💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 3 steps
- Levada do Furado Directions
- Vereda dos Balcões Directions
There isn't an official Madeira PR (recommended) trail called "Ribeira Seca – Ribeiro Frio." However, two walks come close to what you might be looking for — one is the famous levada from Ribeiro Frio, and the other is a community route through Ribeira Seca:
This is the classic levada walk starting at Ribeiro Frio — the most likely trail you're after.
| Start | ER 303 (Ribeiro Frio) |
| End | ER 102 (Portela) |
| Distance | 11 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Duration | ~5 hours |
| Altitude | 880 m → 645 m (mostly downhill) |
| Managed by | IFCN |
| Access fee | €4.50 (via SIMplifica portal; free ≤ 12 years) |
The route follows the Levada do Furado through lush laurel forest (Laurissilva), with sweeping views over the valleys of the north coast. It's a one-way walk, so you'll need transport arrangements at the Portela end. The trailhead is just off the ER 103 road at Ribeiro Frio, a well-known landmark with a small Forestry House.
VisitMadeira page ↗ · Directions to trailhead ↗
Photos from walkmeguide.com
A much shorter, easy option also starting at Ribeiro Frio:
- 1.5 km (+ 1.5 km return) · Easy · ~1 h 30 min · leads to the Balcões viewpoint over the Ribeira do Faial valley
- Same €4.50 access fee (SIMplifica)
VisitMadeira page ↗ · Directions ↗
If you specifically had Ribeira Seca in mind, there's a community-mapped (AllTrails) route from Ribeira Seca to the Boca do Risco viewpoint — not an official IFCN PR trail, so it has no official open/closed status and no maintained signage.
- 4.8 km out and back · Moderate · ~2–2.5 hr · 4.3★ from 55 reviews on AllTrails ↗
- The route leads to Boca do Risco, a spectacular cliff-edge viewpoint overlooking the Atlantic, passing through vegetation that blends lush green hillsides with sea views. Some sections require attention and balance.
- Directions to trailhead ↗
⚠️ Before you go — check the current trail status on openmadeira.org, as conditions (especially after storms) can change. PR 10 and PR 11 require an access fee via the SIMplifica portal.
Would you like me to check the weather forecast and IPMA warnings for Ribeiro Frio before you plan your hike?





