PR10 - Levada do Furado, Madeira: The Best Levada Hike Accessible by Bus
Levada do Furado (PR10) is one of the most exciting levada trails on Madeira, featuring several short, picturesque tunnels and small waterfalls. It connects two scenic locations, both of which are worth visiting and are also linked to Funchal by public transportation. This makes it a great option for those who rely on the bus to explore the island. If you’re looking for more hiking recommendations, check out our Madeira eBook to help you plan the perfect trip!
Is Levada do Furado (PR10) Suitable for Children?
Levada do Furado can be a great option for hiking with children, especially if you start from Ribeiro Frio. The trail is initially wide and allows for a flexible hike—you can turn back whenever you prefer. If you plan to complete the entire trail, be aware that there are a few exposed sections, but they are always secured with handrails. As long as your children are accustomed to hiking and staying on the path, these areas shouldn’t pose a problem.
Additionally, the Ribeiro Frio area offers several interesting short hikes, making it a great starting point for exploring with kids.
How to get to Levada do Furado (PR10)
Whether you start the Levada do Furado hike from Portela Viewpoint or Ribeiro Frio, both locations are accessible by bus from Funchal, making this trail a great option for those relying on public transportation to explore the island.
Bus connections:
To Portela Viewpoint: Bus SAM number 53 connects Portela with Funchal.
To Ribeiro Frio: Bus line 103 from Funchal reaches Ribeiro Frio in about 25 minutes.
Other routes: Ribeiro Frio is also accessible by bus from Santana and Faial via line 138.
At both trailheads, taxis are available, allowing you to conveniently return to your starting point by car if needed. However, parking is limited in both locations, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid wasting time searching for a spot.
Levada do Furado (PR10) Trail Description
Check the official website to see if this trail is currently open and safe to hike.
🥾 Easy/Moderate
⛰️ Total Distance: 11KM (point to point)
📈 Incline: 300M
⏱️ Total Duration: 3-4 hours
🎟️ Paid €3 - To pay online visit official SIMplifica website
Levada do Furado is a point-to-point trail connecting Portela and Ribeiro Frio, and it can be walked in either direction. Ribeiro Frio is a popular hiking hub and a frequent stop for tourists, making it a busy place with limited parking. To avoid the crowds, we started the hike from Portela Viewpoint, which overlooks Porto da Cruz, offering one of the most stunning viewpoints on Madeira.
There is a small parking area for about 10 cars at Portela. When we arrived around 11 a.m., it was completely empty, making for a peaceful and convenient start. If you choose to begin from Portela, be prepared for some incline during the first 3 kilometers before the trail levels out. However, the ascent is gentle—around 300 meters of elevation gain over a 3-kilometer stretch—making it quite manageable.
Trail Conditions
The Levada do Furado trail consists of a mix of dirt and paved paths, but it is often wet and muddy, with occasional puddles. The trail is well-marked, making it easy to follow with no risk of getting lost. However, having an online map can be helpful for tracking progress and checking key points along the route. We used the official Madeira hiking app, WalkMe, which provided reliable guidance throughout the hike. For most of the hike, the trail is shaded and offers occasional glimpses of Porto da Cruz, with Pena d’Águia towering over the town. As you continue, you’ll also get views of Madeira’s highest peaks, including Pico do Arieiro. Keep following signs for Ribeiro Frio or Lamaceiros, which is a small recreational area with benches and tables, perfect for a break at around 2.5 km.
From Lamaceiros, follow the stairs up alongside the levada. The incline here is minimal. Soon, you’ll pass a picturesque old stone water tower—a great photo spot. From this point onward, the levada becomes completely flat.
Most Scenic Section
Around the 3 km mark, the most scenic part of the hike begins. Here, you’ll pass through several short and picturesque tunnels, adding a sense of adventure. At 4 km, you’ll reach a taller tunnel—be sure to turn inside and not continuing along the same road.
By this point, you’ll notice how lush and green the levada is, with rock-cut tunnels and wide walking paths—unlike many other levadas on Madeira, which tend to be much narrower.
At 5 km, you’ll pass a small waterfall. While not particularly strong, it adds to the charm of the hike. Along the way, you’ll find various unique features, like a staircase beside a large rock, which you’ll reach just before 7 km—a perfect photo spot.
After passing a gorge with a small waterfall and pond, you’ll come across a fork in the trail at 8 km. A trail-running sign points upward, but do not follow this path—instead, continue straight along the same levada path.
From here, the scenery becomes more forested, which some hikers might find monotonous, while others will appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. Many couples were enjoying this section when we passed through. At 9.5 km, you’ll reach another waterfall cascading down to the trail—a beautiful highlight before reaching Ribeiro Frio.
Ending the Hike at Ribeiro Frio
After 11 km, you’ll arrive at Ribeiro Frio, where you’ll find restaurants—perfect for a snack or coffee before heading back. If you want to extend your hike, consider PR11 Vereda dos Balcões, a short trail leading to a stunning balcony viewpoint overlooking a lush green valley.
From Ribeiro Frio, you have several options to return:
• Take a taxi back to Portela, where you started.
• Catch a bus to Funchal.
• Walk back via Levada do Furado—which is what we originally planned, but instead, we tried an alternative loop around Ribeiro Frio that reconnected with Levada do Furado at 8 km. While it was a good workout, it wasn’t really worth the effort, and if I were to do it again, I’d simply walk back along Levada do Furado.
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Madeira is such an amazing place to visit, and we still can't believe we've been able to call it home for the past two years. During our stay, we explored all the best spots on the island and tried all the most exciting activities, many of them more than once! This helped us create these comprehensive guides that will help you plan your own trip to Madeira.
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