Arco da Calheta is a town on the southwest coast of Madeira. At sea level, the coast is rocky and wild with the exception of Vila Calheta, where hotels have yellow sand beaches, cafes and restaurants in the marina. However, take a left out of the tunnel to get on the wild side.
Driving through the village past the church, you will see the tall terraces rising in front of you. As you enter Loreto, turn right in front of the church to drive further up the mountainside and keep an eye on the Levada water, which contains the tanks; It is where the levada crosses the road. Find a safe place to park.
From here you can either walk a distance west to Prazeres on the Levada Nova or go east to enjoy the walk around the back of the Arco da Calheta. The road is safe, uniform and there are no large drops to disturb the less brave! In June and July you can expect to see Agapanthus, blue and white around the edges. When the sun hits the eucalyptus and pine trees, energizing scents blend into the clean mountain air.
You may be lucky enough to meet a Levada man who watches over the flow of the water in the narrow canal. His job is to keep the canal clear of debris, and at times he seems to watch the world go by and chat with walkers. Lumberjacks may be cleaning lumber floors, clearing fallen wood, and building good fires in recent seasons; yes sadly the mountain slopes are prone to fires in the dry summer months. But nature recovers forests very quickly, and winter rains turn green on the mountainside in one season. Villagers quickly clear fallen branches to get fuel for the winter, and roll them down the hill towards their terraces. You can see the wood neatly stacked in “vented” piles in preparation for winter use.
Be sure to have your camera with you, as the views of the terraces, the village and the ocean are breathtaking, often framed by a twisted branch of a pine tree or the military camouflage of eucalyptus logs.
It is worth doing this short walk to take home the sights and sights of the Arco da Calheta.
If you venture beyond the end of the Arch, the hike becomes much more challenging in terms of steep slopes. However, there are handrails to aid balance. There are simple rules to remember when walking lifts that present “falling challenges”; enter the levada. Your boots will dry and you will be safe!
Most tourists have heard of the hike on the cams, the trails and paths that run alongside the narrow canal system to move the water around the island to agricultural areas. Many will not want to do the longest and most challenging hikes; This one offers the opportunity to experience a levitated hike without any of the challenges! If you get hooked? There are many organizations that offer accompanied walks. Enjoy our island.