💭 Thinking
How this was derived · 2 steps
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde 4.6 Directions
- Levada do Rei 4.5 Directions
- Ponta de São Jorge via Ramal do Caminho Real 23 4.1 Directions
⚠️ Important: This is a community route mapped on AllTrails — not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature-conservation authority). It therefore has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee. Check access and conditions locally before setting out.
| Location | São Jorge, municipality of Santana |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Length | 2.7 km (out and back) |
| Estimated time | 1 – 1.5 hours |
| Route type | Out and back |
| Community rating | 4.1★ from 123 hiker reviews on AllTrails |
This route follows the Ramal do Caminho Real nº 23 — a branch of Madeira's historic Royal Road network. The Caminhos Reais (Royal Roads) began to be built soon after the island was settled; they were the main thoroughfares of their time, connecting villages to each other and to the ports for the transport of people and goods.
The trailhead is in São Jorge, on the north coast of Santana municipality. From there the path winds along the coastal slope towards Ponta de São Jorge, offering striking views over the Atlantic and the rugged northern coastline. Along the way you pass viewpoints and can observe the ruins of Forte de São Jorge (the old fortress ruins) perched above the sea.
A longer and more demanding community route along the same Royal Road system also exists:
| Length | 9.2 km (out and back) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Estimated time | 4 – 4.5 hours |
| Community rating | 4.5★ from 145 reviews on AllTrails |
This extended version has challenging and exposed sections; attention is needed in areas of higher altitude. It runs along coastal paths past viewpoints, the typical houses of Santana, and the Lagoa do Calhau de São Jorge (the coastal lagoon). The route is aimed at the ruins of São Jorge, though final access may be restricted — respect any signs and barriers.
- Ponta de São Jorge via Ramal do Caminho Real 23: Directions to trailhead ↗
- Calhau de São Jorge – Caminho Real nº 23: Directions to trailhead ↗
Both trailheads are roughly 10–15 minutes by car from the village of Santana.
If you'd prefer an official, maintained trail, the Santana area has several well-known ones:
| Trail | Distance from Santana | Difficulty | Access fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| **PR 9.1** Levada do Caldeirão Verde — *Um Caminho para Todos* | 4.6 km / 7 min drive | — (accessible) | €4.50 (adults) |
| **PR 9** Levada do Caldeirão Verde | 4.4 km / 10 min drive | Moderate | €4.50 (adults) |
| **PR 18** Levada do Rei | 9.5 km / 14 min drive | Moderate | €4.50 (adults) |
Before heading out, I can check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the Santana / north coast area — want me to do that?





