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Tell me about the Trail of Levada Nova da Calheta levada walk in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about the "Trail of Levada Nova da Calheta" levada walk in Madeira. This is a hiking trail question, so I should use the find_hikes tool to look up this specific trail. Let me search for this trail using find_hikes.The user is asking about the "Trail of Levada Nova da Calheta" - this is not an official IFCN PR trail in the results. Looking at the community trails, I can see two that reference "Levada Nova" in the Calheta area: 1. "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova" - 5.6 km loop, moderate, 4.3★ from 163 reviews 2. "Caminho das Fontinhas - Caminho Cova do Arco - Levada Nova" - 12.7 km loop, moderate, 4.2★ from 118 reviews Neither is an official PR trail. The closest official PR trail that might be related is PR 28 "Levada da Rocha Vermelha" (which shares a route with the Caminho das Fontinhas community trail on AllTrails). Since "Levada Nova da Calheta" doesn't appear as an official IFCN PR trail, I need to present the community trail(s) that match this name, clearly labeled as unofficial. The most relevant match is "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova" - this seems to be the one most commonly referred to as "Levada Nova da Calheta" or "Levada Nova" walk. Let me describe it based on the community trail data. Let me also check if there's a video I could suggest.
How this was derived · 1 step
Trails near CalhetaMap & photos
6 photos
Caminho Real do Paul do MarCaminho Real do Paul do MarCaminho Real do Paul do MarCaminho Real do Paul do MarCaminho Real do Paul do MarCaminho Real do Paul do Mar
Photos: walkmeguide.com ↗
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)

The Levada Nova da Calheta (also known as "Arco da Calheta – Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova") is one of Madeira's beloved community walks — but it's not part of the official IFCN PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority. That means it has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee from IFCN.

Here's what we know from the hiker community (AllTrails):

Levada Nova da Calheta (Arco da Calheta – Sítio do Pinheiro)

Distance5.6 km
TypeLoop (circular)
DifficultyModerate
Estimated time2–2.5 hours
Rating⭐ 4.3 from 163 hiker reviews on AllTrails
AreaMadeira Natural Park
TrailheadNear Arco da Calheta

What it's like: This circular route starts in the village of Arco da Calheta and follows the Levada Nova — one of the most enchanting levada trails on the island. The path runs alongside the irrigation channel, always surrounded by lush vegetation, with panoramic views of the valley and the Atlantic Ocean. It continues to Sítio do Pinheiro, a tranquil spot where nature dominates the landscape, before looping back via alternative trails.

⚠️ Important caveats
  • Not an official PR trail — there's no IFCN open/closed status, so check access and conditions locally before you go.
  • No official signage or maintenance guarantee — the path may have sections that are overgrown, eroded, or harder to follow.
  • There's no access-fee system registered for this walk (unlike the nearby official PR trails, which charge €4.50).
Nearby official PR trails (for reference)

If you'd prefer a trail with official status and signage, the closest ones near Calheta are:

TrailDistance from CalhetaDifficultyAccess
PR 19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar~5 min driveModerate€4.50 (≤ 12 free)
PR 20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar~7 min driveEasy€4.50 (≤ 12 free)
PR 6.1 Levada do Risco~20 min driveEasy€4.50 (≤ 12 free)

Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the day you're planning to go, so you can judge conditions before heading out?

OpenMadeira can make mistakes — check the sources.