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Tell me about the Queimadas - Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Pico Ruivo - Pico das Pedras levada walk in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about a specific levada walk in Madeira: "Queimadas - Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Pico Ruivo - Pico das Pedras". Let me search for this trail in our hikes database. This sounds like it could be PR 9 - Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which starts at Queimadas and goes to Caldeirão Verde. But the full name mentions Pico Ruivo and Pico das Pedras too, which might be a different or extended route. Let me search for this trail using find_hikes.The user asked about "Queimadas - Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Pico Ruivo - Pico das Pedras" which is essentially a combined route that spans multiple official PR trails. Let me analyze what I found: 1. The official PR trails in the area: - **PR 9.1** - Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Um Caminho para todos (Queimadas – Pico das Pedras, 1.9 km, accessible trail) - **PR 9** - Levada do Caldeirão Verde (Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde – Caldeirão do Inferno, 8.7 km + 8.7 km return, Moderate, 6:30h, max 1020m) - **PR 1.1** - Vereda da Ilha (Pico Ruivo – Ilha, 8.2 km, Moderate, 3h) - **PR 1.3** - Vereda da Encumeada (Pico Ruivo – Encumeada, 11.2 km, Moderate, 5h) 2. In the community trails, there's a match: - **Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Vereda do Pico Ruivo** (AllTrails community route, 18.2 km, hard, 9-10h, 4.8★ from 86 reviews) - This is exactly the combined route the user is asking about! The user's query "Queimadas - Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Pico Ruivo - Pico das Pedras" describes a route that: - Starts at Queimadas - Follows the Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR 9) - Goes up to Pico Ruivo (via PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo) - Ends at Pico das Pedras This is the community trail "Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Vereda do Pico Ruivo" found in the AllTrails data. It's not a single official PR trail but a combination of PR 9 + PR 1.2. Let me also check the status. The official PR 9 status appears empty (no specific status listed), and PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo isn't separately listed in the results. Let me also look at PR 9.1 which is the accessible version. Actually, I should search specifically for PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo to get its status. Wait, let me re-examine the results. I asked for the combined route by name. The results include: - Official PR 9 and PR 9.1 (both near Queimadas) - Community trail "Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Vereda do Pico Ruivo" which exactly matches the user's query I should also find PR 1.2 (Vereda do Pico Ruivo) since it's a key part of this combined route. Let me search for it. Actually, I also notice that the status fields for PR 9 and PR 9.1 are empty strings - they don't have a status listed. Let me check if there's an issue. The note says "Do NOT state any open/closed/restricted status" but actually in the regular find_hikes flow, I should state the status. The empty string might mean the status is not currently listed. Let me search specifically for PR 1.2 to complete the picture. Let me search for PR 1.2 specifically and also check the current status of thesetrails.Now I have comprehensive data. The user is asking about a combined route that goes from Queimadas through the Levada do Caldeirão Verde to Pico Ruivo and then to Pico das Pedras. This is actually a community (unofficial) combined route found on AllTrails called "Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Vereda do Pico Ruivo" — it's not a single official PR trail but combines sections of PR 9 and PR 1.2. Let me compile the key official trail segments and then the community route: **Official PR trails that make up this route:** 1. **PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde**: Queimadas → Caldeirão Verde → Caldeirão do Inferno. Distance: 8.7 km (+ 8.7 km return). Difficulty: Moderate. Duration: 6h30. Start: Queimadas Forest Park. Max altitude: 1,020 m, Min: 872 m. Access fee: €4.50 (>12 years). 4.6★ from 4,723 reviews on AllTrails. 2. **PR 9.1 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Um Caminho para todos**: Queimadas → Pico das Pedras. Distance: 1.9 km. Access fee: €4.50. 3. **PR 1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo**: Achada do Teixeira → Pico Ruivo. Distance: 2.8 km (+2.8 km return). Difficulty: Moderate. Duration: 1h30. Max altitude: 1,857 m, Min: 1,852 m. Access fee: €4.50. **The community route that matches the user's query:** "Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Vereda do Pico Ruivo" on AllTrails: 18.2 km, out and back, hard, 9–10 hr, 4.8★ from 86 reviews. And "Pico das Pedras - Pico Ruivo" on AllTrails: 9.0 km, out and back, hard, 4.5–5 hr, 4.5★ from 94 reviews. The route the user describes — "Queimadas - Levada do Caldeirão Verde - Pico Ruivo - Pico das Pedras" — is essentially the combined community route that starts at Queimadas, follows the Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR 9), then branches to climb Pico Ruivo (PR 1.2), and then descends to Pico das Pedras. This is not an official PR trail but a popular community-combined route. Let me provide a comprehensive answer covering: 1. The official component trails (PR 9, PR 9.1, PR 1.2) 2. The community combined route (AllTrails) 3. What to expect, difficulty, access fees, etc. I should note this is a community-combined route, not an official single PR trail, and I need to be upfront about that.
How this was derived · 2 steps
Trails near QueimadasMap & photos
6 photos
Vereda do UrzalVereda do UrzalVereda do UrzalVereda do UrzalVereda do UrzalVereda do Urzal
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)

