Great News for Tourists: PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde Is Open Again
After a two-month closure due to landslides, one of Madeira’s most beautiful trails, PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde, is officially accessible again as of today. You can once again safely set off from the car park in Queimadas to the breathtaking waterfall.
- Who does this affect? All hiking and nature enthusiasts.
- What does this mean in practice? The trail is safe following repairs. However, please remember that the connecting section to Caldeirão do Inferno remains permanently closed due to unstable terrain. Please respect the prohibition signs.
- What do we recommend? Don’t forget that access to PR9 requires prior online registration and payment of a fee (€10.50 for non-residents) through the SIMplifica portal. Checks are carried out on the trail.
Status of Other Hiking Trails
Although PR9 is reopening, some other popular trails remain closed for maintenance or due to damage. These include PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada, PR 7 Levada do Moinho, and PR 10 Levada do Furado. Before any hike, please check the current status on the official IFCN website.
Important Safety Alert: First Responders on Strike
Professional firefighters and civil protection personnel in Madeira will begin a general strike tonight from 8:00 PM to demand better working conditions.
- Who is affected? Anyone outdoors and in the mountains, especially during the afternoon and evening.
- What does this mean in practice? Although minimum legal services will be guaranteed, the response time of rescue teams in an emergency could be significantly longer. Coordinating rescues in hard-to-reach terrain may be more complicated.
- What we recommend you do? Be extremely cautious today. Avoid unnecessary risks, do not use unofficial paths, and plan your return from your hike with a large time buffer, ideally before 8:00 PM.
Weather, Transport, and Local Warnings for Friday
Weather Forecast
Expect variable cloudiness today. Light showers may occur on the north coast and in the mountains. The wind may strengthen this evening on the eastern and western tips of the island, with gusts of up to 40 km/h. Views at higher altitudes (e.g., Pico do Areeiro) will likely be obscured by clouds. The south coast around Funchal should be the sunniest.
Driver Warning: Hazard on Road ER 222
If you are travelling by car to the west of the island in the Fajã da Ovelha area (Calheta municipality), drive with extreme caution on road ER 222. In the section between Faias and Lombada dos Marinheiros, there is a risk of large branches falling onto the road. Consider using the safer VE3 expressway.
Notice: Smoke Around Funchal
While in the Funchal Ecological Park (above the city, near the road to Pico do Areeiro), you may notice smoke and a burning smell today. This is due to a planned and controlled burn of plant waste near Ribeira das Cales. There is no cause for alarm.
Tips for This Afternoon and Evening
Looking for some culture and entertainment? At 3:00 PM, a large new mural dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo will be unveiled in the Santo António district of Funchal (Quinta Falcão). The highlight of the evening is a spectacular concert by the Madeira Military Band, taking place at 9:00 PM at Pier 8 (Cais 8) in Funchal’s harbour. Tickets are free, but you must pick them up in advance from the tourist information centre on Avenida Arriaga. Expect increased traffic in the area.