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Levada do Paul
Levada do Paul: walk in Madeira
Levada do Paul is a 10 km out-and-back walk in Calheta, rated easy. It climbs about 100 m in total and takes about 3 hours to walk.
Wide, easy levada across the Paul da Serra plateau, open moorland with endemic flowers and panoramic skies.
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Route line (GPX)
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A 11.4 km route line for your watch, phone or GPS. It is the mapped line of the trail, not a track we recorded ourselves, so treat it as guidance and follow the signs and closures on the ground.
Download the GPX fileRoute data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the ODbL. This file is published under the same licence. Source.
About Levada do Paul
Levada do Paul sits in the south-west, where the laurisilva spills toward the coast and is an accessible walk suitable for most fitness levels. Over its 10 km point-to-point route, Levada do Paul climbs around 100 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 3 and 4 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. It sits outside the official PR network, so it is less obviously waymarked, bring a downloaded map and treat the route description as your primary source.
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.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- 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
Calheta, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.74830, -17.12540
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Levada do Paul.
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.
Visitor reviews
Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Levada do Paul. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
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Frequently asked
How long does the Levada do Paul hike take?
Most hikers complete Levada do Paul in around 3 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 5 hours. The route is 10 km long with about 100 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada do Paul suitable for beginners?
Yes. Levada do Paul is rated easy and is suitable for most fitness levels, including families with older children. Sturdy shoes are still recommended.
Do I need a guide for Levada do Paul?
No, Levada do Paul 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.
Plan around Levada do Paul
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Levada do Paul in a day.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Levada do Paul.
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
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