Madeira’s south coast has a secret. While hikers queue for SIMplifica permits for the PR6 and PR9 levada trails, the PR14 Levada Nova runs freely from Calheta to Ponta do Sol — no booking, no fee, no slot to secure. In 2026, when the most popular trails require advance reservations weeks ahead, this is the walk to have in your back pocket.
The Levada Nova is not a consolation prize. It is one of Madeira’s most historically interesting irrigation channels, built in the early 18th century to carry water from the mountains to the island’s fertile south-coast terraces. The route passes through active sugarcane fields, old banana plantations, and quiet agricultural hamlets that see a fraction of the visitors crowding Rabaçal and Queimadas. The Atlantic is visible for much of the walk, often hundreds of metres below, with the island of Porto Santo visible on clear days.
Trail Facts
| Official designation | PR14 Levada Nova |
| Distance | 11km one way (Calheta to Ponta do Sol) |
| Elevation gain | Minimal — the levada is nearly level throughout |
| Trailhead (west) | 32.7231° N, 17.1712° W — Calheta, near the marina |
| Trailhead (east) | 32.6798° N, 17.1048° W — Ponta do Sol village centre |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Duration | 3–4 hours (full route) |
| Permit required | None |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Nearest town (west) | Calheta |
| Nearest town (east) | Ponta do Sol |
Why It Matters in 2026
Since January 2026, Madeira’s four most popular PR trails — including the PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes and PR9 Caldeirão Verde — require advance reservations through SIMplifica (simplifica.madeira.gov.pt) at €4.50 per person. Weekend slots for these trails sell out three to four weeks ahead in summer. If you arrive in Madeira without pre-booked permits, or if you find both the PR6 and PR9 fully reserved for your dates, the Levada Nova is the most rewarding alternative on the island.
The PR14 is designated as an unclassified percurso — Madeira’s system reserves mandatory permits for the highest-footfall protected-forest trails. The Levada Nova runs primarily through farmland and is not subject to the same access management. Walk whenever you like.
The Route: Calheta to Ponta do Sol
The standard direction is west to east, starting at Calheta and finishing at Ponta do Sol, where buses and taxis connect back to Funchal. Calheta is easily reached by car or bus and has cafés and parking near the marina.
Calheta to Canhas (4km, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes)
The walk begins at the western levada intake near Calheta’s upper village. For the first kilometre the path climbs gently through terraced gardens before settling into the flat levada groove. The channel here is wide and clear, the water running fast from the mountains above.
At around the 2km mark the path opens up above the coastline. The village of Arco da Calheta is visible below, its church tower above a sea of banana palms. On clear mornings this section has some of the best Atlantic views on any levada trail — the south coast stretches east toward Funchal, and on very clear days the outline of Desertas Islands appears on the horizon.
The sugarcane terraces around Canhas are among the largest remaining on Madeira. The island produces rum (aguardente) from this cane, processed at the Engenho do Norte distillery nearby. This section is working farmland, not managed wilderness, which gives it an authenticity missing from the more touristy levada trails.
Canhas to Lugar de Baixo (3.5km, approximately 1 hour)
The middle section of the PR14 passes through the most agricultural stretch of the walk, where the levada crosses small stone bridges and dips between bamboo-shaded banks. Trailside farmhouses sell fresh fruit from roadside boxes — madeira bananas (smaller and sweeter than supermarket varieties), custard apples in season (September to November), and occasionally passion fruit.
At Lugar de Baixo the levada skirts the edge of a small airport runway — Madeira’s old civil aerodrome, now used for small aviation. The contrast between an irrigation channel from the 1700s and an aerodrome below it is one of those specifically Madeiran moments that don’t appear in guidebook descriptions.
Lugar de Baixo to Ponta do Sol (3.5km, approximately 1 hour)
The final section follows the levada into Ponta do Sol, a village that earns its name — it gets more daily sunshine than almost anywhere else on Madeira, protected from cloud by a natural bowl in the cliffs. Christopher Columbus’s wife was reportedly born here, though the specific house is a matter of local debate.
