This is a community route mapped on AllTrails — it is not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority). That means it has no official open/closed status and no guaranteed maintenance or signage, so check access and conditions locally before setting out.

The walk follows a section of the Levada da Serra do Faial, a traditional irrigation channel on Madeira's east coast. It starts from the charming parish of Santo António da Serra (in the municipality of Santa Cruz) and heads towards Faial in the municipality of Machico.

Along the way the scenery shifts between rural farmland — with cultivated terraces and pastures — and stretches of lush forest, where the dense vegetation typical of the island wraps around the levada path. You'll pass through small hamlets and have glimpses of both the north and south coasts, making it a walk that nicely blends Madeira's agricultural heartland with its wilder, greener side.

• As an unofficial trail, there are no IFCN markers or official status updates — wayfinding can be less clear than on the PR routes, so a GPS track (available on the AllTrails page) is recommended.
• The levada path can be narrow and uneven in places; typical Madeira levada precautions apply (sure-footedness, no fear of heights in exposed stretches, walking poles helpful).
• Being a loop, you'll finish back at your starting point in Santo António da Serra.

If you'd prefer a marked, officially maintained trail in the same area, the closest PR trails are:

Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and any IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to walk, or show you a video of the trail to preview the route?