THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Trade the bustle of Funchal for a full-day guided hike from Santo da Serra to Ribeiro Frio along a classic Madeiran levada. This 25 km route threads laurel forest, tunnels and viewpoints that reveal the island’s volcanic spine.
Trade the bustle of Funchal for a full-day guided hike from Santo da Serra to Ribeiro Frio along a classic Madeiran levada. This 25 km route threads laurel forest, tunnels and viewpoints that reveal the island’s volcanic spine.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Pearl of the Atlantic · Santo da Serra, Madeira
A damp morning at Santo da Serra opens with tea steam and the clack of boots on a forest road. You step away from the village into a corridor of laurel and heather; the levada — a narrow irrigation channel — runs like a deliberate silver thread, inviting you forward while the valley slopes keep their slow watch.
challenging.
7–8 hours.
Suitable for hikers with good endurance—expect sustained walking over 25 km with some elevation change; prior long-hike experience recommended.
At roughly 25 km and 7–8 hours, it’s challenging in duration more than technicality—solid fitness and comfortable pace management are important.
Yes—short, unlit tunnels and some narrow levada ledges; guides provide safety briefings and a headlamp is recommended.
Private pickup and drop-off are included; confirm your exact pickup point at booking for hotel or port transfers.
Children must be accompanied by an adult; service animals are allowed but standard pets may be restricted—check with the operator.
Levadas were engineered from the 16th century to redistribute mountain water to cultivated terraces; the Laurisilva itself is a relic of ancient subtropical forests.
Stick to paths to protect fragile endemic plants; the Laurisilva is protected—avoid picking flora and minimize waste to support local conservation.
Pearl of the Atlantic operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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