L-FAJAOVELHA (Levada da Fajã da Ovelha) is a 11.7 km, medium, community route. 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 662m up here. That is what the live score is for.
Go or wait today?
At 662m, Levada da Fajã da Ovelha 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.
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Download GPX: free offline map
Grab the full GPS track and waypoints for Levada da Fajã da Ovelha 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.About Levada da Fajã da Ovelha
A long, almost flat agricultural levada between roughly 600 and 700 m, a favourite of local walkers keeping fit. This is the recommended 11.7 km one-way section of the much longer Levada Nova da Calheta, running from Prazeres across the western parishes to Lombada dos Marinheiros in Fajã da Ovelha. It threads through pine and eucalyptus, farmland and small settlements, crossing streams such as the Ribeiras da Calheta, Marinheiros and Moinhos. Frequent road crossings mean you can shorten the walk at will. Turning back to Prazeres makes it roughly 24 km.
Levada da Fajã da Ovelha (L-FAJAOVELHA) is a one way route of about 11.7 km in Madeira.
What you'll see
The route takes in a levada water-channel path, laurel forest (laurisilva), panoramic viewpoints and waterfalls.
Landmarks on the route include Lombada dos Marinheiros.
Difficulty
Levada da Fajã da Ovelha is officially graded medium by IFCN, based on 11.7 km, 441 m of ascent and low exposure.
How long it takes
Allow about 4h 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 Prazeres (Casa Florestal). Ends at Lombada dos Marinheiros (Fajã da Ovelha). 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. The car park at the start has room for about 12.
What to bring
Comfortable shoes for a long, flat walk; carry water on a hot day.
Best time to walk it
Year-round; best in spring and autumn.
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 da Fajã da Ovelha worth hiking today?
It depends on today's conditions, and that is exactly what Levadas answers. The app reads the current weather at Levada da Fajã da Ovelha, 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 da Fajã da Ovelha?
Levada da Fajã da Ovelha is about 11.7 km (one way).
How difficult is Levada da Fajã da Ovelha?
Levada da Fajã da Ovelha is officially graded medium by IFCN.
How long does Levada da Fajã da Ovelha take to walk?
Allow about 4h.
Can I download a GPX track for Levada da Fajã da Ovelha?
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 da Fajã da Ovelha free to walk?
Yes. Levada da Fajã da Ovelha 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 da Fajã da Ovelha start and finish?
Levada da Fajã da Ovelha starts at Prazeres (Casa Florestal) and finishes at Lombada dos Marinheiros (Fajã da Ovelha).
What will I see on Levada da Fajã da Ovelha?
Highlights include a levada water-channel path, laurel forest (laurisilva), panoramic viewpoints and waterfalls.
When is the best time to hike Levada da Fajã da Ovelha?
Year-round; best in spring and autumn.
How do I check live conditions for Levada da Fajã da Ovelha?
Levadas scores Levada da Fajã da Ovelha from 0 to 100 using live weather, official status and crowd signals, refreshed every 20 minutes. Open the trail in the app to see the live score and the best time to go today.