L-ARCO (Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta) is a 5.6 km, medium, community route. Cost: free. Whether it is worth hiking right now depends on live conditions and today's official status, re-checked every 20 minutes in the live app.
Madeira
A coastal forecast will not tell you what it is doing at 687m up here. That is what the live score is for. How the island splits one forecast into many: microclimate guide.
Go or wait today?
At 687m, Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta makes its own weather. A coastal forecast will not tell you what today looks like up here. The pass reads the live conditions on the trail and gives you one honest answer, re-checked every 20 minutes.
Ten seconds, one tap, from €2.99 once. No subscription.
Download GPX: free offline map
Grab the full GPS track and waypoints for Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta as a free GPX file, no signup. Load it into Garmin, Komoot, AllTrails, Gaia GPS or OsmAnd and follow the route offline, even where there is no phone signal.
ⓘ Source & safety
Track and waypoints from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Planning aid, not a safety guarantee. Check the official trail status and conditions before you go.Estimated hiking time
1h15
About Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta
One of the south-west's most charming levada walks, running from Lombo de São João through endemic forest and terraces with sweeping ocean views, a head-torch rock tunnel and a fall you can walk behind. Clipped here to its scenic ~5.6 km section.
Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta (L-ARCO) is a one way route of about 5.6 km in Madeira.
What you'll see
The route takes in a levada water-channel path, waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints.
The path runs between roughly 634 m and 687 m above sea level, so conditions can change with altitude.
Difficulty
Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta rates as medium on our objective scale, based on 5.6 km and 80 m of ascent.
This grade is an estimate from distance, ascent and exposure, not an official IFCN rating.
How long it takes
Allow about 2h 20m one way, a point-to-point route.
The app's live 0-100 score also flags the latest safe start time for the day. See it in the app.
Getting there and back
Starts at Lombo de São João (Caminho Fonte do Coxo). Ends at Travessa das Feiteiras (Canhas). This is a one-way route, so you finish where your car is not: plan a second car, a taxi from the far end, or the walk back before you set off. No car park is mapped at the start, so plan to leave the car on the road nearby.
What to bring
Torch/headlamp for the tunnel.
Rock tunnel on the levada — bring a torch.
Best time to walk it
Year-round; avoid wet/foggy days
This route is mostly open to the sun, so it bites on a hot, clear day. Start early and carry more water than you think you need.
The sun and shade reading comes from the slope's aspect and steepness, so it describes terrain shading and not tree cover.
A live 0-100 score picks the best 30-minute window for the day. See today's window in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Is Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta worth hiking today?
It depends on today's conditions, and that is exactly what Levadas answers. The app reads the current weather at Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta, the safe-start window, how busy it is and the official IFCN status, then gives one honest go-or-wait score from 0 to 100, re-checked every 20 minutes. It is decision-support, not a safety clearance: an official IFCN closure always overrides the score, no matter how good the weather looks.
How long is Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta?
Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta is about 5.6 km (one way).
How difficult is Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta?
Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta rates as medium based on its distance, ascent and exposure (an objective estimate, not an official IFCN grade).
How long does Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta take to walk?
Allow about 2h 20m.
Can I download a GPX track for Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta?
Yes. Tap Download GPX on this page: the first download on any device asks for an email so we can also send the free trail pack, then every later trail downloads instantly.
Is Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta free to walk?
Yes. Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta needs no reservation and has no fee. Only the regulated official PR trails require a paid SIMplifica booking; this one you simply walk.
Where does Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta start and finish?
Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta starts at Lombo de São João (Caminho Fonte do Coxo) and finishes at Travessa das Feiteiras (Canhas).
What will I see on Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta?
Highlights include a levada water-channel path, waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints.
When is the best time to hike Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta?
Year-round; avoid wet/foggy days
Are there tunnels on Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta? Do I need a torch?
Rock tunnel on the levada — bring a torch.
How do I check live conditions for Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta?
Levadas scores Levada Nova do Arco da Calheta from 0 to 100 using live weather along the path and the official status, refreshed every 20 minutes. You also see how busy it is. Open the trail in the app to see the live score and the best time to go today.