Caldeirão Verde: the PR9 guide
Through the Laurisilva forest to a waterfall about 100 metres high, with four tunnels along the way. Take a torch.
In short. The PR9 starts at the Queimadas Forest Park, in Santana, and follows the levada through the Laurisilva forest to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall (at kilometre 6.5) and Caldeirão do Inferno (at 8.7). It’s there and back on the same path; the IFCN and Visit Madeira give 6 hrs 30. You need a booked time slot on SIMplifica, and it costs €4.50.
- to Caldeirão do Inferno, and the same back
- 8.7 km
- time given by the IFCN
- 6 hrs 30
- tunnels before Caldeirão Verde
- 4
- Duration
- 6 hrs 30 on foot (official time)
- Route
- 8.7 km out and 8.7 km back
- Level
- 4 of 5, challenging
- Altitude
- 872 to 1,020 m
- Where
- 48 mins by car from Funchal
- Trail managed by
- IFCN
Top photo: illustrative, not taken at the exact spot.
In this guide: 8 sections
What it is
It’s one of the classic north-coast levadas: it sets off from the Queimadas Forest Park, enters the Laurisilva forest and follows the water to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall, about 100 metres high (110 metres according to the IFCN information board).
From Caldeirão Verde to Caldeirão do Inferno it’s about another 2.2 km, with a steep climb. The PR9 reopened on 29 May 2026, after works.
Before you go: booking and rules
- Booked time slot and fee. Booking on SIMplifica is compulsory, and the fee is €4.50 per person (non-residents over 12).
- Tunnels and vertigo. There are four tunnels before Caldeirão Verde, slippery ground and stretches where vertigo is a risk. The IFCN information board asks you to bring a torch and non-slip footwear.
What it costs
| What | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PR9 fee (non-residents over 12) | €4.50 | Portaria 48/2026 |
| Parking at Queimadas (first 30 mins free) | €2 an hour, max. €10 a day | Portaria 801/2025 |
| Casa das Tradições Madeirenses (house of Madeiran traditions), at Queimadas (from age 13) | €3 | Portaria 801/2025 |
Shall we arrange it all?
We book your time slot, drive you to and from Queimadas and, if you like, add a guide.
Ask for a proposal on WhatsApp
We’ll reply with a proposal and a fixed price, with no obligation.
How to get there
By car, the Queimadas Forest Park is 48 minutes from Funchal (43.7 km). There’s parking, a rest house, toilets and a café.
Santana taxis, as listed on the IFCN information board: +351 291 572 540.
What to bring
- A torch for the tunnels
- Non-slip footwear
- A waterproof and warm layers
- Water and food for the day
What if the weather changes?
It rains far more on the north coast than in Funchal. In heavy rain, the path and the tunnels become dangerous and the IFCN may close the trail: swap it for a levada in the south or change the day.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the Caldeirão Verde levada take?
- The IFCN and Visit Madeira give 6 hrs 30, without saying whether that’s one way or there and back. It’s 6.5 km to Caldeirão Verde and 8.7 km to Caldeirão do Inferno, always coming back the same way.
- Do you need a torch?
- Yes. There are four tunnels before Caldeirão Verde, and the IFCN information board asks you to bring a torch.
- How much does it cost?
- A €4.50 fee per person (non-residents over 12), plus parking at Queimadas: €2 an hour, with the first 30 minutes free and a maximum of €10 a day.
- Is it open?
- It reopened on 29 May 2026, after works. The status of each trail is on the IFCN website, and closed trails don’t appear for booking on SIMplifica.
Sources and review date
The facts on this page were checked against the official sources below on 11 October 2026. Rules, opening times and roads change: always check the latest status of the route before you set off.
- Official PR9 information board (IFCN)
- IFCN: recommended walking trails (status updated on 02/10/2026)
- IFCN: walking trail notices
- Portaria 48/2026 (trail fees)
- Portaria 801/2025 (IFCN fees, parking and entry charges)
- Visit Madeira: PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde
- Madeira Climate Observatory (Observatório do Clima da Madeira): observed climate
Shall we arrange it all? Just tell us the day.
We book your time slot, drive you to and from Queimadas and, if you like, add a guide.
Ask for a proposal on WhatsApp
We’ll reply with a proposal and a fixed price, with no obligation.
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