Trails
Levada dos Tornos - Sul
Twenty-eight kilometres above Funchal, split over two days at Camacha
The place
The southern Levada dos Tornos is a long walk of about 28 km that can be split into two days, with a night in Camacha. It starts at Curral dos Romeiros, east of Monte above Funchal, and follows the water channel through farmland, the hydrangea garden at Choupana and the landscape garden at Palheiro Ferreiro before it reaches Camacha.
The second stage runs through tunnels that you pass bent over, with a torch, and a bypass is available for those who would rather avoid them. The walk ends south of Santo António da Serra, where a short walk is needed to reach a road. It is rated hard, and the path can stay slippery even in good condition.
Highlights
- The hydrangea garden at Choupana, about 4 km in, with a rest stop and café.
- Camacha, the suggested overnight stop, with a church, a museum and a health centre.
- Small waterfalls on the second day along the levada near Anchada da Camacha and Lombo Barreto.
- The tunnels on the second stage, which need a torch and have a bypass.
When to come
Choose a dry day and start early. The full walk takes about nine and a half hours of walking in one day, and the path can stay slippery even in good condition, so split it over two days if you want an easier pace.
Getting there
Reach Curral dos Romeiros, east of Monte above Funchal, by taxi, and arrange transport from the finish south of Santo António da Serra, where a short walk is needed to reach a road.
Worth knowing
- Time: around nine and a half hours of walking for the full route; two days is the suggested split, with a night in Camacha.
- Distance: about 28.5 km one way.
- Altitude: the route stays at around 600 metres with slight ups and downs and one steep climb.
- Difficulty: hard.
- Tunnels: the second stage has tunnels that you pass bent over, so bring a torch; a bypass is available.
- Food and water: carry enough food and drink, as a café may be hard to find along the way.
- Footwear: waterproof footwear is strongly advised, since the path can get slippery.