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PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde

PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde — the trail guide

The PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a 16.8 km trek in Portugal, typically walked in 1 day, with 1000 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (60 m of gain per km, topping out at 1273 m).

PR 9 traces an 18th-century irrigation levada from Queimadas Forest Park, above Santana on Madeira's wet north coast, deep into the UNESCO-listed laurisilva. The path clings to the channel on narrow ledges above ravines, ducks through a series of unlit tunnels, and ends in a rock amphitheatre where the Caldeirão Verde waterfall drops into a green pool. Most walk it out and back in half a day; a rougher continuation climbs on to Caldeirão do Inferno. IFCN charges an entry fee, booked online.

Quick facts

Distance16.8 km
Total ascent1000 m
Typical duration1 day
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness60 m gain per km
High point1273 m
CountryPortugal
RegionPortugal

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 887 m · high point 1273 m · 1000 m total ascent over 16.8 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1278 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan10°118 mm
Feb10°113 mm
Mar10°117 mm
Apr12°101 mm
May13°71 mm
Jun15°10°82 mm
Jul17°11°35 mm
Aug18°12°41 mm
Sep17°12°74 mm
Oct16°11°128 mm
Nov13°129 mm
Dec11°135 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde?

The PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde is 16.8 km, and most hikers complete it in 1 day. Total elevation gain is 1000 m.

How difficult is the PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 60 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1273 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the PR 9 — Levada do Caldeirão Verde?

In Portugal. The route starts near 32.770, -16.949 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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