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.
Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
Vereda da Lagoa do Vento: walk in Madeira
Vereda da Lagoa do Vento is a 9 km out-and-back walk in Calheta, signposted PR6.3, rated hard. It climbs about 450 m in total and takes about 4 hours to walk.
Quiet branch off the 25 Fontes route descending steeply to a hidden waterfall and lagoon, slippery, not signposted.
Share this venue
About Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
Vereda da Lagoa do Vento 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 9 km point-to-point route, Vereda da Lagoa do Vento climbs around 450 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 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 PR6.3. 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.
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
Calheta, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.75994, -17.12194
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Vereda da Lagoa do Vento.
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 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
Loading reviews…
Frequently asked
How long does the Vereda da Lagoa do Vento hike take?
Most hikers complete Vereda da Lagoa do Vento in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 9 km long with about 450 m of elevation gain.
Is Vereda da Lagoa do Vento suitable for beginners?
Vereda da Lagoa do Vento 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 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento?
No, Vereda da Lagoa do Vento 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 Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Vereda da Lagoa do Vento in a day.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Vereda da Lagoa do Vento.
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.