Levada do Caldeirão Verde is the walk that convinces most visitors why Madeira is called the “floating garden of the Atlantic.” Starting from the thatched-roof shelter at Queimadas Forest Park, this laurel-forest levada threads through four hand-carved tunnels before opening onto a 100-metre waterfall crashing into a jade-green pool. In this updated guide: how to get to Queimadas, what the four tunnels and vertigo sections are really like, how to book your SIMplifica slot for 2026, and whether the extension to Caldeirão do Inferno is worth the extra effort.
What is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9)?
Along Levada do Caldeirão Verde, punctuated by escarpments and mountains, you will pass through four tunnels carved in the rock. We are in the midst of the Laurissilva forest, where abundant water is routed through this historic ‘levada’, built in the 18th century, to the farmlands of the parish of Faial. The route is officially classified as PR9 and is one of the most photographed hikes on the island, prized for its flat profile and its dramatic finale.
Only then will you find, on your left, the Caldeirão Verde lake, formed by the water that falls vertically from the bed of the brook Ribeiro do Caldeirão Verde, at an altitude of about 100 m. The pool and rock basin below give the trail its name — “the green cauldron” — a nod to the mineral-tinted water and moss-covered walls that ring the amphitheatre.
Getting to Queimadas Forest Park
The trailhead sits above the town of Santana, on Madeira’s north coast, reached along a narrow, winding road lined with hydrangeas. From Funchal, follow the ER101 road to Levada do Caldeirão Verde; the drive will take you around 45 to 50 minutes. There is no direct bus service to the trailhead itself; if you rely on public transport, you can take a bus to Santana, but from there you’ll either have to walk or take a taxi, and it would take around 1.5 hours to walk versus 8 minutes by car. If you’re combining the walk with other north-coast stops, this area pairs naturally with a visit to nearby Santana’s traditional A-frame houses.
Parking is paid and can fill fast. The parking fee is 2 euros per hour and you’ll have to pay afterwards by scanning your ticket at the machine in the lower level of the bigger Casa das Queimadas. Arriving before mid-morning genuinely changes the experience: the paid parking lot at Queimadas is small, so it fills up fast, and coach groups tend to arrive from mid-morning onward.
On the trail: tunnels, ledges and the Laurissilva
The walk begins almost flat and well-defined. The PR9 trail starts just behind Parque Florestal das Queimadas, is super easy to follow, and stays wet all year round with water gushing from the rocks — which keeps it remarkably green. Further along, the character shifts: some stretches are carved directly into cliff faces, with a steel cable to hold and genuine drop-offs on one side, so this is not a hike for anyone uneasy with heights, even though a railing runs along the exposed sections.
Then come the tunnels — the trail’s signature feature. You will need to pass through four tunnels that vary in length and height and require a phone light or headlamp; watch your head, as the roof can be low in some sections, though these are only a few hundred metres rather than kilometres long. Bring an actual torch rather than relying solely on a phone: the ground inside is uneven and often wet.
The waterfall and the “green cauldron”
The reward is unmistakable. The Caldeirão Verde waterfall is a mesmerising cascade that plunges over 100 feet into a natural basin, concealed in a verdant valley encompassed by towering cliffs and lush vegetation. Most hikers linger here for lunch before turning back the way they came, since once you have regained your energy, you can continue to Caldeirão do Inferno, at 2200 m, or return via Levada do Caldeirão Verde — the classic out-and-back option.
Extending to Caldeirão do Inferno
Beyond the main waterfall, the path continues further into the valley toward a second, more remote cascade. For the particularly persistent, it is possible to continue the route to Caldeirão do Inferno, an additional 3 km of travel both ways, plus around 3 hours to the main route. This section is narrower and more exposed, and it is regularly affected by landslides after heavy rain — always check current status before setting out, since closures here are common and non-negotiable for safety reasons.
Booking and fees for 2026
Access to PR9 now requires advance planning. There is a €4.50 fee per person to hike this trail, and as of January 1, 2026, a reservation with a time slot must be made online in advance through the SIMplifica website, where you choose the trail, date, and a 30-minute entry window. Book as early as you can, particularly for weekends and the peak summer months, since slots for popular levadas sell out.
| Location | Queimadas Forest Park, Santana (north coast) |
| Distance | 8.7 km one way (17.4 km round trip) to Caldeirão Verde |
| Duration | About 6:30 hours round trip (faster, brisk hikers report 3–5 hours) |
| Difficulty | Easy–moderate; flat but with tunnels and exposed ledges |
| Altitude range | Max. 1020 m / Min. 872 m |
| Tunnels | Four tunnels carved in the rock — bring a torch or headlamp |
| Trail fee | €4.50 per person, booked via SIMplifica with a timed entry slot |
| Parking | €2 per hour at Queimadas, paid afterwards at the machine |
| Extension | Caldeirão do Inferno adds about 3 km each way plus 3 hours |
- Book your SIMplifica slot before you leave home — the €4.50 timed-entry system is now mandatory and popular dates fill up days in advance.
- Bring a proper headlamp, not just your phone torch — the tunnel floors are uneven and the light needs to stay steady while you watch your footing.
- Arrive before 9am if you want the waterfall to yourself — the small Queimadas car park fills quickly and coach groups arrive from mid-morning.
- Wear boots with real grip, not trainers — sections carved into the rock face are often wet and slippery, and there is a genuine drop on one side.
- Check the status of Caldeirão do Inferno before committing to the extension — this stretch is regularly closed after landslides and reopening dates change through the year.
- Pack your own food and water — the only café is back at the Queimadas trailhead, and there are no facilities at the waterfall itself.
Watch the levada before you go
For a real sense of the tunnels, the forest light and the waterfall’s scale, this chapter of a wider Madeira video guide gives a useful visual preview before you lace up your boots.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book PR9 in advance?
Yes. Since January 2026, a timed-entry reservation and the €4.50 fee must be arranged online through the SIMplifica portal before you arrive.
Is the trail suitable for children or nervous walkers?
The main levada section is flat and family-friendly, but the exposed ledges near the waterfall and the pitch-dark tunnels can unsettle those uneasy with heights or confined spaces.
How long does the hike really take?
Official figures put the round trip at around 6:30 hours, though fit hikers moving steadily often finish the out-and-back to the waterfall in 4 to 5 hours without the extension.
Should I continue to Caldeirão do Inferno?
Only if you have time, good weather and the trail is confirmed open, as this extension is longer, narrower and frequently closed after landslides.
Facts and prices verified in July 2026. For more waymarked walks on the island, see our guide to hiking Pico Ruivo, the coastal route at Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8), or browse the full Hiking & Levadas category for more trails around Madeira.
