PR 3 - Levada do Pico do Castelo

The trail begins on regional road 120 and follows the foothills of Pico do Castelo, skirting its southern slope alongside the Levada do Pico do Castelo up to Ribeiro Formoso. It also provides access to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça, dating from the 1930s.

The construction and building of the Levada do Pico do Castelo originated in the first half of the 20th century (between 1941-1942), with the aim of harnessing rainwater for agriculture.

The Levada do Pico do Castelo also served for many years as a communication route for inhabitants of Camacha who wanted to travel to the Serra de Fora area and vice versa.

When ascending the so-called Rocha de Nossa Senhora, via a kind of stone pathway, hikers can find some species of heather (Erica platycodon subsp. Maderincola) and white poplars (Populus alba). We also find small clusters of creeping plants, locally called "Iscas" (Phagnalon hansenii).

After reaching the top of the rock formation, popularly known as "Portelinha," the trail descends toward Serra de Fora and the existing tunnel.

Crossing the tunnel of approximately 530 meters, we reach Ribeiro Formoso.

This is a trail that throughout its course allows hikers, from various natural viewpoints, to glimpse the entire extent of Porto Santo island's coastline, from the beach and the town, as well as one of the islets - Ilhéu de Baixo.