The levada ends near the village centre, where the channel feeds into a network of older irrigation terraces above the beach. The walk finishes at 32.6798° N, 17.1048° W, a five-minute walk from the bus stop for route 115 back to Funchal.
Trailhead Details
Calheta start point (32.7231° N, 17.1712° W): The trailhead is above the marina, reached via Rua do Lombo das Faias. Walk uphill from the marina for approximately 800 metres until you reach the levada channel — it is signposted PR14 at the junction. Parking is available near the marina (free) and in the upper village.
Ponta do Sol start point (32.6798° N, 17.1048° W): If walking east to west, begin at the levada intake above the village centre. The village is compact and the levada signposting starts from the main square.
Getting There
By bus: Horários do Funchal route 142 connects Funchal to Calheta (approximately 1 hour, several daily departures). Route 115 connects Funchal to Ponta do Sol (approximately 45 minutes). Current timetables at horariosfunchal.pt — confirm times before travelling as weekend services differ from weekday.
By car: From Funchal, the VE1 coastal expressway reaches Calheta in 30–35 minutes. Ponta do Sol is 20–25 minutes. The route is well-signed from the main road. Park at Calheta marina (free) and arrange a taxi from Ponta do Sol for the return, or take the bus back.
By taxi: A taxi from Funchal to Calheta costs approximately €30–40 as of 2026. Return from Ponta do Sol to Funchal costs approximately €25–35. Pre-arrange with a Funchal hotel or use a taxi app — Ponta do Sol is a small village and taxis are not always available without advance notice.
By guided tour: Some Madeira walking operators run PR14 tours, typically as a half-day morning walk. These include transport from Funchal and a guide, though for a trail this well-marked, a guide adds mainly local agricultural context rather than navigation assistance. Browse Madeira levada tours.
Accommodation Near the Trailhead
Ponta do Sol — Solar da Bica (guesthouse, approximately €80–120 per room per night as of 2026): A restored quinta in Ponta do Sol village, well-positioned for an early start or a finish-line stay. Four rooms, local breakfast included.
Calheta — Calheta Beach Hotel (4-star, approximately €120–180 per room per night as of 2026): The main hotel in Calheta, directly above the marina and beach. Closest large hotel to the western trailhead.
Calheta area — Casa de Turismo Rural options (approximately €70–110 per room per night as of 2026): Several rural tourism houses (casas de campo) are scattered through the villages above Calheta, some overlooking the levada path itself. Booking.com and local tourism listings surface these under Calheta, Arco da Calheta, and Jardim do Mar.
What to Bring
The Levada Nova has no tunnels, no scrambling, and no technical sections. The kit list is shorter than for the PR9 or PR6:
- Waterproof shoes or trail shoes (the levada path is occasionally muddy after rain)
- Sun protection — the south-coast path is exposed for much of its length
- 1.5 litres of water per person (there are no reliable drinking water points on the trail)
- Snacks — no cafés on the levada path itself, though the villages at either end have options
- Fully charged phone with offline map downloaded
A headtorch is not required — there are no tunnels and the walk is done entirely in daylight.
Comparing the PR14 to Other Madeira Levada Trails
The Levada Nova is best understood in context of what surrounds it:
The PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes (8.8km return, €4.50 permit) leads to a volcanic lake surrounded by 25 natural springs. It is Madeira’s most photographed levada destination and the most heavily booked trail in summer. The PR14 does not match it for drama, but exceeds it for agricultural character and accessibility.
The PR9 Caldeirão Verde (13km return, €4.50 permit) is Madeira’s tunnel walk — four unlit passages through cliff rock leading to a waterfall amphitheatre. It requires a headtorch and more confidence in enclosed spaces. The PR14 is for those who want the levada experience without tunnel sections.
The Levada das 25 Fontes and PR9 together represent Madeira’s permit-required highlights. The PR14 is their quieter, permit-free alternative. See our Madeira levada walks overview for full trail comparisons.
For broader Madeira planning — including where to stay, day trips, and seasonal advice — see the Madeira island guide.