Trails
Levada da Negra
From the Poço da Neve snow house down the levada to Curral Velho
The place
The Levada da Negra links the high ground below Pico do Arieiro with the upper edge of Funchal. It starts at the Poço da Neve on the ER 202, an igloo-shaped stone house built in 1813 to store snow and hail so the city could have ice, at the same trailhead as the PR 4 Levada do Barreiro. From there the path runs down beside the channel to Chão da Barreira at Curral Velho, in the parish of Santo António, at about 835 m.
Unlike most levada walks it is not level: the channel and its path drop about 700 m over 7.3 km, with flights of steps, fords and a forest road to cross. The upper part runs through the tree heath typical of the island's high ground. Walked uphill from Curral Velho it takes about three hours; downhill is quicker but needs care on wet steps.
Highlights
- The Poço da Neve, a stone snow house of 1813, at the start.
- A descent of about 700 m beside the levada, unusual for a levada walk.
- Tree heath on the high ground near the ER 202.
- Fords and flights of steps on the way down.
When to come
A clear, dry day; the start at about 1,500 m is often in cloud, and wet steps and fords are slippery.
Getting there
Start at the Poço da Neve on the ER 202, the road to Pico do Arieiro, which has parking nearby; the lower end is at Chão da Barreira, Curral Velho, with bus stops about 500 m away.
Worth knowing
- Distance and time: about 7.3 km one way; about three hours uphill, less downhill.
- Height: from about 1,540 m at the Poço da Neve to about 835 m at Curral Velho.
- Difficulty: moderate, with steep steps and fords; not an official PR trail.
- Next door: the PR 4 Levada do Barreiro from the same trailhead had restricted access in November 2026.
- Transport: arrange a lift between the two ends, or use the buses that stop near Curral Velho.
- Footwear: boots with a good grip for the wet steps and stream crossings.
