Levada Da Serra Do Faial
Levada Da Serra Do Faial
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4.0
32 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Otto_Hettie
Lake of Geneva152 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Also known as Paradise Valley. A hidden forest, a paradise to discover. This walk begins in Choupana, in the highlands of Funchal, at the south of Madeira Island and takes hikers on a journey full of pleasant green tones of the forest of the island. Along this trail, made side by side with the Levada, hikers can observe several species of flora and fauna. Enjoy the natural sounds and the magnificent surroundings of this tour. Once in a while, emerge beautiful and breathtaking panoramic views of the small villages in the area of Funchal and Camacha, allowing you to see the island from a different perspective. This is an easy and affordable walk for anyone. We had the chance to be with Trevor from TJWalking, who knows all the flowers and trees ! We never rent a car and prefer the buses. Very important for us was the "Unofficial Madeira bus guide" (3 Euros), we got from tjwalking-madeira.com/buspurchase.html , as the tourist office since 5 years has no brochure available. This really changed our holidays and we could easy plan our trips.
Written 7 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Riku1
11 contributions
July 2015
The levada walk in itself is quite easy, wide paths to walk on and not too many downhill / uphills. Nice walk to do when you want to get away from Funchal city centre for a while. Not that amaizing views or specialities to see, but relaxing walk all in all.
Can be accessed on your own using busses from Funchal. Best to take bus no. 29 and ride it up beyond the botanical gardens and then switch to bus no. 94 towards Choupana. Get off at the last stop and start walking uphill. Its pretty steep hill to climb and one needs to be somewhat fit to do it. For others i advise to get a taxi from Funchal or the gardens and ride it to the starting point, from there on its flat. Remember to check bus schedules before taking the trip, bus 94 for example only runs few times a day..
From camancha go to the city Centre and take bus 129 back to Funchal. Costs 2,20€ and makes the trip pretty quick.
Can be accessed on your own using busses from Funchal. Best to take bus no. 29 and ride it up beyond the botanical gardens and then switch to bus no. 94 towards Choupana. Get off at the last stop and start walking uphill. Its pretty steep hill to climb and one needs to be somewhat fit to do it. For others i advise to get a taxi from Funchal or the gardens and ride it to the starting point, from there on its flat. Remember to check bus schedules before taking the trip, bus 94 for example only runs few times a day..
From camancha go to the city Centre and take bus 129 back to Funchal. Costs 2,20€ and makes the trip pretty quick.
Written 17 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plastiplasti
Malaga, Spain42 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We visited this levada using M Btours. I was still waiting for the point of it all even towards the end. The only good things to say about it were the coffee at the end at €1.50 was reasonably priced and pleasant and the 5 miles of exercise undertaken.
After a few minutes of uphill walking at the start the walk is virtually level and devoid of both views and interest.
Seriously don’t bother.
After a few minutes of uphill walking at the start the walk is virtually level and devoid of both views and interest.
Seriously don’t bother.
Written 29 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichardBlakey
Heathfield, UK1,000 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
One of the easiest Levada walks.
Still recommend go in twos at least.
Anyone can fall on a hot or cold/foggy day.
This describes Rochao to Choupana.
We caught the 129 bus from the Teleferico terminus . 10 or 11 am seems good time.
Stopped at Camacha for coffee and pastelle nata. Then about 15 minute walk up hill with great views back down valley. There are signs to the Levada but also locals happy to point you right way.
The Levada is flat and wide. In May there are lots of plants in flower despite being only 3 weeks after the harvesting for the flower festival.
The walk is about 10km not the 8km indicated in WalkMe Madeira. This app is really useful otherwise. Also recommend the Civil Protection app which allows you to add health details and GPS means they can find you in an emergency.
The usual walk is to (or from) Paradise Valley, where there are bus stops.
We then continued the second half west. We saw no-one on this section hence the advice to ensure your own safety even on the easiest walks.
At the end there are spectacular views down over the Estadio de Madeira down to Funchal. We walked around a fenced off valley where work is going on ? Relates to last year's fires as there was evidence of burnt eucalyptus trees .
Finally you come to a very steep cobbled road. No signs but you head down not up! Will be slippy when wet.
Slightly hairy walk down road for about 1.5km to 42 bus stop. Be aware , big gaps in the afternoon timetable. Consider using minibus 'Pearl of the Atlantic' to pick you up. We and a slightly dehydrated and bemused German walker flagged down a taxi . 4 euros for each of 3 of us back to Teleferico.
Great walk - end spoiled it a bit. Consider stop at Paradise Valley and catch bus or walk back to beautiful Camacha.
Still recommend go in twos at least.
Anyone can fall on a hot or cold/foggy day.
This describes Rochao to Choupana.
We caught the 129 bus from the Teleferico terminus . 10 or 11 am seems good time.
Stopped at Camacha for coffee and pastelle nata. Then about 15 minute walk up hill with great views back down valley. There are signs to the Levada but also locals happy to point you right way.
The Levada is flat and wide. In May there are lots of plants in flower despite being only 3 weeks after the harvesting for the flower festival.
The walk is about 10km not the 8km indicated in WalkMe Madeira. This app is really useful otherwise. Also recommend the Civil Protection app which allows you to add health details and GPS means they can find you in an emergency.
The usual walk is to (or from) Paradise Valley, where there are bus stops.
We then continued the second half west. We saw no-one on this section hence the advice to ensure your own safety even on the easiest walks.
