Levada do Rei
The Levada do Rei is a 10.4 km return levada walk (PR 18) from São Jorge on Madeira's north coast, rated easy and taking 3–3.5 hours along a near-flat water channel through dense laurisilva forest to the Ribeiro Bonito spring. It is the most-recommended easy levada for families and first-time walkers: no tunnels, no exposed drops, and almost no elevation change. The trail starts at the ETAR water treatment plant above São Jorge, a 1 hour drive from Funchal.
What is Levada do Rei?
The Levada do Rei is a 10.4 km return levada walk (PR 18) from São Jorge on Madeira's north coast, rated easy and taking 3–3.5 hours along a near-flat water channel through dense laurisilva forest to the Ribeiro Bonito spring. It is the most-recommended easy levada for families and first-time walkers: no tunnels, no exposed drops, and almost no elevation change. The trail starts at the ETAR water treatment plant above São Jorge, a 1 hour drive from Funchal.
Key facts
- Trail code
- PR 18
- Distance
- 10.4 km return
- Duration
- 3–3.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Start point
- ETAR de São Jorge water plant
- Elevation gain
- Negligible (~50 m)
- Tunnels
- None
- Best for
- Families, first-time levada walkers
About Levada do Rei
Levada do Rei sits in São Jorge and is a moderately demanding hike — good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 10.4 km point-to-point route, Levada do Rei climbs around 200 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 PR18. The PR sign at the trailhead is your reassurance, not a promise — weather on the central ridge can shift inside an hour.
The Levada do Rei (PR18) starts at the ETAR water-treatment plant above São Jorge on Madeira's north coast, roughly 45 minutes by car from Funchal via the VE1 expressway. The trail follows a 1.2 m wide levada gently uphill through UNESCO-listed laurisilva forest — the ancient laurel woodland that once covered southern Europe — all the way to the Ribeiro Bonito spring where the water source emerges from the rock. It is 10.4 km round trip (5.2 km each way, out-and-back), takes 3–4 hours at a walking pace, and gains about 200 m in elevation spread thinly across the whole route.
Compared to the busier 25 Fontes or Levada do Caldeirão Verde, this walk sees a fraction of the visitors — you can hike a summer weekend morning and pass fewer than ten people. That's the main reason to prioritise it. The other reason is the forest itself: the middle third goes through some of the densest, most humid laurisilva on the island, with tree heath, Madeira mahogany and hanging moss overhead the whole way.
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.
- Distance: 10.4 km out-and-back (5.2 km each way).
- Duration: 3–4 hours at walking pace, add 30 min for photos at the spring.
- Difficulty: moderate — mostly flat but long, with narrow levada-edge sections and exposed drops.
- Start point: ETAR de São Jorge, coordinates 32.8172, -16.9242. Signposted 'PR18' from São Jorge village.
- Parking: small free lot at the ETAR (about 8 cars). Fills by 09:30 on summer weekends — arrive early or park in São Jorge village and walk 10 min in.
- Tunnel: one short (~50 m) unlit tunnel about 3 km in. A phone torch is enough; a headtorch is more comfortable.
- Water & food: no shops, no fountains, no café at the trailhead. Bring 1.5 L per person and a snack for the spring.
- Safety: the levada edge has unfenced drops in places. Not recommended for young children or anyone uncomfortable with heights. Avoid in heavy rain — the path gets slick.
- GPX track: download from madeirainfo.com/gpx/levada-do-rei.gpx (linked on this page).
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
São Jorge, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.81722, -16.92423
GPX track
Download a GPX file for Levada do Rei 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.
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Preview only. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Frequently asked
Is the Levada do Rei easy?+
Yes — it is one of the easiest levada walks in Madeira. The path is almost flat, there are no tunnels and the levada side is wide and well maintained.
How long does the Levada do Rei walk take?+
Allow 3 to 3.5 hours for the 10.4 km return route at a relaxed family pace. Strong walkers complete it in under 3 hours.
Where does the Levada do Rei start?+
At the ETAR de São Jorge water treatment plant above the village of São Jorge on Madeira's north coast. It is roughly a 1 hour drive from Funchal via the VE1 expressway.
Is the Levada do Rei suitable for children?+
Yes — it is the levada most commonly recommended for families. The path is wide, fenced where it needs to be, and has no tunnels or exposed drops. Younger children can usually manage the first half and turn back.
Are there facilities at the Levada do Rei trailhead?+
Parking is free but limited to about 15 cars at the ETAR. There are no toilets or café at the trailhead — stop in São Jorge village beforehand.
How long does the Levada do Rei hike take?+
Most hikers complete Levada do Rei in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 10.4 km long with about 200 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada do Rei suitable for beginners?+
Levada do Rei 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 Rei?+
No, Levada do Rei 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.
How long is the Levada do Rei walk?+
10.4 km out-and-back — 5.2 km each way, from the ETAR trailhead in São Jorge to the Ribeiro Bonito spring and back. Most people finish in 3–4 hours.
How difficult is the Levada do Rei?+
Moderate. The path is almost flat (~200 m elevation gain) but it is long, narrow in places, and has unfenced drops along a working water channel. Anyone with reasonable fitness can do it; nervous walkers should skip the exposed sections.
Where do you park for the Levada do Rei?+
At the ETAR de São Jorge (small free lot, ~8 spaces) at coordinates 32.8172, -16.9242. It's signposted 'PR18' from São Jorge village on the ER101 north-coast road. Overflow parking is in the village itself, 10 minutes' walk from the trailhead.
Do you need a headlamp on the Levada do Rei?+
There is one short unlit tunnel (~50 m) about 3 km in. A phone torch is enough for it, but a headlamp keeps your hands free on the wet floor.
Is the Levada do Rei better than 25 Fontes?+
Levada do Rei is quieter, gentler and gets you deeper into pure laurisilva forest. 25 Fontes has the more dramatic waterfall payoff but is significantly busier and needs a booking. For forest and solitude, pick Rei; for the classic postcard, pick 25 Fontes.
Is the Levada do Rei safe for kids?+
Not ideal for young children. The path is narrow with unfenced drops onto steep hillside for long stretches. Confident older kids (10+) who are used to hiking are fine; toddlers and small children are not.
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