Best Levada Walks in Madeira
The signature Madeira hike — irrigation channels through ancient laurel forest.
Selection: Trails that follow a named levada (irrigation channel), regardless of difficulty.
Madeira has more than 2,000 km of levadas — narrow stone channels built from the 16th century onward to move water from the wet north coast to the dry, terraced south. Walking alongside them has become the island's signature outdoor activity. The routes below are the levadas most worth your time: the famous ones (25 Fontes, Caldeirão Verde, Balcões), the underrated ones (Risco, Rei, Norte) and the longer through-walks for serious hikers.
Most levada paths are flat, but the drop on the downhill side is rarely fenced. Several routes include tunnels of 200 m or more, so a headlamp is not optional. Closed sections after rockfalls are common — check the IFCN trail-status list the day before you go.
The list (16)
1.Levada do Caldeirão Verde
TrailsA classic laurel-forest levada walk from Queimadas to a tall waterfall in a green amphitheatre. Mostly flat with several tunnels — bring a headlamp.
13 km150 m gain~5 hmoderate2.Levada das 25 Fontes
TrailsWalk through Rabaçal's laurisilva to a lagoon fed by 25 springs. One of the most popular routes — go early.
11 km250 m gain~4 hmoderate3.Levada do Rei
TrailsQuiet laurel-forest walk from São Jorge to the spring of Ribeiro Bonito. Less crowded than 25 Fontes and equally green.
10.4 km200 m gain~4 hmoderate4.Levada da Ribeira da Janela
TrailsLong, wild levada through dense laurisilva on the north-west plateau. Multiple tunnels — headlamp required.
17 km300 m gain~6 hhard5.Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova
TrailsTwo-levada loop above Ribeira da Janela passing waterfalls, banana terraces and dripping tunnels.
11.5 km loop320 m gain~4 hmoderate6.Levada do Furado
TrailsClassic point-to-point levada from Ribeiro Frio to Portela through dense laurisilva — one of Madeira's most popular all-day walks.
11 km300 m gain~4 hmoderate7.Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno
TrailsExtension of Caldeirão Verde reaching a wilder, deeper amphitheatre — long, exposed sections, several tunnels.
18 km300 m gain~7 hhard8.Levada do Risco
TrailsShort, easy walk from Rabaçal to the Risco waterfall through laurel forest. Often combined with PR6 25 Fontes.
3 km80 m gain~1.5 heasy9.Levada do Barreiro
TrailsQuiet high-altitude levada walk on the southern slopes of the central massif, with views over Funchal.
12 km200 m gain~4 hmoderate10.Levada dos Cedros
TrailsAtmospheric levada from Fanal to Curral Falso through ancient laurel forest, often shrouded in mist.
7.2 km180 m gain~3 hmoderate11.Levada Fajã do Rodrigues
TrailsShort, dramatic levada from Ginjas (São Vicente) ending at a cliff-pierced tunnel above a green ravine.
8.4 km200 m gain~3 hmoderate12.Levada da Serra do Faial
TrailsLong, gently sloping levada around the eastern flank of the central massif. Many entry points — good for half-day walks.
18 km200 m gain~5 hmoderate13.Levada do Norte
TrailsOne of Madeira's longest levadas — 60 km total, most walked between Cabo Girão and Boa Morte through banana and vine country.
14 km250 m gain~5 hmoderate14.Levada do Paul
TrailsWide, easy levada across the Paul da Serra plateau — open moorland with endemic flowers and panoramic skies.
10 km100 m gain~3 heasy15.Levada da Central da Ribeira da Janela
TrailsTunnel-heavy levada along the wild Ribeira da Janela valley — five long tunnels, requires a headlamp and waterproofs.
15 km300 m gain~5 hhard16.Levada do Caniçal
TrailsEasy, low-altitude levada from Maroços to Caniçal across the dry eastern foothills, mostly in open sun.
11.6 km150 m gain~4 heasy
Practical notes
- Headlamp + spare batteries: at least three of these walks have long unlit tunnels.
- Grippy footwear: stone slabs stay slick for days after rain.
- Start before 09:00 in summer — Rabaçal (25 Fontes / Risco) parking fills by mid-morning.
- Carry water — there are no taps once you leave the trailhead.
Frequently asked
- Which is the most beautiful levada walk in Madeira?
- Levada das 25 Fontes for the lagoon-and-waterfall ending, Caldeirão Verde for the green amphitheatre, Balcões for the easiest big view. Locals often vote for Levada do Rei — quieter and ends at a spring inside the laurisilva.
- Are levada walks dangerous?
- Not inherently, but the unfenced edges and unlit tunnels deserve respect. Most accidents involve slipping on wet stone or stepping back for a photo. Walk single-file, headlamp on in tunnels, do not lean over the channel.
- Can I do a levada walk in winter?
- Yes. The laurisilva is at its greenest from November to March. Expect mud and the occasional closure after heavy rain, but lower trails like Balcões and 25 Fontes are walkable year-round.