Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova
Two-levada loop above Ponta do Sol linking Levada Nova and Levada do Moinho — banana terraces, two waterfalls you can walk under, and a short head-torch tunnel. Mostly flat concrete edge-path with steep drops; easy underfoot but exposed.
About Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova
Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova sits in Madeira's sunniest western strip and is a moderately demanding hike — good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 11.5 km loop, Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova climbs around 320 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
Bring more water than you think you need and pace yourself — the second half is where most people struggle. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, catalogued as PR7. The PR sign at the trailhead is your reassurance, not a promise — weather on the central ridge can shift inside an hour.
What to know before you go
- Wear proper hiking shoes with grip — basalt gets slippery when damp, and most levada paths have a drop on one side.
- Pack two litres of water per person — there are no refill points on the route — and a light fleece for the ridge wind.
- Bring a headlamp — some sections pass through unlit lava tunnels.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go — trails close after storms or rockfalls.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Ponta do Sol, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.68933, -17.09201
GPX track
Download a GPX file for Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova to load into your watch, phone or GPS device. Always carry an offline map and follow the painted PR waymarks on the ground — GPX is a guide, not a substitute for navigation.
Download levada-do-moinho-to-levada-nova.gpxLoading route preview…
Preview only. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova. Machine-readable feed: /api/public/trail-conditions/levada-do-moinho-to-levada-nova.
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind — dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
Frequently asked
How long does the Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova hike take?+
Most hikers complete Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 11.5 km long with about 320 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova suitable for beginners?+
Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova is rated moderate. Beginners with reasonable fitness can complete it, but expect uneven ground, some exposed sections and a few hours on your feet.
Do I need a guide for Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova?+
No, Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova.