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Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo)
Not the same as the Pico Castelo hill path
This page is the classified PS3 levada walk from Camacha to the Graça Chapel. The short forested loop up the cone of Pico Castelo itself is a different, unclassified walk.
See the Vereda do Pico Castelo loop →Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo): walk in Porto Santo
Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) is a 4.1 km out-and-back walk in Porto Santo, signposted PS3, rated moderate. It climbs about 130 m in total and takes about 1.5 hours to walk.
Porto Santo's levada walk: 4.1 km of shaded channel path from Camacha, through Ribeiro Formoso to the Graça Chapel, under the pines planted to green the island's driest slopes. Officially closed at the moment.
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About Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo)
Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) sits in Porto Santo and is a moderately demanding hike, good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 4.1 km point-to-point route, Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) climbs around 130 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
It packs a lot of variety into a relatively short distance, which is why it stays busy through the season. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, catalogued as PS3. 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.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go, trails close after storms or rockfalls.
- Official route sheet: 4.1 km, moderate, about 1h30, Camacha → Graça Chapel via Ribeiro Formoso, maximum altitude 210 m and minimum 80 m. Ascent here is our estimate from those altitudes.
- Current status: IFCN lists the PS3 as ENCERRADO (closed). Porto Santo's three PS routes sit on their own section of the official classified table, which is why the code is PS and not PR.
- Getting there: Porto Santo is 2h30 by ferry from Funchal or about 15 minutes by plane. This is a half-day walk, not a reason on its own to make the crossing.
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 Santo, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
33.08760, -16.33580
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo).
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.
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Frequently asked
How long does the Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) hike take?
Most hikers complete Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) in around 1.5 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 3 hours. The route is 4.1 km long with about 130 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) suitable for beginners?
Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) is rated moderate. Beginners with reasonable fitness can complete it, but expect uneven ground, some exposed sections and a few hours on your feet.
Do I need a guide for Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo)?
No, Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) 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 do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo)
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo) in a day.
Nearby on Porto Santo
Other places within easy reach of Levada do Pico Castelo (Porto Santo).
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
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