Levadas and mountain hikes in Madeira

Get ready for unique experiences and wonderful views. The island offers a number of beautiful trails that you should not miss.

Madeira is a paradise for nature and hike lovers. Whether you decide to explore the steep mountain trails or walk along the peaceful levadas that cross the island, you will come across breathtaking views, diverse nature and unforgettable experiences.

Important information: Due to bad weather conditions, some trails might be closed for safety reasons. If you come across a ‘Do not enter’ sign, please respect the warning and choose a different adventure.

Important advice before you embark on a hike

Bring plenty of water, snacks, a hat, raincoat, comfortable shoes, additional warm layer of clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. The weather in Madeira is unpredictable so make sure you are prepared.

If you are expecting there to be tunnels, remember to bring your flashlights or a headlamp with flashlight.

Walk carefully, especially where the path becomes narrow and near levadas where the path might be slippery. Avoid getting too close to the edges or climbing over the guardrailing to avoid falling.

Also, respect the nature and follow the walking code.

Check the webcams before your journey

Check that your hike is open. If your hike is under ‘Encerrados’, that means that it is closed for safety reasons.

Vysokohorský přechod- Pico do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo

Mountain Crossing: Pico do Arieiro – Pico Ruivo (PR1)

Discover the beauty of Madeira’s mountains on an unforgettable hike that connects the three highest peaks of the island: Pico do Arieiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo. Although the route is suitable for average hikers, it will require more effort than a classic “levada”. The route starts at the top of Pico do Arieiro (1818 a.s.l.), from where you will follow the 7 km long trail, PR1, to the top of Pico Ruivo.

Information:

Hike length: approx. 7 km
Elevation gain: 1,000 m
Total time: 3,5 – 5 hours (just one way)
Difficulty: Hard
Free parking available but limited (get there early or parked on the side of the road). Pre-book a transfer so you don’t have to walk back to Pico do Arieiro.

Leváda do Caldeirão Verde - Inferno (PR9)

Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Inferno (PR9)

Tunnels, waterfalls and breathtaking views await you on the hike following Levada do Caldeirão Verde. The cherry on the cake is then the end point which is a picturesque lagoon with a waterfall. For those of you who want to extend your hike, you can continue to Inferno. Levada do Inferno has been closed for safety reasons since 2023, so please respect the sign.

Information:

Hike length: approx. 14 km (both ways)
Hike including Levada do Inferno: approx. 20 km
Total time: around 5hours
Difficulty: Medium
Paid parking available

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8)

The São Lourenço Peninsula is not only the easternmost part of the island, but also one of the most photographed places in Madeira. Its wild rocky coast provides a unique change from the traditional paths around the lush green levadas.

On this route we can look forward to jagged cliffs, the raging ocean below you, impressive views of steep rock walls and mountain peaks that rise from the waves and reveal layers of rock.

Information:

Hike length: approx. 7.4km (there and back)
Total time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Fixed access fee: €1 (except residents and children up to and including 12 years old). For more information access the SIMplifica portal.
Free parking available but limited (get there early)

Levada do Alecrim (PR 6.2)- Vereda Lagoa do Vento (PR 6.3)- Levada das 25 Fontes (PR 6)

One of the most sought-after areas on the island of Madeira is Rabaçal. Located in Paul da Serra, the only plateau on the island of Madeira, Rabaçal offers surroundings of rare natural beauty, which is listed on the UNESCO list.

If you’d like to make the most of your visit to Rabaçal, we recommend staring by walking along Levada do Alecrim. The start of this hike is right at the beginning of the walk from the parking lot in Rabaçal. This route then takes you on a circuit with two turns to waterfalls, ponds and even descends to the Lagoa de Vento lagoon, where there is a larger pond with a waterfall.

After completing the circuit, you will descend to the forest administration house in Rabaçal, where you can enjoy some refreshments, before continuing to explore the waterfall Risco and the Levada das 25 Fontes.

Information:

Hike length: approx. 8,5 km
Total time of Levada do Alecrim: 3,5 hodiny
Length of Levada das 25 Fontes: 2,5 km
Difficulty: Medium
Warning: The full route is not suitable for people with weak knees because of the steep descent from Levada do Alecrim down to the forest administration house in Rabaçal
Free parking available but limited (get there early)

Vereda do Larano around Boca do Risco

This is one of the few coastal roads on the island of Madeira. The hike starts near the old tunnel in Caniçal where you will walk along the Levada to Caniçal. After about an hour, you will see a sign for Boca do Risco where you will leave the levada and start climbing the hill to the cliff (about 45 minutes – this is the only climb on this route). Here we will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the ocean, where you can relax, have a snack and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding coast. You will then continue towards Porto da Cruz that you will start seeing in the distance before you.

Once you reach an old unused cable car, you know it’s time to start your descent to Porta do Cruz.

When in Porta do Cruz, don’t forget to visit the rum distillery.

Information:

Hike length: approx. 12 km
Difficulty: Medium
Warning: The full route is not suitable for people with weak knees because of the lengthy descent to Porta do Cruz. Instead, book a pick up from the old cable car.
Parking on the side roads. You will need to pre-book a transfer or use two cars as this is not a circuit route.

Levada do Rei (PR 18)

Hiking along the Levada do Rei and discover spectacular views of the agricultural lands of São Jorge and Santana. You will also walk through the ancient laurel forest, seeing various flowers, tree ferns and eucalyptus trees.

The levada will take you all the way to the deep valley of the Ribeiro Bonito river, which is the source of water for the Levada do Rei (Royal). At the end of the route, we don’t have a spectacular waterfall like at Levada do Caldeirão Verde, but you will have to pass under a waterfall, so it’s necessary to have a raincoat with you!

Information:

Hike length: approx. 10 km (5 km one way)
Total time: 3,5 hodiny
Difficulty: Medium
Parking: Free parking near Quebradas Water Treatment Plant, in São Jorge

Okruh Levada do Moinho a Levada Nova (PR 7)

This hike is one of the few hikes that you can complete as a circular route. It is very popular because of the wonderful waterfall that’s en-route, and you will walk behind it.

The entrance to Levada do Moinho starts right above the Igreja da Lombada da Ponta do Sol church.

At the end of the levada, go up the path that will lead you to Levada Nova. From there, continue in the opposite direction, back to where you have come from, and after a while you will reach the impressive waterfall of this levada, which approaches.

Information:

Hike length: approx. 10 km
Total time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Warning: Levada Nova is not suitable for people suffering with vertigo. Choose to return on Levada do Moinho if you don’t like heights.
Free parking in the nearby streets