 105, 106
do Lombo do Mouro 114-5, 116, 119, TM
do Moinho 113, 114-5
do Norte 12, 15, 18, 33, 54-5, 56, 57-8, 94, 117, 118, TM
do Paúl 16, 122, 124-5, TM
do Pico 60-1, 62-3, 71
do Pico Ruivo 98-9, 101, 102, 103, TM
do Risco 16, 123, 124-5, 128, 129
dos Piornais 7, 42, 43
dos Tornos 13, 22, 26, 59, 60-1, 62-3, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 71, TM
Nova (Porto da Cruz) 80-1, 84
Nova (Raposeira) see Levada Calheta­Ponta do Pargo
Nova (Santo da Serra) 62-3, 68, 69
Nova (Tabua) 113, 114-5
Lombada 43, 138, 142
Lombada da Ponta do Sol 33, 34, 113, 114-5
Lombada dos Marinheiros 121, 135
Lombada Velha 120, 121
Lombo do Galego 96, 98-9
Lombo do Mouro 15, 32, 115, 116, TM
Lombo dos Moinhos 134-5
Lombo Grande 59, 62-3, 65, 138
Loreto 33, 122, 124-5, 128, 135, 138
Lugar da Serra 53, 54-5
Machico 21, 22, 62-3, 138
Madalena do Mar 34, 138
Maiata 80-1, 105
Maroços 22, 72, 80-1, 138
Miradouro 19, 112
Miradouro do Juncal 27, TM
Montado do Barreiro 26, TM
Montado do Pereiro 26
Montado do Sabugal 103, TM
Monte 18, 20, 59, 60-1, 71, 138, 142
N S da Boa Morte 15, 120, 121
Nogueira (near Camacha) 59, 60-1, 62-3, 65, 138
Nogueira (near Cabo Girão) 54-5, 56
Palheiro Ferriero 21, 26, 59, 60-1, 138, 142
Paúl da Serra 30, 31, 116, 124-5, 126, 131
Paúl do Mar 33, 34, 133, 134-5, 138
Penha de Águia 27, 80-1, 83, 85-6
Penha de Águia de Baixo 80-1, 85-6
Pico
da Boneca 15, 98-99, 107
da Cruz 53, TM
da Nogueira 102, 103, TM
da Torre 25
da Urze 32, 124-5
das Pedras 26, 27, 95, 98-9, TM
das Torres 1, 84-5, 90-1, 119, TM
do Alto 110
do Arco 33
do Arieiro 1, 4, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 26, 45, 84-5, 90-1, 119, TM
do Cidrão 90-1, TM
do Facho 13, 21, 23, 73, 74, 76-7, 80, 138
do Ferreiro 94, TM
do Gato 84-5, 91, 119, TM
do Jorge 94, TM
do Suna 104, 105, 106
dos Barcelos 24, 43
Grande 1, 4, 48, 49, 50, 117, TM
Ruivo 1, 14, 26, 28, 89, 91, 92, 93, 100, 119, TM
Ruivo do Paúl 16, 124-5, 132, TM
Vermelho 15, 120, 121
Pináculo (Bica da Cana) 119, 120, TM
Pináculo (Funchal) 23
Pinheiro das Voltas 42, 43, 138, 142
Poço da Neve 12, 13, 27, 45, TM
Poiso 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 45, 138
Ponta Delgada 18, 19, 110
Ponta de São Lourenço 14, 21, 23, 75, 76-7, 78
Ponta do Pargo 33, 120, 121, 135, 138
Ponta do Sol 34, 138
Portela 14, 26, 27, 70, 71, 80-1, 82-3, 104, 105, 106, 138
Porto da Cruz 26, 27, 79, 80-1, 82, 83, 85, 138
Porto Moniz 18, 19, 30, 32, 41, 136, 137, 138
Prainha 76-7
Prazeres 15, 16, 33, 133, 134-5, 138
Quebradas (Funchal) 42, 43, 142
Quebradas (above Porto Moniz) 31
Queimadas 14, 26, 28, 89, 95, 97, 98-9, 100, 101, 111
Quinta Grande 25, 33, 54-5, 57
Rabaçal 16, 30, 32, 122, 123, 124-5, 128, 129, 130, 131
Rancho Pico das Pedras 14, 27, 28, 95, 97, 98-9
Raposeira 33, 134-5, 138
Referta 27, 80-1, 84, 105
Ribeira (river, river valley)
Brava 54-5, 58, 114-5, 116
da Boaventura 13, 22, 62-3, 65, 66
da Caixa (near Estreito) 54-5, 56
da Caixa (near Lombada da Ponta do Sol) 114-5, TM
da Fajã da Nogueira 102, 103, TM
da Janela 16, 30, 31, 124-5, 132, 137
da Lapa 43, 44
da Maiata 80-1, 82, 83, 105
da Metade 28, 84-5, 98-9
da Noia 73, 80-1
da Ponta do Sol 113, 114-5, 117, 126-7, TM
da Tabua 114-5
de Machico 22, 80-1
de Santa Cruz 62-3, 65, 68, 69
de Santa Luzia 13, 45, TM
de São Jorge 29, 88, 98-9
do Alecrím 123, 124-5, 131
do Arvoredo 43, 44
do Campanário 51, 54-5, 57, TM
do Curral 43, 44, 92, TM
do Poço 50, TM
do Poço do Bezerro 104, 105
do Porto Novo 13, 16, 23, 62-3, 64, 66, 67
do Serrado (Caniçal) 75, 76-7
do Serrado (Ponta do Pargo) 120, 121
dos Moinhos (Boaventura) 109, 110
dos Moinhos (Ponta do Pargo) 120, 121
dos Socorridos 7, 42, 43, 44
Grande (Machico) 73, 80-1
Grande (Rabaçal) 124-5, 129, 130, 131
Seca (Faial) 28, 84-5, 96, 100, 102, 103, TM
Seca (Machico) 73, 80-1
Tem-te Não Caias 27, 80-1, 84, 105
Ribeira Brava 33, 34, 55, 92, 113, 114-5, 116, 138
Ribeira da Janela 30, 137
Ribeira da Vaca 120
Ribeira de Machico 80-1, 105
Ribeira Seca 72, 80-1, 138
Ribeirinha 60-1, 62-3, 64, 65, 67, 138
Ribeiro Frio 14, 18, 20, 26, 28, 104, 105, 107, 138
(river) 28, 84, 105
Risco 16, 124-5, 128, 129
Roçada 109, 110
Romeiros 59, 60-1, 65, 71, 138, 142
Rosário 1, 18, 19, 30, 112
Salgados 62-3, 67
Santa 31, 41, 138
Santa Cruz 21, 23
Santana 15, 18, 20, 26, 28, 29, 36, 87, 88, 89, 92, 95, 97, 98-9, 100, 108, 138
Santo António (Santana) 98-9, 107, 108
Santo da Serra 21, 22, 62-3, 66, 68, 69, 71, 80-1, 138
São João Latrão 60-1, 138, 142
São Jorge 20, 26, 28, 29, 87, 88, 138
São Lourenço, see Ponta de
São Martinho 23, 43
São Paulo 51, 52, 54-5
São Roque do Faial 84-5
São Vicente 18, 19, 30, 115, 138
Seixal 30
Serra de Água 18, TM
Serrado 120, 121
Sítio das Quatro Estradas 13, 27, 59, 62-3, 66, 68, 69, 71, 138
Tabua 113, 114-5, TM
Terreiro da Luta 26, 60-1
Torrinhas 89, 92, 94, TM
Trapiche 43, 45, 138, 142
Vale da Lapa 98-9, 110
Vale do Paraíso 29, 60-1, 71
Vinte e Cinco Fontes 16, 124-5, 128, 129

