Levada do Poiso is a walking route on the slopes above Curral das Freiras, the village in Nuns Valley in the interior of Madeira. It follows an irrigation channel, called a levada on the island, and connects with the Levada do Pico Furão to form a short route through quiet country. It is known for its views across the valley. It is not one of Madeira's classified hiking trails.
Levada do Poiso
Local name: Levada do Poiso - Levada do Pico Furão
Quiet levada walk above Curral das Freiras, with views across the interior of Nuns Valley.
Levada do Poiso on the map
- Route length
- 2.3 km
- Entrance
- Free: outside Madeira's fee system for classified trails.
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Path beside a levada with open edges, then a descent to the village; the start is easy to miss.
- Parking
- Street parking near the start; the nearest car parks are about 1.6 km and 2.9 km away in a straight line.
- Transport
- Pico Furão-Final stop, about 510 m away in a straight line; Pico Furão 4A stop, about 680 m.
- Advance booking
- No booking needed: the trail is outside Madeira's official trail booking system.
What makes it special
Nuns Valley opens beside the path, with Curral das Freiras at the bottom and the mountains of Madeira's interior standing round it. Walked together with the Levada do Pico Furão, this levada keeps that view in front of you. The path is quiet.
It is short, too, which makes it easy to pair with something else: harder hikes break off from it, and you can get a poncha, Madeira's rum drink, a few minutes away.
The route
At the start, leave the street and follow the path to the levada. Finding the beginning is the awkward part: guideposts stand in the area, yet the way in is easy to miss.
On the levada, the path runs beside the channel with Nuns Valley open alongside, and the Levada do Pico Furão connects with it. At the bridge you have a choice to make. Past it the way goes up, and that stretch is for the adventurous.
Off the levada, harder hikes break away from the route if you want a longer day. Otherwise head down to Curral das Freiras and walk back to your car by the dead-end road, which closes the loop.
Good to know
- Navigation: the start is easy to miss and the route branches, so load the line on your phone before you set out.
- Supplies: no toilets or drinking water on the trail or close to it. Fill up before you come.
- Status: this is an unclassified trail, and IFCN, the body behind Madeira's official trail system, takes no responsibility for it.
Getting there
By car, you leave it on the street near the start and follow the path to the levada on foot. The nearest car parks are about 1.6 km and 2.9 km away in a straight line, so the street is the closer choice.
Without a car, there are two stops within reach: Pico Furão-Final, about 510 m away in a straight line, and Pico Furão 4A, about 680 m. Confirm the route and the last departure before you set out.
The loop brings you down to Curral das Freiras and back along the dead-end road, so a walker who parked at the start needs no onward transport.
Best time to visit
Best: a clear, dry day, with the sun well up.
Avoid: rain and low cloud.
The views into Nuns Valley are the reason to come, and they go when cloud settles over the interior or when the deep valley falls into shadow early and late in the day, while rain makes the path slippery beside its open edges.
Things to do nearby
All tours in Curral das Freiras on GetYourGuide
Paid links: booking through them supports YowJourney.
Sun & daylight
Along the route
Similar Places
Levada do Poiso on the map
Stretches of the levada path run along open slopes with unfenced edges, and the surface turns slippery when wet. Keep to the inner side, and step back from the edge when you stop to look at the view.
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Frequently asked questions
Where do you park for Levada do Poiso?
There is street parking near the start, and a path leads from there to the levada. The nearest car parks are about 1.6 km and 2.9 km away in a straight line.Can Levada do Poiso be walked as a loop?
Yes. Combine it with the Levada do Pico Furão, go down to Curral das Freiras and walk back to your car by the dead-end road.Can you reach the trail by public transport?
There are two stops in the area: Pico Furão-Final, about 510 m away in a straight line, and Pico Furão 4A, about 680 m.Are there toilets or drinking water on the trail?
No, there are none on the trail or close to it. Fill up before you come.Is there a harder option from Levada do Poiso?
Yes. Past the bridge the way goes up, and more demanding hikes break off from the route.