Hiking the Caldeirão Verde Trail

Today’s excursion couldn’t have been more different from yesterday’s. From the barren cliffs, we stepped straight into a lush, green jungle. Our destination was Levada do Caldeirão Verde – and the name really says it all. Everywhere you look, it’s green: moss, ferns, trees… pure jungle vibes.

The trail runs alongside the man-made water channels, the levadas. You can hear the water trickling and splashing all the time, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a fish swimming in the crystal-clear streams. Walking here is incredibly relaxing, especially if you get stretches of the path mostly to yourself.

The part that really got my heart racing? The four tunnels along the way. Seriously, without a flashlight or phone light, it’s pitch black. Total darkness. Some parts are slippery, a bit flooded, and the ceilings aren’t always tall enough to walk upright – and I’m not very tall!

The ultimate goal, the green basin, was impressive. The waterfall didn’t have much water, so it was more of a backdrop, but looking up from the bottom was amazing – all green around you and then the blue sky above. The name “Green Cauldron” really fits.

On the way back, we started to encounter more hikers. The paths aren’t always wide enough to pass easily, so you have to get creative: step aside, squeeze past, or even back up a bit. Luckily, everyone’s super considerate, so it works out.

One thing that worried me beforehand was the road to the parking lot. It’s a narrow, winding street with huge potholes, and you can’t always see around corners. Early in the morning, it’s manageable, but coming back down is trickier. Cars coming the other way don’t always have a spot to pass, so you might end up reversing on a curve.

Honestly, a small, powerful car is perfect for this route. Anything bigger just makes maneuvering and passing other vehicles way more stressful.

At the end of our trip, we swung by Santander to check out the famous Casas de Colmo, or Palheiras. These are traditional farmhouses that are now part of the cultural heritage. Honestly, they’re just really cool to see – bright, colorful, and totally charming.Leer más