The Levada do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno hiking trail is the most beautiful of all 15 trails that we made on Madeira. And if you are short in time I strongly recommend to go to this PR9 trail. If I will visit Madeira again I will definitely repeat this hiking! Also there was a problem in the end of our hiking that made the finishing impossible – please read till the end 🙂
It is like Masca Canyon hiking trail on Tenerife – hiking must-go and you want to visit it again and again 🙂 (the trails are surely different though) .
Interesting and useful information about PR9 Levada do Caldeirao Verde and Caldeirao do Inferno hiking trail
- The trail is out and back, one way 6.5km to Caldeirao Verde waterfall + 2.2km to Caldeirao do Inferno and back 8.7km (17.4km out and back). Usually the way takes 5,5-6 hours. I suggest to start at 12pm or earlier – it depends of your speed of course. We have started at 1:30pm – and we were running back to finish before the sunset (usually around 6pm-6:30pm for equator). From my trail record (the end of this page) you can see that we made everything in 5 hours, but we were always in a hurry 🙁
- Levada do Caldeirao Verde was build in 18th century, the Caldeirao Vedre waterfall hight is 110 meters. The trail starts in Queimadas Forest Park, featuring Laurissilva Forest, classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO from 1999.
- The vegetation around makes Caldeirao Verde lake green that’s why it is called Verde – green. If you are luky you will see Trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz) near the lake – endemic bird that lives only on Madeira island.
- The way to Caldeirao Verde leads through 4 tunnels, that can be wet and I strongly suggest to buy a torch, because there is always a problem with mobile battery after 1 million photos of the trees and waterfalls around 🙂
- There were not so many people on our way on the December 26th but I have read that the way can be really busy in high season. But I think that this trail is anyway not so busy as PR 6 Levada das 25 fontes which is the most crowded on the island ;D
- We did our way with 2 Yorkie dogs, and I think the way to Caldeirao Verde can be made without problems with the children who are not afraid of the tunnels, by people who are able to go 6.5km out and 6.5km back. BUT! The part to Caldeirao do Inferno is the tricky one. There will be a part with many many many steps up and up, then some tunnels that can be full of water (so you will need to wear rubber slippers to go into water).
- The weather is changing very fast – we have started at 1:30pm (it is late!) with the sunny weather and already at 4pm it was cloudy and the Caldeirao Verde waterfall was clouded also. It starts to get darker after 4pm also! Raincoat, non-slip shoes, torch are must have for Madeira hiking trails.
- There is no mobile signal near and after the stairs of Caldeirao do Inferno trail – so take it into account.
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno Hiking Trail 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – cows near parking lot 
Queimadas Forest Park – traditional Santana house (small version for ducks)
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno Hiking Trail 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno Hiking Trail 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde Trail
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – Tunnel 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – Tunnel 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – Tunnel 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – Inside The Tunnel
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – Bruno thinks he will catch the bird 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – it is time for your raincoat 
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno Hiking Trail
Levada Do Caldeirao Verde – Waterfall 
Caldeirao Verde Waterfall, me and Baryk the Yorkie
Tunnel to Caldeirao Do Inferno 
Stairs to Caldeirao Do Inferno and Bruno the Yorkie 
Magic fog – the weather is getting worse 
Trail to Caldeirao Do Inferno
Caldeirao Do Inferno Hiking Trail 
Magic trees 
Caldeirao Do Inferno Hiking Trail
Unfortunately the last tunnel was full of water, ankle high, and we had no rubber slippers. Also we were out of time, it started to get darker after 4pm (the time when this last photo was made – you can see it). Even if we would made through the tunnel it was impossible to see anything because of the darkness. So after taking some photos we decided to go back. For this part of the way I strongly suggest to take some rubber slippers if you want to go through the last tunnel to see the Inferno waterfall. On our way back to stairs we have met a couple that had just finished stairs climbing. I made they really unhappy with the news about the last tunnel. Anyway it stated to get darker and I suggested that the best idea was to go back. On our way back we were running and falling sometimes to levada because of the tiredness, with the fear that the forest spirits will definitely catch us if we will not finish before the dark! 😀 I hope the couple made a right decision and also had turned back. There is a good example that you should start this trail at 12pm or even earlier! Anyway, take into account our fails and enjoy on of the beautifulest trails on Madeira island!
Here is a small video about Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno Trail:
Here you can find and follow my Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Inferno Trail:
https://wikiloc.com/marshruty-pokhod/levada-do-caldeirao-verde-and-inferno-91405507
Useful weblinks – check before the trail:
- Official website of Madeira – it is always better to check the trail in advance, if it is not closed etc.
- PR9 Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Caldeirao Do Inferno Hiking Trail Offline Map (Download Madeira maps to your phone in advance to have access to offline maps! )
- Official PR9 Levada Do Caldeirao Verde and Caldeirao Do Inferno Hiking Trail Map and useful information
- QUEIMADAS FOREST PARK information
Do you like this trail? Have any questions?
Write me a comment! 🙂
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