11 – Levada dos Prazeres – Ponta do Pargo

Full-Day Madeira Island Walk

11 – Levada dos Prazeres – Ponta do Pargo

The Levada dos Prazeres – Ponta do Pargo walk, is a pleasant Levada walk that starts in Prazeres, which is on the Southwest part of the island. We start walking West as we pass Raposeira, afterward we reach Fajã da Ovelha and keep walking towards Ponta do Pargo.

The walk is flat and quite easy along its entire length. The fact that it is located in the South and at an elevation of just 600 meters above sea level, makes this an adequate walk all year round.

On the first section of the walk, we have breathtaking views overlooking the fishing village of Paúl do Mar.

Along the way, we can see a few houses and observe the local people taking care of their agricultural fields and farm animals. On this fertile land, we will find crops of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Fruit trees also flourish here, such as the fig, the papaya, the lemon, and the apple trees.

After a while, the scenery starts to change to more lush vegetation, where we will find large trees, like pines and eucalyptus, which serve as a means of rapid reforestation.

In the more humid part of this Levada, it is also possible to find a few species belonging to the Laurissilva Forest (Laurel Forest), such as the Canary Laurels and the endemic Bay Trees.

Along this walk, we will find ourselves between the sea on the south side and the mountains on the north side. The colour contrast of the blue of the Atlantic sea and the green from the forest is what makes this walk astonishing.

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What to Bring?

According to the time of the year that you chose to walk in Madeira and taking into consideration our changeable weather, it is necessary to be well prepared for the Levada walks and the mountain trails.

Recommended Equipment