Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias

Carved into the hillsides of Santana, Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias constitutes a traditional community bridleway extending between Below Achada do Marques (PR1.1 / Vereda da Ilha junction) and Chão das Faias (Levada dos Tornos - Norte tunnel entrance). Showcasing the rugged interior of the island, the passage overlooks deeply incised river gorges, ancient agricultural terraces, and towering basalt spires. Hiking this alignment requires heightened vigilance, as the corridor is unmanaged by IFCN staff and receives no certified safety checks or hazard signposts.

Route Profile & Terrain Details

• Surface conditions underfoot: Footing along Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias relies on ancestral drystone paving, stepped bedrock transitions, and compacted loam.
• Vertical exposure and protection: The trail negotiates steep mountain shoulders with open valley views, where rockfall or balance loss could lead to hazardous slides.
• Gradients and elevation profile: Vertical relief is demanding, alternating between steep stepped staircases, brisk switchbacks, and undulating ridge crests.
• Hydrological conditions and weather exposure: Rainwater drains naturally across the earthen slopes, creating slick mud patches, while ridge winds demand windproof outer layers.

Trailhead Access, Parking & Return Transfer

• Road approach and connectivity: The road journey to Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias follows the VE 1 highway, ER 101 northern coastal road, and ER 103 linking through Ribeiro Frio, leading into the upper mountain hollows of Santana.
• Trailhead parking availability: Parking availability relies on small roadside bays along the approach lane; preserve full road clearance for municipal service trucks.
• Public transit connections: Bus links via CAM (SIGA) northern services linking Funchal, Machico, and Santana connect major coastal towns with the valley, though outlying rural stops require careful schedule cross-referencing.
• Return logistics and transfer options: Returning to the vehicle at Below Achada do Marques (PR1.1 / Vereda da Ilha junction) requires either turning back along the trail or hiring a local taxi transfer from the terminus at Chão das Faias (Levada dos Tornos - Norte tunnel entrance).

Historic Landscape & Heritage Context

Historically traveled by foot and mule train, Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias allowed agricultural communities in Santana to transport seasonal harvests to regional markets. The route required skilled manual masonry, with local builders hewing stepped ramps into volcanic bedrock and assembling drystone revetments that secured steep slopes against erosion. Following the ancestral calçada allows hikers to experience the authentic scale and pace of historical travel across Madeira's spectacular volcanic backbone.

Field Safety & Official PR Alternatives

Proceeding along Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias demands heightened awareness, as steep drops and slippery surfaces in Santana lack official hazard signage. Footwear with deep rubber lugs is mandatory to avoid slipping on damp masonry and moss-covered stones. Carry adequate water, sun protection, a warm mid-layer, offline digital maps, and an emergency light source. Never attempt to bypass damaged masonry or landslips along exposed precipices; turn around calmly and exit via the original approach route.

Official classified PR alternatives near Santana

For walkers who value verified infrastructure and scheduled forestry maintenance near Santana, should prioritize these officially inspected PR alternatives over Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias:

• PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde — 6.5 km each way (13.0 km there and back) between Queimadas and Caldeirão Verde in Santana (listed open on the 2 October 2026 IFCN table). Offers a certified walking corridor maintained by regional forestry authorities and established parking facilities near the main road network.
• PR 18 Levada do Rei — 5.3 km each way (10.6 km there and back) between Quebradas and Ribeiro Bonito in São Jorge, Santana (listed open on the 2 October 2026 IFCN table). Serves as an officially monitored levada corridor with certified footing and documented elevation figures suitable for all experience levels.
• PR 1.2 Vereda do Pico Ruivo — 2.8 km each way (5.6 km there and back) between Achada do Teixeira and Pico Ruivo above Santana (listed open on the 2 October 2026 IFCN table). Represents an inspected PR itinerary featuring dramatic valley viewpoints and verified handrail infrastructure along all exposed sections.

Regional footpaths and unmonitored channels in Santana include Levada de Baixo and Vereda do Lombo Grande and Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno, preserved on the unknown trails archive without ranger patrols. Survey source for Ligação Achada do Marques to Chão das Faias: Madeira public works ledgers and forestry archives, contrasted with IFCN Percursos pedestres classificados (updated 2 October 2026, read 12 October 2026).