Madeira, 11th edition (February 2012), updated 15/05/13

Updates for walks and car tours (drives) on Madeira given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book and want to “upgrade” to the latest edition at half price.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

IMPORTANT: Fires have been burning on the island during July 2012. For the latest news, see http://madeiraislanddirect.com and click on the blog.

New roads: A new road has just been opened between Volta Pico da Malhada (near where the new tunnel to Curral is located) to the Snow House below Pico do Arieiro. There appears also to be an extension to Barreira (Walk 2). In all there are 16km of roads. Although narrow, the road can be used by cars as well as walkers. Note that the road is only open in daylight hours. (Sunflower) + The new road from Pico Volta da Malhada to the Snow House is well worth driving. It is very steep, mostly first gear, but there are plenty of places to pull over to view the scenery. It is narrow and there is only just room for two cars to pass, I sincerely hope no larger vehicles venture onto it!!… For car access to  walk 6 at Boa Morte, there has been for a couple of years a very easy route up from Junction 2 on the Rapida. As you leave the rapid you turn uphill towards the ER 229. On joining the ER there is a sign to Boa Morte, this takes you through 2 new tunnels, the second of which brings you out just above the Levada at Boa Morte… On Walk 10 there is yet another new road being built which crosses the levada just east of the little house with the scarecrow figure in the garden. It is above Ribeira Seca and below the peak Castanho.  I asked a local taxi driver where this road was going and he said he had no idea!! It certainly does not improve the appearance of this stretch of one of our favourite levadas. (User, 2/13)

