Ribeira do Inferno is a scenic spot on the north coast of Madeira, just outside São Vicente. What draws people here is a deactivated section of the old ER101, the road that once carried traffic along this side of the island. It is now walked on foot: two tunnels, old and modern bridges in the same view, coastal panoramas and succulents growing straight out of the rock. A waterfall marks the entrance to the route. Rockfall and wet tunnel floors come with the ground.
Ribeira do Inferno
The trail is the old ER101 itself — tarmac, tunnels and bridges left in place after the road through the north of the island was taken out of service.
- Entrance
- Free — no admission charge.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: no step-free entrance and no accessible parking.
- Parking
- Free roadside parking by the waterfall, before the tunnel; around 10 spaces.
- Difficulty
- Old tarmac all the way, through two tunnels; wet floors inside and rockfall from the slope above. Walking times range from 20 minutes to 2.5 hours at a slow pace with stops.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stop: São Vicente (calhau), about 1.7 km away.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
What makes it special
The walk here is the old ER101 itself. The road once ran along the north of the island and was taken out of service; the tarmac, two of its tunnels and its bridges were left where they were. Water drips through the tunnel roofs. Succulents grow out of the rock walls, and tiny lizards run across the road surface. The old bridge and the modern one stand in the same view, with mountains closing the picture behind them. It draws fewer people than Madeira's headline viewpoints, and it rarely feels crowded.
Good to know
- Falling rocks. Stone comes down onto the old road from the slope above. Do not linger under the loose faces.
- Wet tunnels. Water drips through the roof of both tunnels and the floor stays slippery. An umbrella helps but is not essential.
- No facilities. No toilets, no drinking water and no information point within 5 km of the site.
- Crossing the road. The trail starts on the far side of the live ER101. Cross on foot with care.
- Turn back at the bridge. Past the bridge the scenery falls off; the stretch before it holds the interest.
Getting there
Ribeira do Inferno sits on the ER101 just outside São Vicente, on the north coast. Drivers pull in by the waterfall, before the tunnel, then cross the road and take the old road to the right. The alternative is to leave the car in São Vicente and walk in along the pavement, which brings you to the Água d'Alto waterfall at the entrance to the trail. Either way you cross the live road on foot. From that point on the surface is old tarmac.
Sun & daylight
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Ribeira do Inferno on the map
Rocks fall onto the old road from the slopes above. The two tunnels are wet underfoot and slippery. Reaching the start means crossing the live ER101 on foot.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the old road still open to cars?
No. This section of the ER101 was taken out of service and is now walked on foot.Do you need an umbrella in the tunnels?
Water drips through the roof of both tunnels. An umbrella makes the passage more comfortable, but it is not essential.How far along the old road is it worth walking?
As far as the bridge. That stretch carries the tunnels, the waterfall and the coastal views; beyond it there is much less to see.Is it crowded?
Less so than Madeira's better-known viewpoints. It is one of the quieter stops on the north coast.