PR10 Levada do Furado (Ribeiro Frio to Portela)

The PR10 Levada do Furado runs from Ribeiro Frio to Portela in the mountains north-east of Funchal on Madeira, Portugal. It follows an irrigation channel along the hillside through laurisilva forest and is one of the longer levada routes on the island. The trailhead is at Ribeiro Frio, on the ER103 road in Santana municipality, about 20 km from Funchal. Visitors reach it by taxi or bus from Funchal, and the return from Portela is by bus to Machico or Funchal, with an intermunicipal fare of around €2.60 in cash. A SIMplifica reservation is required, at €4.50 per person. The route is about 11 km one-way and takes 4 to 5 hours. The channel is mostly level, with about 250 m of cumulative gain, so difficulty comes from length and exposure rather than climbing. The surface is a narrow ledge of concrete and earth beside the water, with several tunnels and some sections where the path has a steep drop on one side. A head for heights and a head torch are important. Shade is generous in the forested parts, while open slopes give views across the valleys toward the peaks of the central massif. Landmarks include the forest at Ribeiro Frio, the tunnel sections and the descent toward Portela, where the route ends near a viewpoint. Because the walk is one-way, there are few safe places to turn back midway, and walkers should commit to the full distance or plan to retrace their steps. No huts are on the route, so water and food should be carried. The exposed sections are best in dry weather, as wet stone is slippery.