Levada walks are the most popular activity in Madeira. The Levada do Caldeirao Verde and Levada Caldeirao do Inferno are probably some of the most impressive ones. Technically these are considered separate hikes but in many ways, they go hand in hand and make for one awesome hike!
The Green Cauldron Levada, known as the Levada do Caldeirao Verde in Portuguese, surely holds true to its name with its super lush flora, rushing waterfalls, and valleys. The beautiful but more challenging Caleirao do Inferno (Hell’s cauldron) adds about 4km to your trek.
Get your hiking boots ready backpackers! Here is all you need to know about the Levada do Caldeirao Verde and Caldeirao do Inferno.
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What is Levada do Caldeirao Verde?
Levada do Caldeirao Verde is a 6.5km one-way (13km total) hike along a water channel, with some impressive views of greenery on one side and stunning waterfalls along on the other. The walk starts in Queimadas at 883m above sea level. It’s mostly a flat walk with a low elevation gain.
The path is quite wide at the beginning but, as you continue, it becomes more narrow as you approach 4 tunnels towards the end. In winter, the path can be wet and slippery, with sections of the tunnels that may be covered in water. The endpoint of the Levada is the Caldeirao Verde waterfall, an impressive 100m waterfall that drops into a plunge basin.
What is the Levada do Caldeirao do Inferno?
Levada do Caldeirao do Inferno is a 2.2km one-way (4.4km total) walk that starts at Caldeirao Verde waterfall. It basically stretches further in the forest, from the end of Caldeirao Verde.
Unlike the previous walk, to reach the Caldeirao do Inferno you need to climb up a flight of stairs. The elevation difference is about 110m, and you’ll hit around 8 tunnels throughout your walk. The path is more impervious than the Levada do Caldeirao Verde and also the tunnels are also a little bit more challenging as they are narrower and often flooded with water.
⛰️ HIKE INFO: LEVADA DO CALDEIRAO VERDE
Difficulty: easy
Length: 6.5km one way (13km total)
Duration: 3.5h
Elevation difference: negligible
⛰️ HIKE INFO: FROM CALDEIRAO VERDE TO CALDEIRAO DO INFERNO
Difficulty: moderate
Length: 2.2km one way (4.4km total)
Duration: 2h
Elevation difference: 110m
When combined together, you are looking at a 17.4km hike which will require slightly more than 5 hours to complete.
How to get to Levada do Caldeirao Verde
BY CAR: Caldeirao Verde is located near Santana, on the northern side of Madeira. It is easily accessible by car and has a very convenient parking area in Queimadas. Parking here costs €3 EUR ($3.42 USD) per day. This is quite a popular hike in Madeira (for good reason) so the parking lot might be full at some points during the day, especially during summer. Consider going relatively early in the morning.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: If you’re using public transport from Funchal, take the 56 bus which goes all the way up to Santana via the Ribeiro Frio valley. The journey takes approximately 1h 11min. The ticket price is about €2 EUR ($2.28 USD). From Santana, you will need to take a taxi to Queimadas.
Starting point of the Levada do Caldeirao Verde: Queimadas.
Levada do Caldeirao Verde – Detailed Guide
The trek to Caldeirao Verde begins in Queimadas. From the parking lot, walk a few meters towards the straw-thatched Casa de Abrigo. When you pass the house, you will see a duck pond in the area and a wooden bridge. Here you will find the first signage that indicates the Levada. Once you are on the path of the Levada, it’s hard to go wrong. Follow the water stream and enjoy your walk!
The first path of the Levada is wide and pleasant to walk stretching for a few hundred meters in the lush vegetation of the valley.
Note that shortly after, the path becomes much more narrow, so much so that at a certain point that path becomes a 30cm-wide wall along the water channel.
On this Levada, there are drop-offs up to 100m. If you are afraid of heights, there is a medium risk of vertigo. However, all the exposed sections are protected by a wire fence. The dense vegetation at the side of the path also lessens the effect.
After about 1.1km you will see the first waterfall and you will have to cross the river to continue the walk. There are a few rocks you can use as steps that allow you to easily cross without stepping in the water, but in winter months, especially after rainy days, rocks are slippery and water levels are a bit higher so expect your shoes to get lightly wet.
As you continue the Levada, you come across an arched bridge that allows the channel to pass over the gorge of the Ribeira dos Cedros valley. Proceed with your walk. After 3km from Queimadas, you’ll approach the second waterfall of this Levada. It’s a beautiful 50m drop with a crystal clear plunge basin.
After this waterfall, you will encounter the first tunnel. The first of the 4 tunnels is only 20m long, however, it’s pitch-dark because of the curve of the land. The second one is about 200m long and sometimes, especially after heavy rainfall, there can be up to 10cm of water in the tunnel.
