💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 2 steps
- Boa Morte - Tunnel do Espigão 4.4 Directions
- Boa Morte - Levada do Norte - Cabo Girão 4.4 Directions
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 maintenance or signage guarantee. Check access and conditions locally before setting out.
This linear walk follows a scenic section of the Levada do Norte, crossing the villages of Eira do Mourão and Espigão. The levadas are the island's historic irrigation channels, and this stretch gives you a real taste of that mix — walking alongside the water through terraced farmland and lush hillside, with sweeping views over the south coast. The highlight (and the trail's namesake) is the Tunnel do Espigão, a torch-lit passage bored through the rock — bring a headlamp or phone light.
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 12.7 km |
| Route type | Out and back |
| Estimated time | 4–4.5 hours |
| Area | Madeira Natural Park |
| Community rating | 4.4★ from 145 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
The start point is near Boa Morte, above Serra d'Água on the south side of the island.
The same levada continues further east all the way to Cabo Girão — the Boa Morte – Levada do Norte – Cabo Girão route is a 22.9 km out-and-back (rated hard, ~7–7.5 hours, 4.4★ from 89 reviews on AllTrails). It's the same start point but extends past the tunnel to the dramatic sea cliffs at Cabo Girão.
- Torch needed — the Espigão tunnel is unlit; a headlamp is strongly recommended.
- No official status — being a community-mapped route rather than an IFCN-managed PR trail, there are no official waymarkers or maintenance guarantees. Conditions can change (fallen trees, landslips), so ask locally or check recent hike reports.
- Out and back — you walk to the tunnel/turnaround point and return the same way, so you can shorten it if needed.
Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and any IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go, or work out how to get to the trailhead by bus?