Hiking PR10 Levada do Furado: Ribeiro Frio to Portela, Madeira

Levada do Furado is an easy levada walk found on the Portuguese island of Madeira. This 10.7km hike is a point-to-point trail that departs from the northern village of Ribeiro Frio and ends in the laid back ambiance that is Portela. The route is a perfect introduction to the many beautiful levada walks throughout the island and to the lush northern corridors of Madeira.

This Levada do Furado guide will assist you in your planning from Ribeiro Frio to the small town of Portela. It provides important information on public transport as well as route details. This information equips you with the knowledge needed to plan your trek effectively.

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Levada do Furando Hiking Trail Information

• Distance: 10.7km
• Time: ~3-4 hours with breaks
• Route: Point to Point
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
• Facilities: Washroom at trailhead

Guided or Independent

PR10 Levada do Furado can be hiked independently, with a guide, or with a group tour.

Due to the walk being a pont to point and not a loop, it could be beneficial to use a guide or group tour, as it means less logistics to figure out.

Book your ribeiro frio to portela walk here

Best Time to Hike Levada do Furado

Madeira is a year round destination. Known as the island of “eternal spring”, there is never a bad time to visit. Temperatures can range from 15-25 degrees Celsius and depend on which part of the island you visit. The hottest and driest months are between May and August.

I visited in the month of March and found the temperatures perfect for hiking. Ribeiro Frio is up in the chilly mountainous region of Madeira and away from the coast. Expect more mild temperatures, especially in the morning.

Levadas in Madeira

Built in the late 15th century, levadas were used in Madeira as an irrigation system, to transport water from one side of the island to the other for agricultural purposes. Today, these channels continue to be used for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric power.

There are over 2000kms worth of canals and 200 levadas scattered all over Madeira. They are no more than a meter wide and run alongside the walking trail. Some levadas are constantly flowing, while others run dry.

How to Get To Ribeiro Frio from Funchal

Since this is a point to point walk, it’s recommended to ditch the car and use the local transit. Bus stops are dispersed around the capital city of Funchal, however it’s better to hop on at the main bus terminal, as buses tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak travel season.

Tickets can be purchased on board and vary in price, depending on which zone you travel to. Expect to pay around 3-4 euros to get to Ribeiro from Funchal.

Route: Teleférico-Término (4A) to RIB Frio-Viveiro Trutas (S11)

• Bus Company: Horarios do Funchal
• Bus Number: 56 (Santana) or 103 (Arco São Jorge)
• Bus Schedule here
• Duration: 30-40 minutes

Ribeiro Frio Trailhead and Facilities

The trailhead for Levada do Furado is located behind the restaurant Ribeiro Frio. There are clearly marked signs indicating the direction and trailhead location.

Washrooms are located inside the restaurant and there is also a paid toilet beside the chapel on the right hand side of the building.

Once in Portela, across from the bus stop, there is another restaurant that has access to snacks, beer and a washroom.

Levada do Furado Hiking Route

Once past the trailhead, the path will lead into a thick mossy forest. The majority of the trail is through full coverage forest and beside the fast flowing levada. This area in northern Madeira is quite chilly compared to the coastal areas. Layers are recommended for this trail during the off season.

Caution should also be made while accessing some of the more narrow paths, as landslides can occur.

There is very little signage required on this hike as it closely follows the levada and rarely deviates. The path itself is extremely well defined and maintained and the trail poses next to no risk of getting lost or losing your way.

There are points where the levada intersects with others, and at those particular locations there is signage pointing in the right direction.

Hugging the rock cliffs and levada, the trail will weave in and out of the rocky outcrop. Within the first hour of the hike, there is a break in the forest and mountain views can be seen in the distance.

Safety railings are placed along the edges of steep drops in areas where the path narrows. Exercise a higher level of caution at these points, as they are dangerous enough without adding the congestion that a busy day would bring.

Back in the coverage of the forest, and stone paths, there are a few small narrow openings and passages to walk through. Some appear to be very dark, but there is enough light to safely walk through without an assistance.

Past the clefts in the rock, there are more exposed areas to view the coast and neighbouring towns. Some of these areas are quite narrow, so be careful when accessing this area.

Around 2.5 hours into the hike, you will pass by the Lamaceiros forestry station. This area and is a good spot to stop to catch your breath or eat lunch.

Just past this point, the Levada do Furando ends and re-connects to Levada da Portela.

As you descend down into Portela, a reservoir holding the water from the levada will come into view. This is used for future distribution throughout the region.

The long descent down is a nice straightforward path through the vibrant greenery that fills the area. The levada alongside the path will move quicker as it runs down the hill.

Return to Funchal from Portela

The trail will conclude down the forest and onto ER102. Continue left down this road until you reach a parking area and lookout point on your left hand side.

Across the road from the viewpoint, on the right hand side, is a set of stairs that will lead down to the SAM bus stop and Restaurant Portela a Vista. Here you can use the washroom or purchase food.

Route: Faial-Porto Da Cruz-Funchal (Portela-Funchal)

• Bus Company: SAM bus
• Bus Number: 53 or 78
• Bus schedule here
• Price: 4 euros
• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Unfortunately the return bus to Fuchal was not operational the day I hiked, as it was a holiday. A simple missight on my part. Luckily, there are taxis in the area.

Since this is a popular route, I would recommend sharing the taxi cost with other hikers if you find yourself without a way back to Funchal. A full taxi will usually cost each person around 5-7 euros.

Further Exploring

Looking to explore more of Madeira by foot? Check out the below locations for more excitement.

Fanal and Levada dos Cedros 

Fanal is another beautiful hike found in the west of Madeira. I recommend reaching out to Madeira Trail Tours or local guide Dinarte, to help with logistics and provide some insight into the area. They offer guided walks and running tours all over the island.

Funchal

One can easily spend and afternoon or day getting lost in the winding narrow streets of the capital city of Funchal. Opt for a walk along the waterfront or make your way into the hills for a more rewarding view.

Ponta São Lourenço

Ponta São Lourenço is on the east side of Madeira and is a beautiful 8km coastal walk. Check out my full hiking guide on this public transit friendly hike.