Arco da Calheta is a village on the southwestern coast of Madeira. At sea level the coast is rocky and wild except for Vila Calheta where the hotels have yellow sand beaches, cafes and restaurants in the marina. However, take a left out of the tunnel to go over to the wild side.

Driving through the town, past the church, you will see the high terraces rising in front of you. As you enter Loreto, turn right in front of the church to keep going up the mountainside and keep an eye out for the Levada water retention tanks; it is where the levada crosses the road. Find a safe place to park.

From here, you can walk a distance west to Prazeres on the Levada Nova or head east to enjoy the walk behind the Arco da Calheta. The path is safe, flat and there are no big slopes that bother the less brave! In June and July you can expect to see Agapanthus, blue and white lining the edges. As the sun hits the eucalyptus and pine trees, the energizing scents mix into the clean mountain air.

You may be lucky enough to meet a levada man who watches over the flow of water in the narrow canal. His job is to keep the canal clear of debris and sometimes he seems to watch the world go by and chat with walkers! The lumberjacks may be clearing the floor of the wood, removing fallen wood, and making good fires from past seasons; yes, unfortunately the mountain slopes are prone to fires in the dry summer months. But nature recovers the forests very quickly and the winter rains turn the mountainside green in one season. Villagers quickly clear fallen branches for winter fuel, dragging them down the hill to their terraces. You can see the wood neatly stacked in “ventilation” piles in preparation for winter use.

Make sure you have your camera with you, as the views of the terraces, the town and out to the ocean are impressive, often framed by a twisted branch of a pine tree or the military camouflage of eucalyptus trunks.

It is well worth doing this short walk to take home the sights and views of Arco da Calheta.

If you venture beyond the end of the Arch, the hike becomes much more challenging in terms of steep inclines. However, there are handrails to help keep your balance. There are simple rules to remember when walking levadas that present “drop challenges”; enter the levada Your boots will be dry and you will be safe!

Most tourists have heard of the levada walk, the paths and trails that run alongside the narrow system of canals to move water around the island to agricultural areas. Many will not want to do the longer and more challenging hikes; this one offers the opportunity to experience a levada walk without any of the challenges! If you get hooked? There are many organizations that offer escorted tours. Enjoy our island.