💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 3 steps
- Vereda das Funduras 3.9 Directions
- Levada do Barreiro 4.6 Directions
- Levada do Furado Directions
- Vereda dos Balcões Directions
- Vereda do Burro 4.6 Directions
- Santa Cruz Stream Route 4.4 Directions
- Rota da Levada da Referta 4.3 Directions
- Levada do Moinho da Serra - Levada Nova - Ribeira da Santa Cruz 4.1 Directions
- Santo António da Serra Loop Trail 4.1 Directions
- Santo António da Serra - Levada da Serra do Faial 3.7 Directions
- Santo António da Serra - Porto da Cruz - Faial 4.1 Directions
- Levada do Caniçal - Boca do Risco - Miradouro do Paraíso 4.5 Directions
The popular walk between Camacha and Santo António da Serra follows the Levada da Serra do Faial — a historic irrigation channel that winds through the lush eastern highlands of Madeira, passing between these two villages.
This route is not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature authority), so it has no official open/closed status and no guaranteed maintenance or signage. Check access and conditions locally before going.
The AllTrails community lists several segments of this levada system in the area. The best match for the Camacha → Santo António da Serra stretch is:
| Name | Santo António da Serra – Levada da Serra do Faial |
| Distance | ~11.3 km (loop) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time | 3.5–4 hours |
| Rating | 3.7★ from 62 hiker reviews on AllTrails ↗ |
What it's like: This pedestrian path runs along a section of the Levada da Serra do Faial, starting in Santo António da Serra (parish of Santa Cruz). The levada connects the rural surroundings — where dense forest predominates — with glimpses of daily life on the outskirts of the east-coast municipalities. You'll walk through lush Laurisilva vegetation, alongside the water channel, with views over valleys and small waterfalls.
Nearby longer/western segments of the same levada system include:
- Levada da Serra do Faial (full route) — 18 km, hard, 4.4★ (AllTrails ↗)
- Serra do Faial Levada Trail (West) — 11.7 km, moderate, 4.2★ (AllTrails ↗)
The closest official trail in the Camacha area is PR 29 – Levada dos Tornos, which follows another important water channel starting right in Camacha village:
- Route: Camacha centre along the Levada dos Tornos
- Distance: 13 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 4–5 hours
- Tunnel: ~400 m (bring a headlamp!)
- Status: Currently partially open — check the current status before going
- Access fee: Required (via SIMplifica) — €4.50 for visitors > 12 years
- Community rating: 4.1★ from 36 reviews on AllTrails ↗
This one starts next to the Igreja Matriz da Camacha and runs through flat terrain along the levada, with mini waterfalls in the rainy season (non-slip footwear recommended).
Directions to PR 29 trailhead ↗
- 🥾 Footwear: The levada path can be wet and slippery, especially after rain — wear non-slip hiking shoes
- 🔦 Headlamp: If you're doing the full Levada dos Tornos (PR 29), there's a ~400 m tunnel
- 🌧️ After heavy rain: Do not attempt levada walks — the channel can overflow onto the path
- 🚗 Getting there: Camacha is about 20 min by car from Funchal; Santo António da Serra is nearby
Want me to check the current weather and IPMA mountain warnings for the area, or help you plan bus transport to the trailhead?





