Waterfalls on Madeira
The island of Madeira is mountainous, particularly the interior. Several peaks rise to 1,800 meters including Pico Ruivo at 1,862 meters, Pico das Torres at 1,853 meters and Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters.
These mountains are cut by several deep valleys and are home to some spectacular waterfalls.
Walking and hiking are popular activities for visitors to Madeira in the scarcely-populated interior of the island.
"Madeira" means "wood" in Portuguese and the laurisilva forest that remains on the northern hills of Madeira once covered the whole island as well as The Azores and the Canary Islands, and was, at one time, widespread in Europe.
Laurisilva forest, made up of laurel-leaved, evergreen hardwoods, supports a rich plant and animal diversity including bryophytes, ferns and flowering plants and the endemic Madeiran long-toed pigeon. The forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Numerous trails lead through the forest. They often follow the irrigation channels or levadas that crisscross the island and bring the visitor to many of these lovely falls.
The maps.me app is useful for finding all the falls listed below.
25 Fontes Falls (Cascata das Vinte e Cinco Fontes)
The 25 Fontes Falls (Cascata das Vinte e Cinco Fontes) is an impressive series of falls at Rabaçal on the Paul da Serra plateau.
The Levada das 25 Fontes leads to 25 Fontes ("25 Springs") a serene pool fed by several falls with the highest being around 30 meters.
Risco Waterfall
Risco means "risk" in English and this waterfall in the Rabaçal area is 100 meters high, hence possibly the name.
It is close to Cascata das Vinte e Cinco Fontes on the Levada do Risco trail.
Agua D'Alto Waterfall
The Agua D'Alto Waterfall is in the north of the island close to the small town of Faial.
Follow the Levada Agua D’Alto trail to the falls. The Agua D'Alto waterfall is formed by the Ribeira do Faial river, which flows through the forest and drops approximately 30 meters (98 feet) into a crystal-clear pool below. The pool is surrounded by lush green vegetation and rock formations, making it a popular spot for swimming and picnicking. As with all the falls on Madeira there is more water in winter than in summer.
Cascata dos Anjos
The Cascata dos Anjos ("Waterfall of Angels") falls down a sheer rock face onto the E.R.101 road and in to the sea.
It is one of the most picturesque and photographed falls on Madeira.
The beautiful waterfall can be reached by hire car from Funchal. A natural car wash, the Cascata dos Anjos waterfall is about 30 minutes' drive west of Funchal.
Caldeirão Verde
The Caldeirão Verde ("Green Cauldron") can be reached on the Levada do Caldeirão Verde walk from Queimadas with its thatched cottages in the north of the island. The walk continues on to another waterfall the Caldeirão do Inferno.
Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens in Funchal are a good place to see some falls if you don't have the time or energy to hike the interior. The gardens opened in 1960 on grounds previously owned by William Reid, founder of the five-star, luxury Reid's Hotel, now known as the Belmond Reid's Palace. The Botanical Garden also includes an aviary with 300 exotic birds. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is another fine garden close to Funchal.
Água d'Alto Waterfall, São Vicente
The Água d'Alto Waterfall in São Vicente is an impressive waterfall on the coast road to Seixal and Porto Moniz. Not to be confused with the Água d'Alto in Faial in the east of Madeira in the municipality of Santana, the waterfall is one of the highest on the island at around 150 meters.
It is located just before the entrance to the São Vicente Tunnel.