Tell me about the Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova levada walk in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about a specific levada walk: "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova". Let me search for this trail in our hikesdatabase.The user is asking about the "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova" trail. Looking at the results, this trail appears ONLY in the `community_trails` section — it's NOT an official IFCN PR trail. I need to present it with the proper caveat that it's a community/unofficial route.
Let me extract the details from the community trail entry:
- Name: Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova
- Official: No (community route)
- Rating: 4.3★ (163 reviews on AllTrails)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 5.6 km
- Route type: Loop
- Estimated time: 2–2.5 hr
- Area: Madeira Natural Park
- Description: This circular route on the island of Madeira begins in Arco da Calheta and continues towards Levada Nova, one of the most enchanting trails on the island. The path follows the levada (irrigation channel), always surrounded by lush vegetation and offering panoramic views of the valley and the ocean. The hike continues to Sítio do Pinheiro, a tranquil spot where nature dominates the landscape. The return is made via alternative trails, completing a circuit that combines the serenity of the...
- Coordinates: 32.72718, -17.1443
- Directions URL: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.727180,-17.144300
- AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/portugal/madeira--2/arco-da-calheta-sitio-do-pinheiro-via-levada-nova
- Notice: Community route mapped on AllTrails — NOT part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN
No official status (open/closed) is available for this trail since it's not an IFCN-managed PR trail.
Let me also find a video to show.The user is asking about the "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova" levada walk. From the find_hikes results, this trail appears only in the `community_trails` section — it's NOT an official IFCN PR trail. I need to present it with the appropriate caveat, using the data from the community_trails entry.
Key details from the community trail data:
- Name: Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova
- Rating: 4.3★ from 163 reviews on AllTrails
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 5.6 km
- Route type: Loop
- Estimated time: 2–2.5 hr
- Area: Madeira Natural Park
- Location: Starts near Arco da Calheta (lat: 32.72718, lng: -17.1443)
- Description: A circular route that begins in Arco da Calheta and continues towards Levada Nova, following the levada surrounded by lush vegetation with panoramic views of the valley and ocean, continuing to Sítio do Pinheiro before returning via alternative trails.
- It has NO official open/closed status since it's not an IFCN-managed trail.
I should present this clearly, with the unofficial trail caveat, and include a video if possible. The YouTube search failed, so I won't be able to embed a video. Let me compose the answer now.
How this was derived · 2 steps
Trails near CalhetaMap & photos
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
- Caminho Real do Paul do Mar Directions
- Vereda do Jardim do Mar Directions
- Levada da Rocha Vermelha Directions
- Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo Directions
- Levada do Risco Directions
- Levada das 25 Fontes via the Rabaçal Tunnel Directions
- Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova Directions
- Caminho das Fontinhas - Caminho Cova do Arco - Levada Nova Directions
- Rota Circular do Rabaçal via Vereda da Amelinha Directions
- Rota da Levada do Risco via Túnel do Rabaçal Directions
- Estrela - Levada do Alecrim Directions
- Calheta Circular Route Directions
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)
Arco da Calheta – Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova
Community route (mapped on AllTrails) — not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature-conservation authority), so it has no official open/closed status and no maintained signage or guarantees. Check access and conditions locally before setting out.
At a glance
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 5.6 km (loop) |
| Estimated time | 2–2.5 hr |
| Route type | Loop |
| Area | Madeira Natural Park |
| AllTrails rating | 4.3★ from 163 hiker reviews |
| Trailhead | Arco da Calheta |
The walk
This circular route starts in the village of Arco da Calheta and follows the Levada Nova — one of the island's most enchanting irrigation channels. The path stays close to the water, winding through lush vegetation with sweeping panoramic views over the valley and out to the Atlantic Ocean.
The route continues to Sítio do Pinheiro, a tranquil spot where nature still dominates the landscape, before looping back to the start via alternative paths — completing a circuit that combines the serenity of the levada walk with the charm of Madeira's rural hillside terrain.
Getting to the trailhead
- Trailhead location: Arco da Calheta (approx. Directions ↗)
- By car from Funchal: ~40 min drive (west on VE1/VR1, then exit toward Arco da Calheta)
⚠️ Important notes
- Not an official IFCN trail — there are no IFCN signposts, no maintained infrastructure, and no guaranteed rescue/insurance coverage along this route.
- No official open/closed status — conditions can change (landslides, fallen trees, flooding). Check locally or ask at the tourist information office in Calheta before you go.
- No access fee needed — since it's not a SIMplifica-gated trail, there's no charge (but also no official support).
- Wear proper hiking footwear and bring water — the path can be narrow and muddy in places.
Want me to check the mountain weather forecast and any IPMA warnings for the day you plan to go, or help you find the closest official PR trail as a signposted alternative?
OpenMadeira can make mistakes — check the sources.