Levadas e veredas, um modo de conhecer a Madeira, para todo o viandante que aprecia o repouso e o contacto directo com a natureza, frequentemente quase intocada desde os primórdios do povoamento.

This walk is located in the western area of Madeira Island, linking the parish of Prazeres with Paúl do Mar, dropping from an elevation of 550 metres to the sea shore.

In the parish of Prazeres, take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Learning Farm with its various animais, and the Casa de Chá (Tea House), where you can savour infusions of aromatic and medicinal herbs and purchase traditional sweets made with organically-grown fruit.

The descent is made along the face of the cliff between Assomadouro at Prazeres and the dock at Paúl, winding between terraced farm plots, held in place by stone walls, formerly used for growing grain crops, but with decline of agriculture today, they are largely abandoned. Assomadouro is the name given to the place from which something interesting can be seen, being a synonym for miradouro (belvedere). In fact, the view from here is superb, with beautiful panoramic views to the left (the tiny parish of Jardim do Mar) and to the right (Paúl do Mar) that are truly dazzling.

Designated as a “municipal path”, it is an example of the difficult access routes that were traversed many times with heavy loads on the back, but which were the only alternative to the access by sea, which was too expensive for many and impossible when the sea was raging.
This trail is a genuine historical heritage, winding along the steep slope in a zig-zag pattern, its stone pavement in small stair steps bearing witness to the isolation of past generations and to the ingenious and difficult trails built by the people to overcome this isolation.

Waterfalls and endemic flora exclusive to these elevations, such as pride of Madeira (Echium nervosum) and Madeira mountain stock (Euphorbia piscatoria), help make this trail a true discovery trip.

When you reach Paúl do Mar, be sure you explore this small parish on the seashore and wonder at the high cliffs that surround it. At one time, it was an important fishing village, and due to the great abundance of fish, in 1912 a canning factory was set up here to export tuna.
Today, you can still see remnants of the chimney of that factory, as well as the salt pools, the sugar cane mill and the small fishing port with its typical fishing boats that keep the maritime traditions alive.

Beginning at the regional highway E.R. 110 on the way up to Paúl da Serra from Encumeada, this trail leads to the areas of Bica da Cana, Casa do Caramujo and Folhadal, coming to an end at regional highway E.R. 228 at the Encumeada junction.

This path follows the levadas of Serra and Norte, between the elevations of 1000 and 1600 metres, crossing an excellent area of native high-altitude vegetation, as well as the native Laurisilva forest, an area that is part of the Natura 2000 Network.

Along the way, you will encounter magnificent views of the São Vicente Valley, as well as examples of the island’s architecture and heritage, as is the case of a “municipal path” – a section of a public pathway used by the islanders in travelling between the north and south sides of the island – paved with stone; the levadas and tunnels carved out of the rock that were built to carry the water from the north to the south side of the island.

The route runs along the levada, although in some places you leave it to follow the stone pathway. When you reach the top of the footpath at Pináculo, you will have a view of the magnificent landscape of the Ribeira Brava Valley in the background and the Central Mountain Range, where the island’s two highest peaks stand out, Pico do Areeiro (1817m) and Pico Ruivo (1861m).

Surround this levada is a vegetation rich in small endemic plants which are at the height of their beauty in the spring months: Madeiran orchids (Dactylorhiza foliosa), Canary buttercups (Ranunculus cortusifolius), easily recognised by their bright yellow flowers, Mandon´s chrysanthemum (Argyranthemum pinnatifidum), and geraniums (Geranium palmatum).

You will reach a point where the levada you have followed from the start divides into two branches. Follow the walkway at the side of the Levada do Norte, which is used to power the hydroelectric generating plant at Serra d´Água.

Cascades and tunnels are found all along this route and when you come out of the last tunnel, you reach Folhadal, a name referring to the abundance of Lily-of-the-valley trees (Port., folhados) (Clethra arborea) found here.

At Encumeada you can take PR 1.3 – Encumeada Footpath, which leads to Pico Ruivo.

This route links the settlement of Ribeira da Janela and the forested area above it, running at elevations between 820 and 400 metres. It begins at regional highway 209, in the area of Curral Falso, and ends at the same highway in the settlement of Ribeira da Janela.

This path follows the remnants of an old footpath used by the inhabitants to bring wood from the forest, which was essential for their daily lives. It was also the path used by the inhabitants to connect them with settlements on the south side of the island, mainly Calheta and Ponta do Sol. Robust young men climbed the mountain slopes, their backs laden with barrels or goatskins filled with wine to be sold and/or traded for other goods.

At Ribeira da Janela you can come in contact with this traditional and unique agricultural area with its typical terraced farm plots, held in place by laboriously built stone walls, where sweet potatoes, potatoes, beans, maize and the indispensable vineyards of Ribeira da Janela are cultivated.

The houses are scattered among the terraces, from the mouth of the stream to an elevation of 400 metres, with the church located halfway up the slope. The settlement’s name, Ribeira da Janela, comes from the name of Madeira´s longest waterway, which runs about 15.7 km.

This is a good location for seeing the Madeira long-toed pigeon (Columba trocaz), an endemic bird exclusive to Madeira. During the migratory seasons, some migrating bird species may be seen in the mouth of Ribeira da Janela as they pass through: the little egret (Egretta garzetta), the purple heron (Ardea purpurea), and mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

This trail connects with PR 14 –Cedros Levada and PR 13 – Fanal Footpath, both of which lead to the area of Fanal.