Levada da Rocha Vermelha (PR 28)
Levada da Rocha Vermelha is a levada walk from Fanal to Casa dos Guardas de Canal in Lombo da Atouguia. The IFCN table gives 10.7 km between those points. Entry costs €4.50 per person, booked online through SIMplifica.
- Status
- ClosedClosed. IFCN table dated 14 September 2026 · checked by islandmadeira.com 24 September 2026 at 21:19, Madeira time.Fetch the current trail status from the IFCN page; one live request per 30 minutes for the whole site, otherwise the last check is shown.
- Length
- 10.7 kmIFCN table, Fanal to Casa dos guardas de canal (Lombo da Atouguia).The board at the start gives 10.8 km, Fanal (ER 209) to Casa dos Guardas de Canal (Lombo da Atouguia).
- Time on the board
- 4 h 00 mOne way, as printed on the panel at the start.
- Highest and lowest point
- 1,297 m and 837 m
- Start and finish
- Fanal (ER 209) to Casa dos Guardas de Canal (Lombo da Atouguia)From the route board at the start.
- Fee
- €4.50 per person, booked onlineBooking on the SIMplifica portal, fees as of 2 June 2026. Free for children aged 12 or under, for Madeira residents with their resident card and citizen card, and for anyone with a disability of 60% or more plus one companion. All of them still need a booking.
- At the start
- information board at Fanal (ER 209)
- Coordinates
- Start 32.78161, -17.12709
Finish 32.74605, -17.14722From the IFCN route board, decimal degrees - Weather now
- 24.9 °C at Porto Moniz, 6 m
18.8 °C at Pico do Areeiro, 1,818 mThe two IPMA stations we show for this route, the nearest one and the island’s mountain station, observed 24 September 2026 at 20:00, Madeira time
The IFCN table lists this route as closed. What follows describes the walk and the booking rules for when it opens again.
Warnings come from IPMA by zone, not by trail. A yellow warning for fog, wind or thunderstorms is a reason to check the route status and the sky before you set off, and the forest service closes paths on its own schedule. Station readings.
From Fanal to the levada
Start on the ER 209 at Fanal. Follow PR 13 Vereda do Fanal to the turn on the left towards Levada da Rocha Vermelha. The route board gives 10.8 km from Fanal (ER 209) to Casa dos Guardas de Canal in Lombo da Atouguia.
Information boards are marked at both ends. Access to the levada is also possible from PR 6 Levada das 25 Fontes at a higher level.
Waterfalls and the Rabaçal valley
The walk passes waterfalls and natural viewpoints over the Rabaçal valley and Ribeira da Janela. Laurissilva forest covers the valleys. Along the route is a steep staircase beside the levada. Water rushes down the change in level here.
The channel is also called Água do Vimieiro. It starts at Ribeira da Fajã dos Remos. It gathers water from tributaries and springs inside the tunnel on its way to the small loading chamber at Rocha Vermelha.
Tunnels and footing
Check that the route suits your fitness and equipment before booking. There are tunnels along the way. Bring a torch. Wear non-slip footwear for a path that may be slippery.
Pack warm clothing and a waterproof coat. The weather changes frequently. The route board gives a highest point of 1,297 m and a lowest point of 837 m.
Booking Levada da Rocha Vermelha
Register on the SIMplifica portal to book online. You can't book or pay at IFCN offices. Choose an entry slot with space available. Same-day and next-day bookings are possible while places remain.
A slot closes when it fills. Allow for about 15 minutes of tolerance before or after your booked time. Free entry still needs registration and a booking.
Check the status before you go
Look at the status panel on this page for PR 28's current access status. I'd use its ‘Check the status now’ button before setting off. A weather warning doesn't automatically close a route. IFCN's status decides.
The weather readings here come from Porto Moniz at 6 m above sea level and Pico do Areeiro at 1,818 m. This walk runs between those two heights.
What the route board asks
- As it is a foothpath that demonstrates some technical and physical particularities, make sure that it is suitable for your physical condition and/or that you have the necessary equipment.
- Weather is subject to frequent changes, take warm clothing and waterproof coat.
- Carry a flashlight, there are tunnels along way.
- The path may be slippery, so wear non-slip footwear.
From the IFCN board at the start of the route. Taxis listed on the board: Taxis Calheta +351 291 822 129; Porto Moniz +351 291 852 243.
Routes next door
Levada do Barreiro PR 4
partly open6.7 km, Poço da Neve to Casa do Barreiro
Levada Velha do Rabaçal PR 6.4
open5 km, Pico Gordo to Casa do Rabaçal
Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo PR 6.6
open2.3 km, Zona de lazer da Caldeira (Estrada Dr. Roberto Ornelas to “Garagem”) to Casa do Rabaçal
Status from the IFCN table, re-read at every build and again in your browser.
Questions before you go
How long does Levada da Rocha Vermelha take?
The route board allows 4 hours one way for its 10.8 km walk. Its start is Fanal on the ER 209. Its finish is Casa dos Guardas de Canal in Lombo da Atouguia. Plan around that one-way timing.
Do I need a guide for PR 28?
No. A guide isn't compulsory on Madeira's classified routes. You'll still need an entry booking through SIMplifica. Check the live status before travelling. Make sure the route suits your fitness and the equipment you have.
Who can walk PR 28 for free?
Children aged 12 or under enter free. Madeira residents need their resident card and citizen card for free entry. People with a disability of 60% or more enter free with one companion. Everyone covered by these exemptions still needs to register and book online through SIMplifica.
Does a day fee cover PR 28?
Yes. For two or more routes, the day fee is €9.00. Three days cost €22.50. Seven days cost €52.50. Each route needs its own booking. SIMplifica applies the cheapest option automatically. These fees never include PR 1, which costs €10.50 for the full route. Most classified routes cost €4.50 per person individually.
Can I get a refund if it rains?
Rain alone doesn't qualify. Refunds or rescheduling apply only when IFCN closes or restricts the route. Email IFCN within 10 working days to request either. A change of mind or illness means losing the fee. A missed flight does too.
Sources
- IFCN, table of classified routes: status and length. IFCN table dated · checked by islandmadeira.com ; re-read every few hours.
- IFCN, route board PR 28 at the start of the route: distance, time, heights, description and cautions, read 20 September 2026.
- IFCN, fees and bookings FAQ, updated 2 June 2026, read 14 September 2026.
Who checked this
Roman Antonov, editor. The status comes from the forest service table, the figures from the board at the start of the route and the fee rules from the IFCN FAQ, each with its date above. If something on the ground has changed, tell me.
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