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How this was derived · 3 steps
- Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã 4.8 Directions
- Vereda do Pico do Castelo 4.6 Directions
- Levada do Pico Castelo 4.4 Directions
The "Porto dos Frades – Calhau da Serra de Dentro" route you're asking about isn't in the official IFCN trail register (Madeira's PR network), nor does it appear as a mapped community route on AllTrails under that exact name. However, there is a well-known community route starting from Porto dos Frades on Porto Santo that closely matches what you're looking for:
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 going.
| Island | Porto Santo |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Distance | 5.3 km (out & back) |
| Estimated time | 1.5–2 hours |
| Rating | 4.5★ from 17 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
| Trailhead | Porto dos Frades (NE coast of Porto Santo) |
| Route type | Out & back |
What it's like: The walk starts in the tiny coastal settlement of Porto dos Frades and heads north to the enchanting Fenda da Dona Beja — a narrow canyon with dramatic access to coastal views. You return along the same track and continue south, where you pass through a small tunnel (no torch required) to a beautiful viewpoint over Ponta do Passo, before retracing your steps back to Porto dos Frades.
Calhau da Serra de Dentro is a small settlement very near Porto dos Frades on Porto Santo's northeastern coast, so the route you're asking about likely refers to this same coastal area or a local variation/extension of it.
The three official IFCN PR trails on Porto Santo are also close by:
| Trail | PR Code | Distance | Difficulty | AllTrails |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã | PR 1 | 2.7 km (+ 2.7 km return) | Moderate | 4.8★ (118 reviews) |
| Vereda do Pico do Castelo | PR 2 | 3.2 km / 4.6 km | Easy | 4.6★ (43 reviews) |
| Levada do Pico Castelo | PR 3 | 4.1 km | Moderate | 4.4★ (8 reviews) |
All three require a €4.50 access fee (free for visitors ≤ 12 years), payable via the SIMplifica portal.
⚠️ Since the Porto dos Frades route is unofficial, there are no trail markers, maintenance guarantees, or official status updates. Check conditions locally before heading out, and consider pairing it with one of the official PR trails for a full Porto Santo hiking day.
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