Levada do Castelejo Walk

The Eagle's rock formation in Porto da Cruz

Highlights

The Levada do Castelejo Walk is one of our guests’ favourite half-day walk tours. It offers superb views of the striking Eagle’s Rock formation, villages, and farms of the Northeast Coast.

Holiday Type Walking & Active
Activity Level Fairly Easy 2/8

Castelejo Levada walk in Madeira bordered by flowers.

All about the Levada do Castelejo Walk

Come with us on this half-day guided walk and admire the fantastic views along the way and different from any other region in Madeira. This walk is along a path in Porto da Cruz, on the northern coast of the island, for the purpose of seeing farming by hand with vineyards and sugarcane, and other seasonal fruits and vegetables.

The Levada we will follow is essential to provide water to these inaccessible plantations. Besides, You will follow the contours of the hills and get great views up, across, and down the valley.

This walk highlight is the imposing rock formation of “Penha d’Águia” (Eagle’s Rock) that we can see from miles away. This path is one of Madeira’s hidden gems, and our guests consider one of the most enjoyable walks and one of those places you will want to keep returning. Book your seat now!

Porto da Cruz, Penha d'Águia rock formation and cow shed, from Levada do Castelejo Walk

Other Details on Levada do Castelejo Walk

When: Half-day, Monday

Trip Specifications: Tour starts at 9h and finishes around 13h.

Distance: 6 km (3 miles)

Max. Altitude: 340 m (1,115 ft.)

Min. Altitude: 220 m (721 ft.)

Departure Point and Time: Before, please click here for location details and map.

Venues: The mentioned key sites

Meals: No picnics on this half-day tour

Requirements: Punctuality, be fit to walk.

What do you need to bring to Levada do Castelejo Walk? • A coat/ jumper. • Also, mon-slip walking boots or sports footwear. • Make sure you have your camera. • In addition, hat and sunscreen. because most of the Levada is exposed to the sun, I mean, not sheltered by trees. • Water as there is nothing available on the route. • To conclude, take a bag to carry your litter away with you.

Good to Know

• The walk is not challenging, and there is no concern about vertigo. • Besides, there are bathrooms at the coffee bar at the end of the trail. Either, we do the walk at a reasonable pace, including stopping for taking photos. The trail itself is flat with a few steps here and there. Not to mention that this walk offers beautiful views over the northeast coast, the Eagle’s Rock formation, the ocean, green valleys and small farming villages. Actually, this path is a fascinating way to see how Madeirans cultivate the steep slopes and use the water from the Levada for irrigation.

Security: Considering safety, better to go with a guide and relax, instead of getting lost in the mountains of Madeira. For instance, if you fall or feel unwell, it is reassuring to know that the mountain guide activates the emergency system. Further, he/she sends a warning and the location of the group to the local authorities, enabling a quick rescue. To put it another way, all well worth the money for the hike.

Our Expertise

We pick you up from the place you are staying at and drop you off when finished. In fact, it is an easy and comfortable way to get to the walk. Moreover, it’s easy to book. There are comfort breaks before and after the walk. Our staff are qualified. Our fundamental principles are not only the comfort, but also safety, and flexibility of both our guests and personnel as well.

Wicker is cooked here to turn it more flexible for the wiker basket industry in Camacha

More importantly, consult our FAQs section, where we have the answers to the most asked questions.

Included in Levada do Castelejo Walk

Certified Tourist Guide/ Mountain Guide
Taxes, Fees and Handling Charges
Hotel pickup & drop-off included in the city of Funchal and for private tours only.

However, we can still pick you up upon an extra charge for hotels out of the city (€ per vehicle) or, if you have your car, we can set the time and meeting point in Funchal.

Air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance Fees When Mentioned
Insurance (Required by Portuguese law)
First aid kit (basics recommended by ATR)

Excluded in Levada do Castelejo Walk

 Please note that there may be an extra charge per reservation for pickups and drop-offs if your accommodation is outside of Funchal (check for prices here)

 In addition, picnic lunch is optional upon payment when booking this tour (add-ons)

 Also, drinks and food during the comfort stops

Castelejo Levada walk with a water canal built by hand by the ingeneous madeiran ancestors.

ITINERARY

Hotel Pickup (Departure time)
A member of our staff will pick you up at the indicated place and then confirm your voucher identification. You can present either a paper or an electronic ticket for this activity. The tour will begin as soon as we finish collecting tour members. Please click here for location details and map.

Porto da Cruz
To start with, we will drive to Porto da Cruz village in the northeast part of the island. Here, we will start our 2-2,5 hours Levada do Castelejo walk.

Custard apple or Anona and Avocado. the locals put out baskets with fresh fruits so you can buy from them and eat a snack along the way.

Along the Levada
This half-day Levada walk is at a low elevation (between 200m and 300m above sea level) and is in the farming region of the northeast Madeira. In fact, it is a fascinating walk because you can see both the farms, just below the Levada and especially the north shore of the island. There is a possibility to see the locals put out baskets with fresh fruits so you can buy from them and eat a snack along the way. A perfect first walk.

Comfort stop
Then, at the end of the walk, we will make a comfortable stop for anyone who wants to have a coffee and use the bathroom because there are no facilities along the way!