Best waterfall trails in Portugal

A trip along the Algarve coast from Praia da Marinha in the east to Praia Vale de Centianes. The trail includes a variety of beaches and caves to explore. It can be walked from either direction and includes many signs on posts or painted rocks to guide the way.Show more

Note: The elevation gain for the trail is deceiving. The trail goes through several tunnels that avoid big elevation gains therefore, the elevation gain via hiking/walking the trail is much less than 4,000 feet.Show more

This hike will take you on a circular route in Faial da Terra. It begins near the bus stop. Go up the asphalted road until the fork where you should continue straight by a dirt road, always along the left bank of the stream. The vegetation is thicker and there are several orchards on both banks of the creek along the trail. There are winding roads in paving stones, please be very careful due to its slippery ground. You will have to cross a bridge over the stream to get to Salto do Prego. On the way back, return by the same way, and then follow right on the second fork towards Aldeia do Sanguinho, an old village.Show more

Note: As of February 2021, users reported that the Rabaçal tunnel is currently CLOSED. The Levada das 25 Fontes is a beautiful walk full of green and water. The trail is narrow, with some slippery and steep paths. This trail is quite popular, so it is advisable to come early to avoid most of the crowd.Show more

The walk offers a nice variety of landscapes. Large boulders and whimsical formations create a mysterious fairy tale landscape.Show more

This trail begins next to the Pico Vermelho Geothermal Power Station, passes the Salto do Cabrito Hydroelectric Power Station and ends at the Ribeira Grande Caldeiras (hot springs). The trail starts just by the “Lagoa do Fogo” restaurant. A little further on, take a left turn along a dirt path, which goes past a wood of Victorian box, acacia, Japanese red cedar and eucalyptus trees. You can see the Ribeira Grande valley to your right from various points along this path. After walking for approximately 1 km, you will come to the Salto do Cabrito Hydroelectric Power Station; here you can turn off the main path and near the stream you can see the impressive waterfall which gives its name to the power station. Return to the main path, climb the steps there, and cross the walkway above the water pipes until you reach the Fajã do Redondo Hydroelectric Power Station, which is no longer in operation. Continue along the trail until you reach a dirt road, where you should turn right, and then continue ahead for about 500 metres. At the end you will come to an asphalt road where, if you turn left, you will come to the Ribeira Grande Caldeiras, where the trail ends. There are a number of hot springs in this area, and you can enjoy typical dishes at the traditional restaurant there.Show more

If you have to choose one walk on Madeira, this is the one. Every single step is an adventure. It is suggested to start with the Levadas and climb to the Levada on the rough road. Walking down is better done on concrete - except that the rough road (half way) is completely exposed to the sun - no shade and it's an endless climb.Show more

The dense and deep green landscapes allow an inspiring descent until the beginning of Levada, through the Laurisilva Forest. On more rainy days, the floor may be more slippery through the mud, so you should take extra care in your mobility.Show more

The trail begins and ends where the Grotto known the Christmas Cave is located, next to Lagoa do Negro, and it takes around 2h 30m. The trail begins on a beaten earth track that ends at a wooden gate. After the gate it continues through meadowland until you come to a second wooden gate and after that you continue along a narrow path. Heather (Calluna vulgaris), tall growing heather (Juniperus brevifolia), running along the edge of the Vale Fundo lake. Along the way you will get a fork in the path where the right to short detour leads you to a different view of the lake. Return to the fork in the path and go straight ahead through an area rich in native plant species such as juniper, Azores blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), laurel (Laurus sp.), Portuguese laurel (Viburnum tinus), holly (Ilex perado), Cape myrtle (Myrsine retusa) among others. Going through this area you will come upon the "Dark Mysteries", three domes formed from recent lava deposits still bare of plant cover. The trail goes between two of these 'mysteries' over very rough ground that requires careful walking. Once through this area, the track becomes easier and it soon leads into another narrow path that goes through the wood of Japanese cedar. Once clear of the wood, the trail takes you through meadowland and ends at the tarred road where you turn left and after about 100 m you will have Pico Gaspar on your right. Climb up and take a look at its crater rich in species found only in this location. Then return down Pico Gaspar and, continuing along the road for about 100 m, turn left and walk through the pastureland that comes to an end in Christmas Grotto. The course begins and finishes at the place where the Gruta do Natal is located, next to the Lagoa do Negro, and lasts about 2h30. The trail begins on a dirt road that ends at a gate, after which you enter a pasture and, following always ahead you will find a second wooden gate and only then you will enter a standing path. This path runs through a forest of cryptomeria, queiró (Caluna vulgaris), heath (Erica azorica) and cedar-jungle (Juniperus brevifolia), passing by the bank of the lagoon of Vale Fundo. Continuing the route, you will find a fork in which, turning to your right, you will enter a small detour that allows you to see the same lagoon from another perspective. Returning to the fork, and continuing straight ahead, the route continues through an area rich in endemic vegetation, such as cedar-mato, serra (Vaccinium cylindraceum), laurel (Laurus sp.), Leafy (Viburnum tinus ), holly (Ilex perado), tamujo (Myrsine retusa), among others. Passing this area you will find the "Black Mysteries", three domes formed by accumulations of recent lavas that are not yet provided with vegetation. The route passes between two of these mysteries through a very irregular floor that requires some care. After crossing this area, you will enter a dirt road, more accessible, which will take you soon after to a new path that crosses a forest of criptomérias. After crossing the forest, the trail follows a pasture zone and ends on a tar road where you should turn left and after about 100m you will find on your right the Gaspar Peak that you can climb to observe its crater rich in endemisms. Then you must descend Gaspar Peak and, continuing on the road, about 100m afterwards, you should turn left following along a pasture that ends in the Christmas Grotto.Show more