TIP: Proper waterproof hiking shoes are ideal and we highly recommend bringing a flashlight for the tunnels (making sure it’s fully charged beforehand!).
It’s only past the longer of the two tunnels that you’ll encounter some vertiginous sections. As mentioned, all the exposed sections of this Levada are well-secured with cable fencing. With high risks come high rewards: the views here are impressive!
The Levada do Caldeirao Verde was constructed by long sections of a sheer rock face, which makes this path one of the most beautiful in Madeira.
After the 4th (and last tunnel), the Levada do Caldeirao Verde flows into the magnificent gorge of the Ribeira Grande. This is also the shortest tunnel of them all. You will see a sign indicating Caldeirao Verde.
Leave the Levada and walk on the rocky path on the left. After only 100 meters, you’ll be welcomed by the most impressive of the waterfalls: Caldeirao Verde.
From Caldeirao Verde to Caldeirao do Inferno – Detailed Guide
The path continues deep in the Ribeira Grande valley, changing name from Caldeirao Verde to Caldeirao do Inferno. Caldeirao do Inferno can only be reached in conjunction with Levada do Caldeirao Verde. Its path begins in Caldeirao Verde as a natural continuation of the same Levada. However, this is a more adventurous hike compared to the previous one.
Surprisingly, only a small percentage of those who visit Caldeirao Verde proceed towards the Caldeirao do Inferno. This is probably due to the length of the Levada and to the fact that you have to walk all the way back to finish it.
The trail is narrower and more impervious with respect to the one of Caldeirao Verde. While it has been recently secured with a cable fence, the slope does drop quite steeply into the valley at this point in the trail. You’ll need to be a little extra careful here and mind your steps as you walk.
Even though being narrower and rougher, the first part of the Levada do Caldeirao do Inferno is flat and still relatively easy. You will walk for about 1.3km in the lush greenery of the Ribeira Grande valley, surrounded by stunning views and countless plants.
After 1.3km you will reach a second sign indicating the path to Caldeirao do Inferno. You are now almost 8km deep into the forest of Madeira.
The last waterfall is just 0.9km away from this sign, but there are many stairs connecting the lower level to the higher part of the trail. While the elevation gain is only about 110 meters, it does feel more challending after many kilometers of walking.
The last part of the trail consists of 8 tunnels and it’s the most challenging of the whole hike. In fact, some of these tunnels are wet and the water can reach 10-20cm at some points, especially during winter.
Wearing waterproof boots is best. Alternatively, it’s easier to go barefoot than to get your shoes soaking wet, as you still have to walk for 9 km on the way back.
After the longest of these last tunnels, you will get to what is probably the most impressive part of the whole hike. You will be walking right in the heart of the Ribeira Grande gorge, a place that makes you feel small and powerless in the face of mother nature.
This place is loud and so humid. The sound of the waterfalls rumbles on without halt, steadily eroding the surrounding landscape. Two small bridges connect 2 different tunnels. The one after the bridges is where we have seen many people aborting their hike due to the excessive amount of water on the tunnel floor.
After the last tunnels the trail opens up and you’ll finally reach the Caldeirao do Inferno waterfall. Sadly, there wasn’t much water flowing when we went as it didn’t rain much during the days before our visit. This was quite a surprise as there was plenty of water in the previous part of the hike.
However, it wasn’t a disappointment as the walk itself from Caldeirao Verde to Caldeirao do Inferno was full of hidden gems and amazing spots.
Best Time to Visit Caldeirao Verde
As for most of the other Levada walks, you shouldn’t worry about sunlight or clouds as the whole trail is nestled deep in the valleys of Madeira.
On the other hand, when thinking about the best time to visit Levada do Caldeirao Verde you should keep in mind that it is a very touristy Levada and that the parking lot at Queimadas might get full in the late morning. This depends a lot on the season, so take that into account.
Another thing you should remember is that Levadas and waterfalls are best after some days of rain. The trail, on the other hand, could become muddy and the tunnels could be quite wet.
What to Bring
Levada do Caldeirao Verde is overall a long walk, so make sure to bring something to eat and water. Other things to bring on your hike are:
- Headlamps for the tunnels
- Waterproof shoes or waterproof hiking boots
- Raincoat or waterproof jacket
- Rain cover for your backpack
- Towel (useful in case you need to cross water barefoot)
On your trip to Madeira Island, the Levada do Caldeirao Verde is bound to be a highlight of your trip with its lush greenery and impressive trail and views. Let us know if you’ve done this Levada and what you think in the comments.
We love hearing about your experience!
Read also:
“Madeira Travel Guide: everything you need to know” for all the information about travelling to Madeira.
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