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A levada path running beside its water channel through dense laurel forest

Madeira's levada walks: 8 trails worth booking

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Photo: cudi, CC BY 2.0

Levadas are the irrigation channels that Madeira's settlers cut along the mountainsides to carry water from the rainy north and the high forest to the farms and towns, and the maintenance paths beside them are now the island's great walking network. Many run through the laurisilva, the laurel forest listed by UNESCO, and the classified trails, marked PR, are managed by the regional forest service, IFCN.

The Portugal page covers PR6 to the 25 Fontes. This page covers eight more: from an easy hour to a viewpoint to long days through tunnels and past waterfalls, with the official distances, times and fees from the regional tourism board.

Since 2026, every classified trail needs a timed reservation on the SIMplifica portal before you start, with a fee for most visitors.

9 things to do in Madeira's levadas

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The Caldeirão Verde waterfall dropping into its pool in the laurel forest

Walk PR9 through four tunnels to the Caldeirão Verde waterfall

Queimadas Forest Park, Santana

About 6.5 hoursTimed entry

Walk a levada through laurel forest and four rock tunnels to a waterfall falling about 100 metres into a green pool.

Walkers at the Balcões viewpoint above forested valleys and mountains

Take the short PR11 to the Balcões viewpoint

Ribeiro Frio

About 1.5 hoursTimed entry

Walk an almost flat path to a railed balcony over valleys of dense laurel forest, with the central peaks on the skyline.

The Levada do Risco path under overhanging trees in the Rabaçal valley

Walk the easy Levada do Risco to its waterfall

Rabaçal

About 2 hoursTimed entry

Walk through dense laurel forest to a tall waterfall dropping straight down a dark rock wall in a single white line.

The Levada do Furado path cut into a mossy rock face near Ribeiro Frio

Follow the old Levada do Furado from Ribeiro Frio to Portela

Ribeiro Frio to Portela

About 5 hours, one wayTimed entry

Spend about five hours in the laurel forest beside one of the island's oldest public levadas.

Forested valleys seen from the Levada do Rei above São Jorge

Walk the Levada do Rei to Ribeiro Bonito and see the São Jorge mill

São Jorge, Santana

About 3.5 hoursTimed entry

Follow a level levada through tunnels of vegetation to a secluded stream valley the tourism board calls a natural sanctuary.

Old til trees in the fog at Fanal

Cross the laurel forest on PR13 to the old til trees of Fanal

Paul da Serra to Fanal

About 4 hours, one wayTimed entry

Reach a small volcanic crater where centuries-old til trees, some thought to predate the island's discovery, stand in open grass.

A waterfall at the end of the Levada do Alecrim above Rabaçal

Walk the quieter Levada do Alecrim to the Dona Beja pool

Rabaçal

About 2.5 hoursTimed entry

Walk through tunnels of tree heather to cool off in the pool that feeds the Lagoa do Vento waterfall.

The rock pinnacle above the Ribeira Brava valley on the PR17 trail

Take on PR17 past the Pináculo and the Folhadal tunnels

Lombo do Mouro to Encumeada

About 6.5 hours, one wayTimed entry

Walk 15 km of levadas and old paved paths, past a viewpoint over the Ribeira Brava valley and a run of tunnels and waterfalls.

The PR6 path running along the levada through laurel forest at Rabaçal

Walk the PR6 levada to the 25 Fontes pool in Madeira

Madeira (Rabaçal)

3 hours for the 8.6 km out and backBook ahead

A levada through UNESCO-listed laurel forest ends at a pool where dozens of small springs run down a mossy wall.

Plan your trip

  • Booking and fees

    All classified PR trails require a reservation on SIMplifica, the regional government's portal, made and paid online before you set out, since mountain coverage is patchy. In 2026 the fee is generally €4.50 for visitors over 12; children 12 and under and Madeira residents are exempt. Walking a PR trail without a reservation is an infraction that can bring a fine.

  • Getting to the trailheads

    Most trailheads are on mountain roads with few or no buses, so rent a car, take taxis or join a walking tour. Linear trails such as Levada do Furado need a pickup at the far end. Some trailhead car parks charge, Queimadas for example at €2 an hour.

  • Trail status and weather

    Each trail is listed as open, restricted or closed on Visit Madeira and the IFCN channels, and landslides or storms can close one overnight, so check on the day. Weather on the north side and in the mountains changes fast; a sunny morning in Funchal says little about Fanal or Queimadas.

  • What to bring

    Boots with grip, a rain layer and a warm layer for the higher trails, water and food, and a head torch for any trail with tunnels, such as Caldeirão Verde or the Pináculo. Paths are often narrow and wet, sometimes with drops, so keep to the levada wall side.

  • When to go

    The levadas can be walked all year. Spring and early summer bring the most water and flowers; autumn is calm and green. In winter, rain closes more trails. Start early at any time of year: the popular trails fill by late morning.

Questions travellers ask

Do you have to book levada walks in Madeira?

Yes, for the classified PR trails. Since 2026 each walker needs a timed reservation on the SIMplifica portal, paid in advance; the fee is generally €4.50 for visitors over 12, and children 12 and under and residents are exempt.

Which levada walks are easiest?

Vereda dos Balcões (1.5 km each way) and Levada do Risco (1.5 km each way) are short and graded easy, and Levada do Alecrim is an easy 3.5 km each way. For wheelchair users, PR6.8 Levada do Paul II at Rabaçal is a 1.2 km path prepared for everyone.

Do you need a guide for the levadas?

Not on the open classified trails, which are signposted. Guided walks are useful if you have no car, want transport to linear trails or prefer company on the longer days; operators with an IFCN agreement pay a reduced fee.

Do you need a torch on the levadas?

On trails with tunnels, yes. Caldeirão Verde passes through four tunnels cut in the rock, and the Pináculo trail and others have more, some long and wet underfoot, so carry a head torch.

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