Levada do Caldeirão Verde

This out-and-back hike follows one of Madeira's most beautiful levadas.
Dotted with trees lying over the canal and tunnels, it leads you to the "Green Cauldron", a small cirque with a beautiful waterfall around 100 metres high.

The passages through the tunnels, lit by headlamps, will liven up the walk with children.
However, be careful with the youngest or the most restless, as some passages are narrow and vertiginous.

Difference in altitude of less than 100 metres, do not take into account the data in the technical data sheet.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,863 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,856 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,105 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 879 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Santana, take the road leading to Parque das Queimadas, where there is a pay car park.

(S/E) From the car park, go to the refuge/shop located above the car park.
Cross the landscaped esplanade towards the Levada do Caldeirão Verde on the right.
The path runs alongside a small canal that you will follow for the rest of the walk...
The path soon narrows and you make your way along a small path beside the canal through the laurel. Sometimes you walk over a low wall secured by a handrail.
Reach a footbridge at the bottom of a valley.

(1) Cross the footbridge and continue along the other side of the valley. The path is sometimes dotted with steps and, in the next talweg, reach a small waterfall.

(2) Walk past it and continue along the other side of the valley. After a few hundred metres, reach the entrance to the first tunnel.

(3) Take out your headlamps and start through the first tunnel, which is fairly short.
Follow this with a second tunnel (the longest of the 4 tunnels), then a third tunnel, quickly. Older children should be careful not to hit their heads.
Continue along the canal, in slightly clearer conditions at times, and reach a4th tunnel.

(4) Cross this mini-tunnel and continue to follow the canal. Some passages become increasingly narrow with the cliff on the side. The crossings are tricky and those prone to vertigo may find it difficult to progress.
After a wide bend to the left, in a narrow area, come to a sign indicating Caldeirão Verde 100 m away.

Fork off along a path on the left, which diverges from the canal and climbs a stream on the right bank.
At the end of the path, in the heart of Caldeirão Verde, you come to the foot of a beautiful, high waterfall that flows into a small lake.

(6) Don't wait too long, as there is a risk of rockfalls, and start the return journey along the same route as the outward journey.

(5) On returning to the levada, you can continue to the left as far as Caldeirão do Inferno (approx. 5 km round trip).

To get back to the starting point, start the return journey along the canal on the right, taking care to avoid narrow passages where crossing will be tricky. Pass through the 4 tunnels, then continue to the refuge and car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 887 m - Parque das Queimadas
  2. 1 : km 1.58 - alt. 946 m - Gateway
  3. 2 : km 2.99 - alt. 962 m - Small waterfall
  4. 3 : km 3.9 - alt. 895 m - Tunnel 1 (of 4)
  5. 4 : km 5.04 - alt. 1,024 m - Tunnel 4 (of 4)
  6. 5 : km 5.82 - alt. 1,028 m - Caldeirão verde 100 m" sign
  7. 6 : km 5.96 - alt. 1,104 m - Caldeirão Verde
  8. S/E : km 11.92 - alt. 887 m - Parque das Queimadas

Notes

The Levada has no difficulties apart from some narrow, vertiginous (but safe) passages.

Crossing 4 tunnels where headlamps are essential, as well as waterproof footwear because of the damp.

Beware of the crowds, prefer the early hours of the day to be in the right direction and avoid difficult crossings in the narrowest sections at the end of the route.

There is a shop and café in the refuge above the car park.

Difference in altitude of less than 100 metres, do not take into account the data in the data sheet. Allow around 5 hours for the return journey.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
ducastelcb
ducastelcb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, no difficulty. Paid parking (€2 per hour). You must arrive before 8:30 a.m. Spaces are limited. Paid toilets on site.
Very busy. Expect to encounter many people on the way back.

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benjamin.ghedini
benjamin.ghedini

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Absolutely splendid, the arrival point is surely the most beautiful place on earth that Janie has ever seen.

The route is very busy in summer from 10 a.m. onwards. I left at 7.30 a.m. and arrived at 9.30 a.m. We saw two people on the way there and 610 on the way back.

Very easy to follow.

Be careful, there are tunnels with mud. You have to duck down at times. You absolutely must have a light

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PLOSSOIS
PLOSSOIS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike to do early in June, as it is very popular and parking can be difficult if you arrive late. The flora is lush and the change of scenery is guaranteed. The tunnels can be problematic if some hikers behave inconsiderately. Bring a hand-held torch rather than a head torch for the tunnels, as it is more flexible to use. High-top shoes, preferably waterproof, are recommended, as the water level in the tunnels can reach several centimetres.