The route you're asking about — Queimadas → Levada do Caldeirão Verde → Pico Ruivo → Pico das Pedras — is a popular combined route that stitches together sections of two official PR trails (PR 9 and PR 1.2). It's not itself a single official trail, but a community-mapped combination on AllTrails rated 4.8★ from 86 hiker reviews. Here's how it breaks down:


The combined route (community)

"Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Vereda do Pico Ruivo" | AllTrails route page ↗

  • Distance: 18.2 km (out and back)
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Estimated time: 9–10 hours
  • Route type: Out and back
  • Rating: 4.8★ (86 reviews)

This route joins a section of PR 9 (the Levada do Caldeirão Verde) with PR 1.2 (the Vereda do Pico Ruivo). Starting at Queimadas, you follow the levada deep into the laurel forest, then climb steeply to Madeira's highest peak, Pico Ruivo (1,862 m). The large elevation gain makes it one of the most demanding walks on the island — it demands excellent physical fitness. Madeira's mountain weather can change rapidly, so go prepared.

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. Check current conditions locally before setting out.

Directions to trailhead ↗


The official PR trail segments it uses
PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde ⭐ 4.6★ (4,723 reviews)
  • Route: Queimadas Forest Park → Caldeirão Verde → Caldeirão do Inferno
  • Distance: 8.7 km (+ 8.7 km return)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Duration: ~6h30
  • Altitude: 872 m – 1,020 m
  • Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years) via SIMplifica; parking €2.00/hour
  • Highlights: Tunnels carved through rock, lush laurel forest (Laurissilva), the spectacular Caldeirão Verde waterfall
  • Official page (VisitMadeira) ↗ · AllTrails ↗ · Directions ↗
PR 1.2 – Vereda do Pico Ruivo
  • Route: Achada do Teixeira → Pico Ruivo
  • Distance: 2.8 km (+ 2.8 km return)
  • Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep at altitude)
  • Duration: ~1h30
  • Altitude: 1,852 m – 1,857 m (Madeira's highest point!)
  • Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years) via SIMplifica
  • Highlights: 360° panoramic summit views; the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo shelter
  • Official page (VisitMadeira) ↗ · Directions ↗
PR 9.1 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde (Um Caminho para Todos)
  • Route: Queimadas → Pico das Pedras
  • Distance: 1.9 km
  • Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years); parking €2.00/hour
  • A short, accessible path through the Queimadas park — this is the stretch that connects to Pico das Pedras at the lower end.
  • Official page ↗ · Directions ↗

Also on AllTrails: Pico das Pedras → Pico Ruivo

If you're specifically interested in the Pico das Pedras to Pico Ruivo section (the upper part of the combined route), AllTrails has it as a separate listing:

  • Distance: 9.0 km (out and back)
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Estimated time: 4.5–5 hr
  • Rating: 4.5★ (94 reviews)
  • Starts at Pico das Pedras with spectacular panoramic views, passes the Achada do Teixeira shelter and the "Homem em Pé" basalt formation
  • AllTrails ↗ · Directions ↗

This is also a community route (not an official IFCN PR trail) and has no official open/closed status.


Key things to know
Full combined routePR 9 (Caldeirão Verde)PR 1.2 (Pico Ruivo)
Distance18.2 km8.7 km + 8.7 km return2.8 km + 2.8 km return
DifficultyHardModerateModerate
Time9–10 hr~6h30~1h30
Altitude range~872 m → 1,862 m872–1,020 m1,852–1,857 m
Access fee€4.50 (SIMplifica)€4.50 (+ €2/hr parking)€4.50
  • The combined route is seriously demanding — you're going from levada-level (~870 m) to Madeira's summit at 1,862 m. Bring adequate fitness, water, wind/rain layers, and a head torch for the levada tunnels.
  • Weather changes fast at altitude: check the mountain forecast and IPMA warnings before you go.
  • The SIMplifica access fee covers the Queimadas/IFCN managed area — pay online before you arrive.

Want me to check the mountain forecast and IPMA warnings for the area, or look at how to get to Queimadas by bus from where you're staying?

OpenMadeira can make mistakes — check the sources.