Set on the Paul da Serra plateau, this walk offers a unique blend of open mountain scenery and lush pockets of vegetation. The levada begins surrounded by hardy heathers and mountain grasses shaped by the plateau’s cool winds and high altitude climate. As the route progresses, the landscape transitions into greener valleys where moss, ferns and young laurel trees thrive in the constant humidity.

Birdlife here includes kestrels gliding over the open plateau, firecrests darting through the shrubs and the occasional buzzard circling the valley below. The levada itself channels water from the high Serra do Paúl, demonstrating Madeira’s ingenious water-management system that has shaped both agriculture and daily life for centuries.

The highlight is Lagoa Dona Beja – a tranquil natural basin fed by a gentle waterfall that spills down polished volcanic rock. The lagoon’s clear, cold water reflects the surrounding greenery and the silence here is striking, broken only by the sound of falling water. For those who continue a little further, additional cascades and small pools await, offering peaceful spots to explore, rest and feel immersed in mountain nature.

This walk is not about challenge – it’s about calm beauty, open skies and connecting with Madeira’s softer side of the wilderness.