At the end there are spectacular views down over the Estadio de Madeira down to Funchal. We walked around a fenced off valley where work is going on ? Relates to last year's fires as there was evidence of burnt eucalyptus trees .
Finally you come to a very steep cobbled road. No signs but you head down not up! Will be slippy when wet.
Slightly hairy walk down road for about 1.5km to 42 bus stop. Be aware , big gaps in the afternoon timetable. Consider using minibus 'Pearl of the Atlantic' to pick you up. We and a slightly dehydrated and bemused German walker flagged down a taxi . 4 euros for each of 3 of us back to Teleferico.
Great walk - end spoiled it a bit. Consider stop at Paradise Valley and catch bus or walk back to beautiful Camacha.
Written 21 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robin d
Fleet, UK99 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
We booked half day - Levada walk with our x2 boys 10 and 13. Booked this one because difficulty level 'easy' promised spectacular views and 'Sierra' just north west of our accommodation and Praia de Formosa. Walk didn't disappoint. Walking inter-dispersed with regular stops to learn more about island and flora and forna. Spectacular views. We were very lucky to have a guide 'Roberto' born and raised on the Island, scholar and author with a PHD in local botany and who brought both passion and enthusiasm to his role. Even kids were positive - result and rare first for a walk. Would whole heartedly recommend.
Written 18 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter B
Scotland, UK59 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
We were staying at Valle Paraizo close to Camacha and close to this levada; so it was our first and second walks - in different directions. On the second trip (towards choupana from valle paraizo) we combined it with a return walk on the lower levada dos tornos.
These stretches were easy walking, level (of course) along the dry levada, and passed through trees and around valleys - with good views down to the sea and across the little villages and communities. We thoroughly enjoyed it. There is good bus access at valle paraizo and camacha; at choupana we saw a taxi hoping for passengers and walked down beneath the football stadium to another road that does have bus service into Funchal.
Nice and close to Funchal; no tunnels or dangerous drops in the parts we did.
We downloaded the walkme app to help track progress and where to get on and off the levada.
These stretches were easy walking, level (of course) along the dry levada, and passed through trees and around valleys - with good views down to the sea and across the little villages and communities. We thoroughly enjoyed it. There is good bus access at valle paraizo and camacha; at choupana we saw a taxi hoping for passengers and walked down beneath the football stadium to another road that does have bus service into Funchal.
Nice and close to Funchal; no tunnels or dangerous drops in the parts we did.
We downloaded the walkme app to help track progress and where to get on and off the levada.
Written 3 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThunderRoad88
348 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Firstly, unless you are on your own, don't waste money doing this walk as any organised tour. We did it as a family of four for 8 euros each, much better than the 25 - 27 euros each most companies charge. From the Porto Mate hotel, you can get a taxi outside up to Choupana for 25 euros. Go up the cobbled hill past the stadium about 300m and turn right onto the path, it is not signposted but is an obvious well worn path. It's a very easy trail to follow all the way to Camacha or Rochao and is signposted at various points. At Camacha, just go to the Bar Moisies and have a drink. Various bus numbers stop there and take you right into Funchal for 2.20 euros each. It is simple and if you time it right you can get the hotel courtesy bus back at 3pm or treat yourself to a taxi with the money you saved. The walk itself is a pretty woodland walk, not many great views but lovely flowers and fresh air if it gets too hot down by the coast.
Written 11 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A W
Newick, UK226 contributions
June 2021 • Couples
We left the bus stop in Camacha and turned north across the junction, following clear levada signs. About 1 km away the east and west versions of this levada leave the road - clearly signed - we turned right/east and walked along a very easy path past a pleasant village. Continue until a road crossing and zig-zag right then left and on down a road (once a day the 77 bus comes along this road, along which you must walk for about 3km). Eventually you’ll see a sign on your left for the levada Serra do Faial just before the tarmac goes steeply downhill to the main road. This leads you to the best part of a long walk: we spent nearly 4 hours altogether to our destination, always a little further away than we thought! At one stage, near a building company site, you can turn right down a tar road leading to the main highway and a bus stop - but only 3 buses a day - the ongoing levada sign shows “to Portela”. Continue and you cross a logging trail in dense woodland and go onwards for another 4/5km along a very picturesque trail until yet another rough, rutted road heads downhill, with the levada continuing towards Portela. Head steeply southwards and you approach a new Trout Farm building, go past and reach tar and then the main road. 500m to the right is the roundabout junction at the western end of Santo da Serra. Left takes you into the pleasant main street and all facilities, including the 77 bus terminal.
Despite parts of the walk being along tarmac we thought this was a worthwhile venture...lovely trees and flowers....cafes only close to Camacha and at the end of the walk.
Despite parts of the walk being along tarmac we thought this was a worthwhile venture...lovely trees and flowers....cafes only close to Camacha and at the end of the walk.
Written 1 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon
Anglesey, UK23 contributions
May 2018
We even take our dogs...a great walk all the way from Camacha to Portela or Ribeira Frio.....trees, valley views, tumbling waterfalls and levadas. Whilst most of the Da Serra levada is dry the stage between Santo da Serra is now running with water ...lovely and safe!
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian S
Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada29 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
The trail along the Levada Da Serra Do Faial is an easy walk for anyone. The tail is almost completely flat and provides beautiful views of the valleys and eucalyptus forests whose fragrance is magical.
The walk incorporates a short cafe break and there are some local craftspeople who are willing to sell their wares along the trail.
The walk incorporates a short cafe break and there are some local craftspeople who are willing to sell their wares along the trail.
Written 24 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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