Bus timetables: A British couple running a b&b on the island have closed the gap left by the tourist office no longer selling a booklet of bus timetables. At www.tjwalking-madeira.com you can download their “Unofficial Bus Guide”. Their guide also shows the liveries of the different bus companies. (Sunflower, 10/12)

Car tour 1: On page 20 we have failed to delete the reference to the lovely chapel at Babosas, which no longer exists, having been swept away in the catastrophic floods of 2010. (Sunflower)

Appetizer walk: Here is a pleasant extension to the walk, giving views of Porto Moniz from the other side. When you leave the levada near the end of the walk, turn right on the road to emerge just below the church in Porto Moniz. Turn right up the main road past the town hall. Take the first road on the left, Caminha da Ladeira, and climb steeply. Before the first sharp right hand bend, turn left onto a narrow concrete path sign-posted Vereda da Vigia. Follow this concrete path, with some steps and signs across the hillside, then a narrow grassy path to steps up to the Vigia – an old whale look-out point with a picnic table and views of the town and the sea. About 15 minutes from the town hall. Return to the main road and continue down into Porto Moniz. If you are staying in Porto Moniz, as we were, you can do the walk up to Santa and down again, taking in the Vigia on the way down. Going up to Santa, take main road up to the church, then the cobbled road to the right between the church and the town hall. Just above the church, at an old public tap and basin, turn left onto the cobbled Caminha da Pedra Mole and climb upwards to join the route well above the levada. (User, 2008)

Walk 2: The top part of this walk may be cut by a new road (see ‘New Road’ above). (Sunflower, 10/12)

Walk 3, Path blocked: At the end of the walk (only about 50 m from the concrete steps to the road) somebody has blocked the path, claiming that it crosses private property (even going so far as to erect an official looking dead-end sign at the steps). Walkers are forced to reach the road via an awkward, rather steep scramble over muddy rocks. (User, 9/12: The user also sent in a photo of what looks like a little log cabin with a TV antenna just near the path, so we are a bit mystified. Perhaps someone has bought the land and built a shed? At least there is an alternative path, which will probably soon be cut into turf steps. Sunflower)

Walk 6, Alternative ending: The “2000 steps” are no more. The new roads to Eira do Mourao and at the bottom in Faja have reduced the number to about 1550. (See map.) (Sunflower)

Walk 7, Short walk 1: Following the UPPER Route descibed on page 59. There has been a very severe landslip at the point at which the Levada dos Tornos emerges from the levada Tunnel. The whole slope has been swept away into the valley leaving a very narrow earth path on the approach to the tunnel and just the concrete outer edge of the levada totally exposed by the landslide. A wooden pole has been placed across the levada to enable walkers to cross onto the non-exposed inner edge of the levada but after about 20 metres you must then JUMP BACK across the quite wide and deep levada to regain the main levada path. We passed a number of walkers who had obviously negotiated the obstacle in this fashion, as we did, but it would be terrifying for anyone with vertigo. (User,  2/13)

Short walk 2: We used the short cut across the valley at the start and went through the second tunnel near Noguera, rather than the recommended road route. The tunnel is low at the start but soon becomes easy. At the end of the tunnel we turned right up a path, right again at the first path junction and emerged on the route from the book by turning right on joining a minor road below the new road bridge (high above). It is then a short but uphill walk into Camacha. (User, 2/12)

Walk 8: This has been badly damaged by the fires. (User, 8/12)

Walk 9: We did this walk on 10/11/2012 and were unable to get to Quatro Estradas. At the water catchment area, we found that the bridge had gone and the river was in spate. We took the alternative finish to the walk, as described in the guide, finishing back at Santo. It was also the case that neither the ‘normal’ finish steps, nor the ‘alternative end’ steps were very obvious. Our suggested amendment to the guide would read: ‘From the water catchment, backtrack just over one minute and descend steps on right to a ford over the river…’. Also, for the alternative end text, ‘Backtrack from the water catchment area to the normal descent steps, then go a little further to locate hard-to-find concrete steps on the left. Climb these…’ (User, 5/13)

 10: We have had reports that part of the route is used by mountain bikers. (Sunflower, 2/12)

Walk 13: The rock isn’t ‘sandstone’ – it is ‘volcanic ash and thin lavas’ and it is cut by at least two series of dykes, some of them multiple !! (User)

Walk 22: After visiting Caldeirão Verde, we retraced our steps to the first tunnel and took PR1.1 towards Ruivo [as shown on the map, but not mentioned in the text]. It is a lovely path, complete with hundreds of wooden log steps. If you like climbing steeply uphill for 2 hours it is great. If you don’t then don’t! At the junction with path on Walk 19/20/PR1.2 we turned left to Achada do Teixeira, got a car lift from a friendly walker to Rancho Madeirense and then used the levada to get back to Queimadas. (User, 2/10)

