The PR9 Caldeirão Verde Levada Walk at an altitude of 990m in the municipality of Santana. This route has beginning and end in the Queimadas Forestry Park, a distance of 6.5 km (+ return 6.5km) in a time of 5h 30m (outward and return).
The Levada do Caldeirão Verde Walk begins in Queimadas Forest Park in front of the Shelter house, which retains the original features of the typical houses of Santana, featuring thatched roof.
In this park there are plant species tree highlighting some exotic specimens of elegant Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica); and other indigenous as cedar wood (Juniperus cedrus), the tilde (foetens Ocotea), the White Dick (Picconia excelsa), heather (Erica platycodon subsp. maderincola), rolling (Clethra arborea), Vaccinium Padifolium saw (Vaccinium padifolium).
This led, is an impressive work of art built in the eighteenth century, begins in the main bed of the Caldeirão Verde brook and crosses through steep cliffs and mountains, carrying the water that runs off the highest mountains of the island of Madeira, to irrigate the agricultural land of the parish of Faial. This led is an important route into the deep valley of the São Jorge Ribeira offering the walker a dizzying and spectacular view of the island within the landscape and the possibility of going through tunnels dug into the rock by man.
Along the way they are observed plant species belonging to the Laurissilva Forest Til and Vinhático highlighting the tilde (Ocotea foetens), laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), the rolling (Clethra arborea), the sanguinho (glandulosa Rhamnus), the perado (Ilex pected), Indian Paintbrush (Sonchus fruticosus), the Aderno (Heberdenia excelsa), morning glory (Convolvulus massonii), elderberry (Sambucus lanceolata), piorno (madeirensis Teline), the ISOPlexis (Isoplexis sceptrum) and rejoices field (Semele androgyna). Apart from these species can be seen at higher frequency the heather brooms and molar (Erica platycodon subsp. Maderincola and Erica arborea) and Vaccinium Padifolium saw (Vaccinium padifolium).
This route can also be seen species of indigenous birds highlighting the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), the bisbis (Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis), the Trocaz Pigeon (Columba trocaz trocaz), the Laundress (Grey Wagtail schmitzi) and the blanket (Buteo buteo harteti).
In the beginning of the route can be seen a small population center, it is the Achada of marques, site awarded the Protected Landscape status characterized by traditional farm terraces and old stone barns.
After passing through the 4 tunnels along the route, Caldeirão Verde appears on the left of and taken to get there, just climb a few meters along the stream bed. To pass these tunnels, a more extensive than others, attention is required because the floor is slippery.
The Caldeirão Verde lake is formed by water that protrudes vertically from the Green Cauldron Ribeiro bed at a height of approximately 100m.
After a little rest and enjoy the natural landscape and the spectacular waterfall, it’s time to go back to the same track to the Queimadas Forest Park.
Distance: 6.5 Km (+ 6.5 Km return)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 5.3 hours
Start/Finish: Queimadas Natural Park / E.R. 109 Queimadas Natural Park
Highest point/Lowest point: 980 m / 890 m
Warning tips: Tunnels during tour, carry light or torch;the path may be slippery; wear anti slip footwear;