Santana: Hiking Trails, Nature and Madeiran Cultural Heritage

Santana combines impressive hiking trails, the natural landscapes of northern Madeira and a vibrant cultural heritage. Those planning a trip can choose between longer levada hikes, shorter paths with sea views, forest landscapes and insights into traditional crafts and ways of life. This combination makes Santana a versatile destination for anyone who wants to spend their days actively, close to nature or with a varied cultural programme.

Hikes between Levadas, Mountains and Sea

A challenging option is the Levada da Silveira, also known as Levada de Santana. The moderately difficult trail is 8 kilometres long and takes 5 to 6 hours. It starts and ends at the E.R. 218, the Estrada do Pico das Pedras in Santana. When planning your day, you should take this route and the stated duration into account.

The Vereda da Rocha do Navio and the Caminho Real da Achada do Gramacho are shorter. The moderately difficult Vereda da Rocha do Navio is 1.5 kilometres long, takes 2 hours and starts and ends at the Teleférico da Rocha do Navio. It leads to the Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve. The also moderately difficult Caminho Real da Achada do Gramacho is 1.5 kilometres long and is listed as taking 45 minutes. It starts at the Estrada da Achada do Gramacho in Santana and ends at the Estrada do Calhau de São Jorge in São Jorge. During the descent, views open up over the sea, Calhau and the Cais Antigo de São Jorge.

The selection is extensive beyond individual trails too: Santana’s biosphere hiking trails cover more than 120 kilometres. This makes it possible to choose between a longer levada tour and shorter, clearly described routes when planning your trip.

Laurisilva, Viewpoints and Rocha do Navio

In the Parque Florestal das Queimadas in the Município Santana, you can experience the biodiversity typical of the laurel forest and walk or hike in direct contact with nature. Among other things, you can observe the endemic birds Bis-bis and Pombo-trocaz there. The park also provides access to the PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde and to a path towards Pico das Pedras.

For views across the landscape, there are the Miradouro do Curtado and the Miradouro do Picarouto. The Miradouro do Curtado is located at the entrance to the Freguesia Santana on the former Estrada Regional 103 and offers elevated views between the mountains and sea across Madeira’s north coast. The Miradouro do Picarouto is situated on the Estrada Regional 218, which connects Santana with the Achada do Teixeira plateau. From there, the view extends from São Jorge to Ponta de São Lourenço.

The ride on the Rocha do Navio cable car leads to a coastal fajã with waterfalls and a great variety of plant species from Madeira’s flora and fauna. Diving and hand-line fishing are also possible there.

Traditional Houses and Culture in Santana

Santana’s traditional houses are characteristic: They have a triangular shape, colourful façades and thatched roofs. The wooden buildings and their roofing are connected with locally available materials and the cultivation of grains such as wheat and rye. This local cultural heritage is preserved at the Núcleo de Casas Típicas de Santana, where there is also a wide selection of local, handmade and traditional products.

The Parque Temático da Madeira adds to this insight with cultural attractions such as the Aldeamento de Casas Típicas de Santana, the Quintinha, the Viagem Fantástica and the Pavilhão Júnior. Visitors can meet craftspeople who work with wool, linen, Madeira embroidery and materials for basket weaving. A traditional food shop and an old kitchen with a wood-fired oven, where Santana’s typical bread is made, also showcase the culinary side of the area.

Other cultural points of interest include the Casa da Cultura de Santana, with exhibitions, book presentations and performances by cultural groups. The Santana Municipal Library, art studios, a multimedia area and a branch of the Conservatório-Escola Profissional das Artes da Madeira are also located there. Next to the parish church, a fountain has been classified by the DRAC as a monument of local value since 2000.

Which Holiday Apartment Suits Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Santana, you can first decide what you want your trip to focus on: longer levada hikes, short paths with views, nature observation in the laurel forest or traditional culture. Those travelling with children can include the different durations and themes in their shared travel plan. For active days, the routes described provide specific distances and time estimates; for more leisurely discoveries, viewpoints, traditional houses, crafts and cultural offerings provide different programme options.

Discover More Places in Madeira

For further trip planning, you can also visit the pages about Santa Cruz, Ribeira Brava and Santo António Da Serra.

For the higher-level travel overview: Arco De Sao Jorge.