PR 9 – Caldeirão Verde

The Green Cauldron Masterpiece

Avstånd

13 km (Return)

Varaktighet

4 timmar - 5 timmar

Svårighetsgrad

Måttlig

Status

✅ ÖPPEN

⚠️ Mandatory Trail Fee (€4.50) As of January 2025, PR 9 is a paid trail. You must have your IFCN permit ready for inspection.

Pay Trail Fee ➜

⚠️ INFERNO SECTION CLOSED The main trail to Caldeirão Verde (13km) is OPEN. However, the extension to Caldeirão do Inferno (an extra 4km) is currently CLOSED due to rockfall. Do not pass the barriers.

🕐 Bästa tiden att besöka

Before 9am

Best

10am – 2pm

Packed

After 3pm

Tystnad

💡 Proffstips: Queimadas Park is one of the most magical places on the island but the parking is tiny. If you arrive after 10:00 AM, you will likely have to park 2km down the road.

⚠️ Teknisk svårighetsgrad

Risk för yrsel Medium 🟠

Fysisk ansträngning Medium (lång) 🟠

Banans yta Mud/Wet 🟠

Head Safety Tunnels 🔴

Why Hike Caldeirão Verde?

Den PR 9 is widely considered the most beautiful levada forest walk in Madeira. You are immersed in a UNESCO World Heritage Laurisilva forest that feels like a fairytale.

The trail features four hand-carved tunnels and ends at the “Green Cauldron” (Caldeirão Verde)—a majestic 100m waterfall dropping into a cold, emerald pool surrounded by vertical green walls.

Karta över leden

From Queimadas Forestry Park to the Waterfall.

Steg-för-steg-guide

1

Queimadas Park (Start)

Start at the fairy-tale thatched houses in Queimadas. The path is wide and lined with massive Japanese Cedar trees.
2

The Levada Narrowing

After 2km, the path narrows significantly. You will walk along the Levada wall with railings protecting you from the steep drop.
3

The 4 Tunnels

You will pass through four separate tunnels carved into the rock. Some are long and dark. Mind your head!
4

The Waterfall (Finish)

You arrive at the massive rock amphitheater. The waterfall is slender but incredibly high. It’s a perfect picnic spot.

📸 Bästa fotoplatserna

🏠 Queimadas Houses

The traditional Santana-style thatched houses at the start are iconic. Early morning fog makes them look mystical.

🌳 The “Window” Trees

Certain trees have grown over the path creating natural “windows” framing the village of São Jorge far below.

💦 The Cauldron

Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full height of the 100m waterfall inside the green rock chamber.

Faciliteter och bekvämligheter

🚌 Buss None nearby

☕ Café Queimadas (Start)

🚻 Toaletter Queimadas (Paid)

🅿️ Parkering Paid (Limited)

Hur man tar sig dit

Kör till Santana on the north coast. Follow signs for “Parque Florestal das Queimadas”. The road up is paved but narrow.

🛑 Parking Strategy

The main car park is small and paid (coins only). If it is full, you must drive back down 2km and walk up. Arrive by 9:00 AM to secure a spot!

Förarens perspektiv

🚘 Driving through the Forest

Magical but narrow approach.

Vägens skick Paved/Narrow

Passing Difficult

Parkering The main issue

Vår rekommendation för uthyrning: The final 3km up to the park are on a single-lane road with passing places. A smaller car is easier to maneuver when you meet a bus coming down. This is Madeira Island recommends their compact range for Santana trips.

Hitta din perfekta bil

Viktig utrustning

Headlamp/Torch: There are 4 tunnels. Phone lights are weak and you risk hitting your head on low rocks.
Vattentät jacka: The tunnels drip water constantly, and the forest is humid.
Head Protection: Tall people should watch out; the tunnel ceilings are low and jagged!

🍹 Efter vandringen: Var ska man äta?

Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas

Right at the finish line. This charming thatched cottage serves hot chocolate, coffee, and slices of cake. It feels like stepping into a storybook.