On Paul da Serra, the Pico da Urze balcony opens onto the island's largest valley covered in Laurissilva — a UNESCO World Heritage site, a Natura 2000 site, classified as an area of rest and silence by the Parque Natural da Madeira. From the ER 105 car park set off Madeira's most famous trails: the Levada das 25 Fontes (PR 6), the Levada do Risco (PR 6.1), Alecrim (PR 6.2), Lagoa do Vento (PR 6.3) and, below, Casa do Rabaçal, the meeting point with its reception centre on the history of the levadas; the Túnel do Cavalo (1863–1877) and the Túnel das Estrebarias (1855) tell of the first crossing of the northern waters to the south. All trails require SIMplifica booking (€4.50).
Laurissilva valley
25 Fontes and Risco
Levadas reception centre
Rest and Quiet Reserve
GPS
32.75471, -17.13387
🧭 Getting there
The place stands 1,715 m from the locality of Lombo do Doutor, the nearest one, parish of Calheta (Calheta).
1855 — Túnel das Estrebarias — For the first time, northern water crosses the island to the south
The "Furado Velho" of the Levada do Risco (Levada Velha do Rabaçal, built 1835–1860, 7.15 km) opened the crossings under the ridge; its madre lies at Fontes do Risco, at 1,038 m.
