THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Run the Levada do Furado loop from Poiso: 14 km, ~500 m elevation change, with forested levada flats and a climb back past Balcões viewpoint. A guided, all-levels trail run that highlights Madeira’s laurel forest and water channels.
Run the Levada do Furado loop from Poiso: 14 km, ~500 m elevation change, with forested levada flats and a climb back past Balcões viewpoint. A guided, all-levels trail run that highlights Madeira’s laurel forest and water channels.
You step out at Poiso where the air is sharp and cool, clouds skimming the ridgeline as the guide sets the pace.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Madeira Trail Tours · Ribeiro Frio, Madeira
You step out at Poiso where the air is sharp and cool, clouds skimming the ridgeline as the guide sets the pace.
The route drops quickly from Poiso (approx. 1,412 m) into the laurel forest, opening onto the narrow Levada do Furado that threads the slope toward Ribeiro Frio (900 m). The track loops 14 km with roughly 500 m of elevation loss and gain; you’ll run flats beside the levada, pick a finger-quiet rhythm through damp tunnelled canopy, then climb back to the start past Balcões viewpoint where the valley cuts wide.
Madeira’s levadas date to early water-management projects that shaped the island’s agriculture; geology here is young volcanic rock carved by rain and time, making narrow ridges and steep drops. Cultural fragments — stone walls, old irrigation cuts, a trout farm at Ribeiro Frio — appear like punctuation along the run.
Expect dirt trail that gets muddy after rain, with roots and rocks underfoot and frequent microclimates: sun-exposed slopes one minute, cool mist the next. The guide keeps groups small (max six), sets a steady, inclusive pace, and breaks for photos at Balcões.
Practical edge: wear stable trail shoes with good grip, bring 1–1.5 L water, a light waterproof layer, and trekking poles if you use them on descents. Start early to avoid afternoon clouds and take time at the levada flats — they're ideal for controlled, even pacing. This run is as much about steady effort and attention to footing as it is about scenery.
moderate.
3 hours.
Suitable for runners of mixed ability and hikers comfortable with sustained uphill and downhill effort; basic endurance and ankle stability recommended
Yes—this easy-moderate tour is designed for a range of fitness levels; the guide moderates pace and the flat levada section allows recovery.
Groups are small (max six); bookings require a single ticket per person and basic participant info like age and pickup point.
The tour can be cancelled for bad weather; bring a waterproof layer and consult the operator about rescheduling if conditions are poor.
No technical climbing is required, but expect uneven dirt, mud, rocks and roots—good footwear and attention to footing are essential.
Levadas were built over centuries to move mountain water to coastal fields—Levada do Furado is part of that irrigation network that shaped Madeira’s settlement and agriculture.
The levada corridor passes through UNESCO-listed laurisilva; stick to trails, pack out waste, and follow guide instructions to minimize trampling and disturbance.
Madeira Trail Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step out at Poiso where the air is sharp and cool, clouds skimming the ridgeline as the guide sets the pace.
You step out at Poiso where the air is sharp and cool, clouds skimming the ridgeline as the guide sets the pace.
The route drops quickly from Poiso (approx. 1,412 m) into the laurel forest, opening onto the narrow Levada do Furado that threads the slope toward Ribeiro Frio (900 m). The track loops 14 km with roughly 500 m of elevation loss and gain; you’ll run flats beside the levada, pick a finger-quiet rhythm through damp tunnelled canopy, then climb back to the start past Balcões viewpoint where the valley cuts wide.
Madeira’s levadas date to early water-management projects that shaped the island’s agriculture; geology here is young volcanic rock carved by rain and time, making narrow ridges and steep drops. Cultural fragments — stone walls, old irrigation cuts, a trout farm at Ribeiro Frio — appear like punctuation along the run.
Expect dirt trail that gets muddy after rain, with roots and rocks underfoot and frequent microclimates: sun-exposed slopes one minute, cool mist the next. The guide keeps groups small (max six), sets a steady, inclusive pace, and breaks for photos at Balcões.
Practical edge: wear stable trail shoes with good grip, bring 1–1.5 L water, a light waterproof layer, and trekking poles if you use them on descents. Start early to avoid afternoon clouds and take time at the levada flats — they're ideal for controlled, even pacing. This run is as much about steady effort and attention to footing as it is about scenery.