Walk 23: We enjoyed walking from Queimadas to Caldeirao Verde on Monday 6th May. We continued on the path to the Caldeirao Inferno as far as the left turn up the steps. From the Caleirao Verde to this point and including the steps up to the left, the levada now features excellent new protective fences, similar to the ones which protect the levada to the Caleirao verde. Therefore it is not that scary! (User, 5/13)

 25: A large water storage tank is being built just beyond the Lamacerios waterhouse, but this did not affect the route. (User, 2/12)

Walk 26: We started this from the centre of Santana (better for transport, shops and cafe). The zig-zag path to the trig point at Pico da Boneca was not obvious. We walked through the tunnel to the levada path at the Pico da Boneca, but the drops were vertiginous so we didn’t take this alternative route. The alternative short cut route from Pico da Boneca to Santo Antonio was also not obvious on the ground, so again we didn’t attempt it. (User, 2/12)

Walk 27, Walk B: Following recent heavy rains, the high cliff path has totally collapsed and disappeared at its high point about 0.5 km west of Arco over what looks like a length of 5m, so it is not possible to extend the walk to Arco. Currently we would recommend, in view of the overgrown nature of the track above the temporary railed section, that good views from the cliffs can equally be taken from the start of the hand rail section about half way up from the Ribeira do Porco. The views are excellent and still worth the effort. (User, 2/13) + We started at Arco. The path was taped off about 400m east of the snack bar/restaurant Arco. However we managed two splendid meals there, and discovered that the local committee had met there last week, had a large lunch and are hoping to repair the path “soon, but no money available”. (User, 3/13)

Walk 30: We have just walked the Levada Nova from Lombada to Lombo Cesteiro. All the way in fine condition, lot of fenches are put up, only a few vertigos without fences, but no one alarming. Only thing is, you still have to take the short detour through the valley at the 1h05min-point. (User, 2/12) + We found a lazy way to do this walk. Take bus 80 from Funchal; it stops for 20min in Ribeira Brava, then continues to Porto Moniz. Get off at Ponta do Sol and wait for the No 4 bus into the village, avoiding the stiff climb from the main road. (User, 3/08) + We took bus 80 to Ponta do Sol and walked up to Lombada do Ponta do Sol using the green steps at the left of the shopping centre. When you reach the village, take the first road on your left, just before the chapel and walk in a straight line to the Solar (about 35 minutes). (User, 11/09)

Walk 32/33: We combined part of these 2 walks by starting from the car parking on the E110 at Lombo do Mouro and following PR17 via Pinaculo, Casa do Caramujo and the Levada do Norte to Encumeada. [Sunflower's note: They did waymarked PR17; see map on reverse of touring map.] The path was being improved and new handrails added at the start. We needed waterproof clothing for the first few miles as the path is below some cascading water in parts. The route was clear and easy, although there are a lot of steps from the Casa do Caramujo down to the Levada do Norte. (User 2/12)

Walk 37: Rabacal Levadas Bottom of Page 130. Stonelaid path leading up to Rabacal was still broken by landslip in Feb 2013. We were informed that the landslip occured 3 years ago and that it is likely to remain unrepaired for the foreseeable future due to a dispute between the Water company and the Madeiran Government over who should repair it! Assent of this route requires repeated crossing of the loose and muddy landslip. This is extremely dangerous and it is much safer to return back up the path used for the decent from 25 Fontes. (User, 2/13)

Walk 38: I did this as a guided group walk. The Madeiran guide called it the Levada do Alecrim. Excellent walking. On the way back we climbed up a path on the left (10 minutes from the levada source, and reached the Levada do Lajeado, an old levada that ends at a sign Lajeado on the road, but not useful for people with a car of course. (User, 2/12)

SOME USEFUL TAXI TELEPHONE NUMBERS: 24-hour taxi 741 412
municipal taxi ranks
Arco 291 578 032
Boaventura see São Vicente and Arco
Camacha 922 185
Câmara de Lobos 942 407
Caniçal 961 989
Curral see Santo Antonio
Encumeada see Ribeira Brava
Estreito 945 229
Funchal, centre 222 500; 222 000
Funchal, market 226 400
Funchal, west 766 620
Machico 962 220; 962 480
Monte 782 158
Palheiro Ferreiro see Funchal
Ponta do Pargo see Porto Moniz
Portela see Porto da Cruz
Porto da Cruz 562 411
Porto Moniz 852 243
Ribeira Brava 952 349; 951 800
Ribeiro Frio see Monte
Santana 572 540
Santo Antonio (Funchal) 743 110
Santo da Serra 552 100
São Jorge see Santana
São Vicente 842 238
Vinháticos see Ribeira Brava