Levada Hikes & Mountains

Levadas (from "levar," Portuguese for "to carry") are open irrigation channels that have been transporting the rainwater from Madeira's rainy north side to the drier south side since the 16th century. Over 2,500 kilometers of these narrow water channels crisscross the entire island — from the mist-shrouded mountain peaks through dense laurel forests, over dizzying slopes, and through tunnels carved into the rock down to the banana plantations and sugarcane fields on the coast.

The genius: Along most Levadas run narrow maintenance paths, originally built for the Levadeiros (canal keepers) and now serving as unique hiking trails. The paths are relatively flat (the Levadas have a consistent gradient of only 1–2%), allowing you to hike for hours at a constant level through the landscape — without the steep ascents and descents that mountain hikes typically entail.

Practical Tips for Levada Hikes

• Shoes: Sturdy, non-slip hiking boots or trail-running shoes. The paths along the Levadas are often wet, muddy, and moss-covered — flip-flops are a recipe for disaster.
• Flashlight / Headlamp: Essential for Levadas with tunnels (Caldeirão Verde, 25 Fontes). Some tunnels are 50–200 meters long, pitch dark, and low — a headlamp frees up your hands.
• Rain Gear: In the mountains and the north, it can rain at any time, even when it's sunny in Funchal. A light rain cover should always be in your backpack.
• Fear of Heights: Some Levadas run along steep slopes, sometimes with narrow paths and no railings. Those who suffer from a fear of heights should inform themselves about the route beforehand.
• Water & Snacks: At least 1 liter of water per person, plus snacks. There are no refreshment options along the way.

The Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9) is Madeira's most famous and one of the most spectacular Levada hikes — a path through the deepest laurel forest, through dark tunnels and past waterfalls to a natural amphitheater where a 100-meter high waterfall plunges into an emerald green pool.

The Route

Start: Queimadas Forestry Park (880 m altitude, parking available)
Length: 13 km round trip (6.5 km each way)
Duration: 4–5 hours (round trip)
Difficulty: Medium — relatively flat, but tunnels and narrow sections
Elevation Difference: Minimal (the path follows the Levada at a constant level)

The path initially leads through dense laurel forest — moss-covered trunks, tree ferns, banks of mist, and a silence only broken by the trickling of the Levada. After about 3 km, you reach the tunnels — four in total, the longest about 200 meters. In rubber boots and with a headlamp, you wade through ankle-deep water while the rock drips above you. Adventurous and unforgettable.

At the end, the valley opens into a natural amphitheater: The Caldeirão Verde (Green Cauldron) is a circular rock basin into which a 100-meter high waterfall plunges — surrounded by lush greenery and ferns. A magical place. Those who still have energy can continue to the Caldeirão do Inferno (Hell's Cauldron) — an additional 2.5 km, with even more tunnels and a second, equally impressive waterfall.

The Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6) and the neighboring Levada do Risco are a double feature that ranks among Madeira's most photogenic hikes. Both start at the same point and lead through dense laurel forest to a spectacular waterfall finale.

Levada das 25 Fontes

Start: Rabaçal Forestry Park (parking lot at 1,290 m, shuttle bus or 2 km descent to the starting point)
Length: 9.4 km (circular route over both Levadas possible)
Duration: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Easy to medium

The path follows the Levada through the laurel forest, through a short tunnel and past moss-covered rocks to a breathtaking finale: a natural amphitheater where 25 springs (Fontes) gush from the rock wall, feeding a waterfall that cascades into an emerald green pool. The place has an almost mystical atmosphere — especially in the mist, when the waterfall shimmers through the clouds.

Levada do Risco

Only 1 km from the 25-Fontes junction: a 100-meter high, vertical waterfall plunging into a deep gorge. The hike there is easy (20 minutes from the junction) and impressive. The Risco waterfall is especially magnificent after rainy days — a white column of water thundering from the rock edge into the depths.

Combination Tip: Both Levadas can be perfectly combined as a circular route: descent to the Rabaçal starting point, first Levada do Risco (short), then back and continue to 25 Fontes, and on the return via Levada do Risco back. Total duration: 3–4 hours.

The hike from Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) is Madeira's royal hike — and one of the most spectacular high-altitude hikes in all of Europe. The path leads over narrow mountain ridges, through tunnels carved into the rock, and past dizzying abysses, while below you a sea of clouds surges, through which the mountain peaks rise like islands.

The Route

Start: Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m, reachable by car, parking available)
Destination: Pico Ruivo (1,862 m, highest point of Madeira)
Length: 7 km (one way) / 14 km round trip
Duration: 3–4 hours (one way), 5–7 hours round trip
Difficulty: Challenging — steep sections, tunnels, sure-footedness required
Elevation Difference: Approx. 500 m ascent/descent (the path has several ascents and descents)

The hike begins at Pico do Arieiro, Madeira's third-highest peak, which you can easily reach by car. From here, in clear weather, you can see the entire island, Porto Santo, and sometimes even the Desertas Islands. The path initially leads over a narrow ridge with steep slopes on both sides — to the left the north with mist and green valleys, to the right the south with sun and the open Atlantic.

Along the way, you pass several tunnels (flashlight needed!), steep stairs carved into the rock, and the intermediate peak Pico das Torres. The final ascent to Pico Ruivo rewards with the ultimate 360-degree panorama of Madeira: the entire island lies beneath you, surrounded by the endless Atlantic.

Alternative: Those who do not want to hike back and forth can also reach Pico Ruivo from Achada do Teixeira (2.8 km, 45 minutes, easy). From there, it is an easy walking path to the summit. Those with two cars or who organize a transfer can hike the route as a one-way trip Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo → Achada do Teixeira.

Besides the classics, Madeira offers dozens of other Levada hikes for every taste and fitness level. Here is a selection of the best:

Easy Hikes (1–2 hours)

• Vereda dos Balcões (PR11): Only 1.5 km, 30 minutes — a simple walking path to the Balcões viewpoint with panoramic views into the Ribeira da Metade valley and the highest peaks. Perfect for beginners.
• Levada do Furado (PR10): 11 km, 3–4 hours — an easy, shaded Levada through laurel forest between Ribeiro Frio and Portela. Less spectacular than Caldeirão Verde, but quieter and easier.

Medium Hikes (3–5 hours)

• Levada da Serra do Faial (PR12): One of the quietest and most underrated Levadas — 10 km through lush forest with few other hikers. Ideal for nature lovers seeking tranquility.
• Levada Nova & Levada do Moinho: In the south, from Ponta do Sol — a sunny Levada through banana plantations and terraced fields with views of the Atlantic. A completely different character than the misty northern Levadas.
• Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8): 8 km — not a Levada, but a coastal hiking trail at Madeira's eastern tip. Dramatic cliffs, dry vegetation (quite different from the rest of the island), and fantastic views of the Desertas Islands. One of Madeira's most beautiful hiking trails.

Challenging Hikes (5–8 hours)

• Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno: Extension of the Caldeirão Verde hike — an additional 5 km through even wilder terrain with more tunnels and a second massive waterfall. Only for experienced hikers.
• Caminho Real da Encumeada: 15 km from Boca da Encumeada to Curral das Freiras, the "Nun's Valley" — a historic route through dramatic mountain scenery. Curral das Freiras lies in a deep volcanic crater and was once so remote that nuns sought refuge here from pirates.