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marieflobeaufort
marieflobeaufort

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, shaded hike through lush forest, along typical levadas. The route is easy, with no particular technical difficulties, and offers superb waterfalls along the way. Be careful, though: in some places, the path is narrow, making it tricky to pass other hikers. There are also a few vertiginous sections, which are not recommended for those prone to vertigo, despite the presence of cables to hold on to.

We started the hike in the rain, with few other people around. But on the way back, in the sunshine, the trail was much busier and the car park was completely full. It is therefore highly recommended to set off early in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet and better conditions.

The hike took less than 3 hours.
➡️ Parking is paid (not cheap) as is access to the trail: £3 per person (bring change for the car park).

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PierrickBZH
PierrickBZH

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk, no difficulties
Can be done in 4 hours without too much effort, but a word of advice to make the most of it: be there by 8.30am at the latest.

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metallic
metallic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking too busy.
Nice view.
No difficulty

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Tigrou 69
Tigrou 69

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

At this time of year, the circuit is not very busy, so it's very pleasant despite the catastrophic weather. However, the circuit stopped after the 1st tunnel. The rest of the route was too dangerous and closed, so it was a big disappointment. Be sure to check with the project house before setting off.

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Ang76
Ang76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk with a beautiful waterfall at the end. However, some sections are very narrow, and you sometimes walk over a low wall 20cm high with the precipice on your side "secured" by a metal cable. It's sometimes difficult to pass each other, especially as it's very busy. The route is well worth the effort, provided you're not afraid of heights or heights. I do not recommend it for children or people who are not very agile or are afraid of heights. Not much difference in altitude. The return journey takes 4? hours, taking time to admire the scenery and take photos.

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Belisaire
Belisaire

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's easy to get to the car park (Waze and Google map) - pay parking (approx. €1 per hour) - then it's sporty and very busy! Be cool and patient, you're not here for a sporting performance! - vous progresserez en langue entre les Merci - Danke et thank you ( you're welcome) Obrogado/obrigada 😜
Otherwise great photos to take and breathtaking vegetation! Bonne ballade (sportive tout de même) 3h00 aller / retour

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LucilleVlt
LucilleVlt

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

This hike was done in rainy weather, so it took us 4 hours to get there and back, not the 8 hours indicated (so don't trust the visorando information). There is a pay car park (cash only) at the start of the hike. We started at around 10am, and passed a few people on the way out. But then on the way back, it wasn't the same, with buses and buses of people constantly passing by, which completely takes away from the relaxing/nature aspect of the walk.
This levada is very pretty overall, and the waterfall at the finish is very beautiful, but you have to expect to meet a lot of people...

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paten33
paten33
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike on 06/06/24. Quite a lot of people but everything went well. However, don't take into account the description, which says it takes 8:05. We did it in 4:00 and the difference in altitude is slightly more than stated. The last tunnel is very low, so watch your head. The car park is not free; we paid €2.40 (cash only) for just over 4 hours. So I recommend this hike!

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faustinebrun
faustinebrun

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A round trip, we got there before 8am, we passed almost nobody on the way out (except at the end), but on the way back we passed a lot of people and the path is really small for passing people ...
But the waterfall at the finish is worth the effort.

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RANDOMAN
RANDOMAN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

hello ,
hike on Sunday 19/05/24
très beau parcours à faire absolument
DENIVELATION closer to 400m (which is still very accessible) than the 100M advertised
stairs/tunnels/narrow passages ..... as well as advertised
bring headlamps or pocket torches and hiking boots
rené and Cathy

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jpcvisiorando
jpcvisiorando
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful walk in this levada
The route is very easy to follow and relatively straightforward. The ground is slippery, so bring walking shoes (short ones are more than adequate). The elevation profile is wrong. The walk should cover about 350 metres of ascent (it's a slight climb).

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Lerocher
Lerocher

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, not too strenuous. We arrived at around 9.30am, before the rush, and made good progress without passing anyone. The first section was fairly wide before we found a narrower route for the rest of the hike,
beautiful waterfalls. The approach to the last waterfall is "normally closed", but like most of you, we defied the ban.
When we left the waterfall, the access to the left on the continuation of the Levada was closed.

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