Exploring PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde in Madeira
My personal favorite Levada in Madeira is the PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde, a beautiful hike in the lush forest and mountains of Madeira. From stunning views to a big waterfall at the end of the trail. This Levada is a must do during your time on Madeira.
Madeira is known for its Levadas and Veradas. Levadas are water irrigation canals that lead from one side of the island to the other side. Along the water canals there is a path that you can follow. Madeira also has a lot of Veradas. This is basically the same without the water irrigation and is a hiking path.
The Levadas and Veradas is what makes Madeira a populair hiking destination. During your time there, you will have so many options on which hike to do. Down below I will tell you more about hiking PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde.
How to get there
When hiking the PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde in Madeira, you need to make sure you get to the right point. So how do you get there?
There are two options. One, you can take a group tour. A bus will pick you up and brings you to the starting point. Two, get a rental car and drive yourself to the PR9 Parking. Here you can park your car for a small charge and take a one-minute-walk to the starting point. When you’re done with the hike, you can pay your ticket at the beginning of the trail.
In my opinion, getting yourself a car is the best option because it gives you the freedom to come and go at your own time.
Do know that the roads to get there are steep and small, so if your aren’t comfortable driving yourself, make sure to go with a tour. They will drop you off at the parking lot and saves you some stress before starting the hike.
Entrance fee
Hiking PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde in Madeira is completely free of charge. You just have to get to the starting point, and from there you can follow the path and see everything this Levada has to offer you.
How to get around
So, now you know all the basics about getting there. But once you are at the starting point of PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde, you will need to figure out where to go.
Lucky for you, PR9 is one of the most famous Leradas in Madeira, and the path is really clear. You just have to follow the road and it will guide you to the waterfall at the endpoint.
The path is pretty small so watch where you go. There is also a chance you pass people going the opposite direction and you need to make room for each other. Always make sure it is safe for everyone because it is really narrow. If you have to, walk a little bit back to a place where there is more space for two people.
Also be aware of some tunnels you need to pass. Make sure you have a flashlight or your mobile for some light with you because in the tunnels it is completely dark. The tunnels are also really low, so make sure to keep your head down. We saw plenty of people walking with some big bumps on their head after hitting it to the rocks in the tunnel.
Extra information
How long does the hike take?
Hiking PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde in Madeira will take about 4 hours. On the way to the end point, it took us a little more than two hours because we made so many stops to take pictures along the way. Every point offers a new but spectacular view. And of course we took a quick break to get something to drink something and get some energie to reach the final point.
On the way back we did it way quicker. Within one hour and twenty minutes we were back at the parking space. But this was a high speed walk back without any breaks.
If you are a fast hiker and don’t take to many pictures I think it is possible to do this hike in three hours. So try to find what pace suits you the best.
Breaks & toilet
During the hike there are no options to go to the toilet. The only option is the toilet at the parking lot. So make sure you went before the hike.
Breaks can be taken anywhere. However, there are no benches to sit on. If you need a break, make sure to find a safe spot and take a breather there. Once you reach the waterfall, you can also take a break there before you make your way back.
What to bring to Levada do Caldeirão Verde?
So when you decide to go on this wonderful hike I recommend to bring the following stuff:
- Enough water
- (Energie) snacks
- Layers of clothes -> (rain)jacket/ sweater/ etc.
- Hiking shoes or good shoes you can hike on
- Camera
- Flashlight (or your phone)
Best time to visit
Madeira is an island with many different types of weather. At some points of the Island the sky will be clear and the sun is shining. But at other places, like PR9, you are high in the clouds and it’s a humid climate.
Make sure to bring a rain jacket because of the damp air and because you’ll pass some small waterfalls. You have to walk underneath them so a rain jacket will keep you dry.
However, this hike can be done all year round. And you know why? Because the weather on Madeira is lovely all year round. Of course, there is a chance you get struck in the rain, but 5 minutes later the sky is clear again and you almost don’t believe that the rain fell before.
Photo inspiration – PR9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde
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