Walks in Calheta MADEIRA by Paul Abbiati mountain & levada walks

Walks in Calheta, Madeira   The ‘Levada das 25 Fontes’ & ‘Fajã da Ovelha to Ponta do Pargo’   Calheta is not only bursting with the hottiest and sunniest South-west coast in Madeira and natural beauty but, also wonderful mountain and ‘levada’ (walks along irrigation canals).   The ‘Levada das 25 Fontes’ Walk   This valley is one of the most beautiful on the island and most frequented by walkers. The indigenous forests of Madeira are known as ‘the Laurisilva’ and cover more than 25% of the island and were classified a World Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO. The recommended starting point is the car park above Rabaçal off the ER110, 1340 mtrs above sea level and be there early as it can fill up quickly! Its situated on the western slopes of the Paúl da Serra plateau on the northern half of the central mountain range and about 4 kms west from the new cross roads at Paúl da Serra.  

The ‘Levada das 25 Fontes’ Walk

The Fajã da Ovelha – Ponta do Pargo Walk

Walks in Calheta, Madeira The starting point at the car park is a doorway to many wonderful walks, not only to the Rabaçal valley, the Levada das 25 Fontes, Levada do Risco, Levada da Rocha Vermelha and Lagoa do Vento, but, also the wonderful walk into the Ribeira Grande Valley which ends with a magnificent waterfall and trout pool.   The Fajã da Ovelha – Ponta do Pargo Walk   Since the opening of the new highway (‘the Via Rapida’) the west of the island is now easily accessible, Prazeres is only 30 minutes from Funchal. Walks along the Levada Nova have to be done in manageable sections as it extends some 50 kms along the south west coast of Madeira, from its source above Ponta do Sol to where it ends in Cabo (a parish of Ponta do Pargo at the far western point of the island).   The water channels of the walk flow at a height of around 600m and follow the southern slopes of the central mountain range through deep valley heads, narrow ravines as well as forested and agricultural areas. It has beautiful, dramatic and isolated areas. The levada passes through rural areas on agricultural slopes and through small traditional farming communities with orange groves and apple orchards.  For more information about these walks and others and Accommodation in Calheta contact us at: law@abbiati.co.uk