The Madeira Collective
Walked this?
Add your photos and they'll appear here, credited to you.
Two minutes, four quick steps. You'll create a profile at the end so your photos stay credited to you.
Levada da Rocha Vermelha
Levada da Rocha Vermelha: walk in Madeira
Levada da Rocha Vermelha is a 10.8 km out-and-back walk in Porto Moniz / Calheta, signposted PR28, rated hard. It climbs about 120 m in total and takes about 4 hours to walk.
A long, remote levada walk of about 10.8 km dropping from the Fanal road (ER209) to the canal keepers' house above Lombo da Atouguia, well away from the busy Rabaçal routes. Officially closed at the moment.
Share this venue
About Levada da Rocha Vermelha
Levada da Rocha Vermelha sits in the south-west, where the laurisilva spills toward the coast and is a demanding hike with exposed sections, long stair climbs and serious elevation change. Over its 10.8 km point-to-point route, Levada da Rocha Vermelha climbs around 120 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
Bring more water than you think you need and pace yourself, the second half is where most people struggle. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, catalogued as PR28. The PR sign at the trailhead is your reassurance, not a promise, weather on the central ridge can shift inside an hour.
What to know before you go
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip, basalt gets slippery when damp, and most levada paths have a drop on one side.
- Pack two litres of water per person, there are no refill points on the route, and a light fleece for the ridge wind.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Start at sunrise to beat both the heat and the cloud layer that often builds over the central ridge by late morning.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go, trails close after storms or rockfalls.
- Official route sheet: 10.8 km, about 4 hours, Fanal (ER209) → Casa dos Guardas de Canal, maximum altitude 1,297 m and minimum 837 m. The IFCN classified table gives the distance as 10.7 km. The walking is mostly level alongside the channel with roughly 460 m of net descent; the ascent figure here is our estimate.
- Current status: IFCN lists the PR28 as ENCERRADO (closed). Re-checked against the official table every morning.
- Remote route: no facilities, no shelter and little phone signal along the levada. It is a committing walk even when open, and there is no shortcut back once you are along the channel.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Porto Moniz / Calheta, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.81030, -17.14610
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Levada da Rocha Vermelha.
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind, dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
Visitor reviews
Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Levada da Rocha Vermelha. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
Loading reviews…
Frequently asked
How long does the Levada da Rocha Vermelha hike take?
Most hikers complete Levada da Rocha Vermelha in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 10.8 km long with about 120 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada da Rocha Vermelha suitable for beginners?
Levada da Rocha Vermelha is rated hard and is not recommended as a first Madeira hike. It involves steep stairs, exposed ridges and serious elevation change. Build up to it on easier levada walks first.
Do I need a guide for Levada da Rocha Vermelha?
No, Levada da Rocha Vermelha is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Plan around Levada da Rocha Vermelha
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Levada da Rocha Vermelha in a day.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Levada da Rocha Vermelha.
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
The monthly Madeira letter
Once a month: what's on the island next month, trails that closed or reopened, ferry and cable car changes, and the new guides worth reading. Written by Mike, no sponsored posts, unsubscribe in one click.
Your address is used for this letter only. Never sold, never shared.