Northern Madeira

The famous black beach in Seixal, the volcanic cave in São Vicente, or the Rabacal Valley – these are just a few of the wonderful attractions of Madeira’s northern coast!

The northern part of Madeira is decidedly colder and wilder compared to the rest of the island. Despite the harsh conditions, the first settlers arrived here at the end of the 15th century. Interestingly, they came by sea because crossing the island was practically impossible. Dense forests and high mountains prevented the people of northern Madeira from freely traveling across the island for several centuries. Today, Northern Madeira is as well-connected as the rest of the island, but there are significantly fewer tourists here compared to the south. It is the perfect part of the island for those seeking relaxation and peace!

The map with marked locations is at the very bottom! (click here)

Table of contents:

1. Seixal and the black beach ***
2. ER101 road (Antiga ER101)
3. Paul da Serra plateau
4. Rabacal Valley ***
   • Levada das 25 Fontes
   • Levada do Risco
   • Other trails

Seixal and the black beach ***

A small town located off the main tourist routes, which was established only in the 16th century. On the surrounding slopes, the residents cultivate grapes and tropical fruits. What is it about this little town that attracts hordes of tourists? Natural pools (Piscinas Naturais do Seixal), formed from volcanic craters, filled by ocean waves, and… the famous black beach with a wonderful view of the surrounding cliffs. This place must be seen with your own eyes!

ER101 road (Antiga ER101)

Not far from Seixal, there is also a viewpoint called the Bride’s Veil (Miradouro do Véu da Noiva), named after the shape of the waterfall. Under the waterfall, an old ER101 road tunnel runs, which once connected all the northern villages before modern tunnels were opened. In many places, the road is now closed, but some sections are still passable. The route offers incredible views as it runs along the ocean, but it also provides a proper dose of adrenaline! It is narrow, winding, in some places one-way, and sometimes on one side there is a cliff, and on the other, the ocean! It is quite a challenge, even for an experienced driver! Before taking this road, it is recommended to purchase additional insurance, and it is strictly prohibited to drive during bad weather conditions!

Paul da Serra plateau

The Paul da Serra plateau is known as the “sponge of Madeira” – its volcanic soil absorbs water during rainfall, making it a natural reservoir. The slowly filtered water seeps into nearby springs, feeding local streams and levadas. The plateau is situated at an altitude of 1400-1500 meters and also serves as a vast pasture for cows, which often enjoy taking a nap in the middle of the road.

We only passed through the plateau, but we still managed to come across cows resting and walking in the middle of the road. I recommend caution, as you never know who might be taking a nap around the corner.

Rabacal Valley ***

A favorite spot for hiking enthusiasts, the starting point of the most popular walking trails in Madeira, making it one of the busiest places on the island. Walking along the levadas is one of the most popular activities in Madeira, offering the opportunity to admire the laurel forest, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

During my stay in Madeira, we visited the Rabacal Valley on Carnival Day (the last day of Carnival – February 21, 2023), which meant there weren’t many people. We learned that Madeirans celebrate this day when we were waiting for the bus! Many people arrived with small children, unaware of the holiday, and many gave up after waiting for a long time with no transport available. The descent to the starting point adds about 4 kilometers in both directions to the trails.

Parking coordinates: 32.75526, -17.13425

Bus: €3 one-way, €5 round trip

So, how about the bus on a holiday? The bus arrived! 🙂

Levada das 25 Fontes

Levada das 25 Fontes is probably the most popular trail, which also makes it the most crowded. The goal of this trail is the lagoon with 25 waterfalls, which in reality looks a bit different from what you might imagine. At the end of the trail, there is a small lake, into which several smaller cascades flow, along with one larger waterfall, but I wouldn’t exactly call it 25 waterfalls! During light rainfall, the lagoon looks quite average, so it’s worth checking the weather and visiting after heavy rains!

The trail descends about 100-200 meters down stairs. While the descent is not too difficult, the ascent back up might pose some minor challenges.

Distance: approx. 5 km

Time: approx. 2:30 h

Difficulty: easy

You can find descriptions of other Madeira trails HERE!

Levada do Risco

The start of the trail runs along the same path as Levada das 25 Fontes for a short stretch. The route is very easy, with no inclines, short, and the reward is a waterfall cascading from a cliff over 100 meters high! Another advantage is that it is not as popular and crowded as the previous trail, the lagoon with 25 waterfalls.

Distance: approx. 2.6 km

Time: 1:10 h

Difficulty: very easy

You can find descriptions of other Madeira trails HERE!

Other trails:

You can find descriptions of other Madeira trails HERE!

Map

If my article helped you plan your route and gather the necessary information, I would be grateful for your support in making my dreams come true by buying me a coffee!