PR 5 - Vereda das Funduras
Also known as: Levada da Portela
- Location
- Porto da Cruz, Madeira
- Category
- Outdoor & Adventure / Hiking
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 150
- Distance
- 8.7 km (one way, 17.4 km out and back)
- Cost
- €4.50
Sunrise and Sunset on This Trail
- Sunrise over the open ocean at km 1.8 from the trailhead: Oct 25 to Feb 17. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunrise behind the mountain ridge at km 2.3 from the trailhead: Feb 22 to Oct 21. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Evening golden hour at km 2.7 from the trailhead: May 23 to Jul 19. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Evening golden hour at km 5.7 from the trailhead: May 10 to Aug 2. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunset behind the mountain ridge at km 5.7 from the trailhead: Feb 1 to Mar 3, Mar 16 to Sep 27, Oct 10 to Nov 10, Dec 3 to Jan 9. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Morning golden hour at km 6.0 from the trailhead: Aug 20 to Apr 23. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunrise over the open ocean at km 6.0 from the trailhead: Mar 25 to Apr 4, Sep 9 to Sep 19, Oct 30 to Feb 13. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
- Sunrise behind the mountain ridge at km 7.0 from the trailhead: Feb 23 to Apr 12, Aug 31 to Oct 20. Times computed from terrain for clear skies.
This 8.7 km medium-difficulty trail takes about 3 hours and begins at the Portela viewpoint, offering stunning views of Porto da Cruz and Faial on Madeira's north coast, with the landscape dominated by the imposing Penha d'Águia rock formation. The Vereda das Funduras traverses the lush Machico mountain range toward Maroços, passing through the native Laurissilva forest, a Natura 2000 site that serves as a vital habitat for the island's endemic flora and fauna.