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- Levada do Alecrim Directions
Here's a full rundown of the Levada do Alecrim – Vereda da Lagoa do Vento area in Calheta, Madeira. The name you're asking about actually covers two official IFCN trails that share the Rabaçal area, plus a very popular community loop that combines them:
| Route | Rabaçal (ER 105) → Water spring of Levada do Alecrim (Lagoa Dona Beja) |
| Distance | 3.5 km one way (+ 3.5 km return) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Duration | ~2 h 30 min |
| Altitude | 1,256 m → 1,339 m |
| Managing entity | IFCN |
| Access fee | €4.50 via SIMplifica portal (free for visitors ≤ 12 years) |
This is a gentle, scenic levada walk starting from the Rabaçal refuge area on the Paul da Serra plateau. It follows the Alecrim irrigation channel through lush laurel forest to the small but beautiful Lagoa Dona Beja spring — a peaceful natural pool surrounded by dense vegetation, with small waterfalls along the way. It's one of the quieter levadas in the Rabaçal area, making it feel more secluded than its famous neighbours.
Community rating: 4.6★ from 1,719 hiker reviews on AllTrails (AllTrails ↗)
| Route | Rabaçal (Casa de Abrigo) → Lagoa do Vento |
| Distance | 1.8 km one way (+ 1.8 km return) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Duration | ~1 h 30 min |
| Altitude | 200 m → 1,600 m |
| Managing entity | IFCN |
| Access fee | €4.50 via SIMplifica portal (free for visitors ≤ 12 years) |
A short but rewarding walk from the Casa de Abrigo do Rabaçal down to the stunning Lagoa do Vento — a rain basin fed by water cascading from the escarpment of Ribeira do Lajeado. The lagoon sits in a dramatic natural amphitheatre, and the waterfall pouring into it is one of the most photographed spots in Madeira. The trail is relatively short, making it a perfect add-on to the Levada do Alecrim or Levada do Risco.
Official trail page ↗ · ▶ Directions to trailhead ↗
PR 6.2 – Lagoa do Vento Trail – Alecrim Levada — Community route mapped on AllTrails, not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature authority), so it has no official open/closed status.
| Type | Loop |
| Distance | 6.9 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Estimated time | 2.5–3 h |
| Rating | 4.6★ from 1,719 reviews on AllTrails |
This is the route most hikers mean when they say "Levada do Alecrim – Lagoa do Vento." It starts by following the Levada do Alecrim, then continues along the Vereda da Lagoa do Vento to the spectacular lagoon and waterfall, looping back through lush forest. It's an outstanding walk combining the best of both trails into one manageable circuit.
- Access fee: The Rabaçal area (including all PR 6.x trails) requires a €4.50 payment via the SIMplifica portal (free for children ≤ 12).
- Check the current trail status — open/closed conditions change, especially after storms. Check the latest status before heading out.
- Getting there: All trails start from the Rabaçal area on Estrada Regional 105 (ER 105) on the Paul da Serra plateau, about 30–40 minutes' drive from Calheta village. There's a car park at the Rabaçal leisure area; arrive early as it fills up quickly.
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