Calheta: Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture in Madeira

Calheta combines impressive natural experiences, short hiking trails, levadas, culture and water sports to create a varied destination in Madeira. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can choose their accommodation based on their preferred holiday activities: Should a hike be the main focus, an excursion into the Laurissilva forest, a visit to a museum or time by the sea?

Hiking between Levadas and Viewpoints

For longer hiking experiences, the Levada Nova da Calheta is a good choice. It is approximately 40 kilometres long and has only minor elevation differences between 600 and 700 metres. The levada passes through humid areas with species of Madeira’s Laurissilva forest and crosses numerous streams and their tributaries. This makes it possible to combine a hike with scenic impressions and the island’s distinctive vegetation.

Those who prefer shorter routes will find two clearly described alternatives in the PR 19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar and the PR 20 Vereda do Jardim do Mar. The PR 19 is 1.8 kilometres long and leads from Prazeres to Paul do Mar. The PR 20 is 1.9 kilometres long and connects Prazeres with Jardim do Mar. Both paths are classified as moderately difficult hiking trails. Another short, easy footpath of approximately 600 metres leads to the viewpoint of Cascata da Garganta Funda, a waterfall approximately 140 metres high.

Rabaçal: Laurissilva, Tranquillity and Panoramic Views

The Centro de Receção do Rabaçal offers permanent exhibitions on the history of Rabaçal, Madeira’s native Laurissilva forest, the levadas and the region’s network of paths, as well as recommended hiking trails in Madeira. The Miradouro do Rabaçal provides an unobstructed view of the island’s largest valley covered by Laurissilva. Rabaçal is part of the Natura 2000 network and is integrated into the Parque Natural da Madeira; the area is classified as a zone of tranquillity and silence.

Other viewpoints also offer their own distinctive highlights. The Miradouro da Achada de Santo Antão provides a panoramic view of Vila Arco da Calheta. At the western end of Madeira, the Miradouro do Farol da Ponta do Pargo is located on a 290-metre-high cliff. From there, the panoramic view extends across the Atlantic and the surrounding rock formations.

Culture, History and Local Distinctive Features

The MUDAS – Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira focuses on contemporary art, offering a cultural contrast to Calheta’s nature and hiking themes. Historical traces can also be found at the Engenho da Calheta, one of the oldest sugar-cane mills in Madeira. Madeira rum is produced there through controlled fermentation and careful distillation. In Paul do Mar, the still-visible chimney of the former factory recalls the area’s former fishing activity.

The Igreja do Espírito Santo features Manueline and Mannerist stylistic characteristics. Three annual religious festivals are celebrated there: the Feast of the Holy Spirit on Whit Sunday, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament and the Feast of Nossa Senhora dos Bons Caminhos on the last Sunday in September. In Jardim do Mar, narrow streets, low houses surrounding the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the ruins of an old sugar-cane mill shape the townscape.

Beaches, Waves and Active Holidays

Praia de Areia da Calheta is a beach approximately 100 metres long with a sunbathing area of around 7,300 square metres. Water sports enthusiasts use the beach for activities including canoeing and windsurfing. Praia do Calhau is a pebble beach near the centre of the municipality of Calheta; it has a large sunbathing area, changing rooms, toilets and a bar with a terrace.

Jardim do Mar is of interest to experienced surfers because of its swell, and several international surfing competitions have already been held there. Surfers also appreciate the waves of Paul do Mar. Those who prefer to travel on land will find good natural conditions for downhill and enduro cycling in the municipality of Calheta.

Choose Calheta as a Starting Point

When looking for accommodation in Calheta, it helps to determine your main travel interests. Hiking enthusiasts can combine the long levadas and the paths around Prazeres with natural experiences in Rabaçal. For culture enthusiasts, the MUDAS, churches, sugar-cane history and the documentation on Madeira’s lighthouses are the main attractions. Those who want to bring together different interests within a travel group can combine hiking, viewpoints, beaches, water sports and cultural visits into a varied programme. From Funchal, the municipal access route follows the Via Rápida VR 1 towards Ribeira Brava and then the Via Expresso VE 3 towards Calheta; the drive to the centre takes approximately 30 minutes.

For further travel comparisons, you can also view Vila Baleira, Porto Santo, Madeira, Curral Das Freiras, Caniço, Jardim Do Mar, Ponta Do Sol and Arco De Sao Jorge.

To the higher-level travel overview: Madeira.