This is a course which goes along 10 kilometres and can easily be walked by everyone, as there is no difficulty or risk. The first eight kilometres are a path of levelled ground, from Ribeiro Frio until the house of Divisão das Águas (water division), through the walkway of Serra do Faial, and you may walk freely among the trees and plants not having to worry with descents or ascents. The remaining two kilometres are descent until the Miradouro da Portela (Portela's balcony).

The walk starts underneath the Posto Florestal of Ribeiro Frio which is in fact an excellent place to watch some endemic plants of Madeira, and also the famous trout farm!

The access to the Levada is done through a track by the right side of the main road. In this levada we can watch the plants that grow in wet and dark environments. The Madeira Orchid, the Anemone-Leaved Stork's Bill, the Yellow Fox Glove, the Pride Of Madeira, the Mandon's Chrysanthemum, the Goivos da Serra and the Burnt Sow Thistle are some of the species that flourish in Spring and in Summer, turning this Levada in a colourful place. The Bay Tree (Laurus azorica), the Lily of the Valley Tree or the Besom Heath are the trees that paint with green this picture already coloured by the flowers. In addition to this view we can add the sounds of the Madeira Firecrest, the Blackbird, the Chaffinch and the Grey Wagtail. Then there comes the house of Divisão das Águas and now we leave the Levada and descend about 200 meters until the Posto Florestal of Lamaceiros. If you want to charge batteries, this is the ideal place for a picnic. With the energy gained, it is time to follow by the land path ahead. Pay attention to the signs that will help you to find the end of this walk, the Miradouro da Portela. Enjoy!

Bibliography

Quintal, Raimundo (2004). Levadas e Veredas da Madeira. Funchal: Francisco Ribeiro & Filhos, Lda.

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