What is a levada?
Levadas are irrigation channels. They carry water from the wet, mountainous north of the island to the farms and villages of the sunnier south. Madeirans started building them in the 15th century, soon after the island was settled, and today the network is more than 2,000 km long. Next to most channels runs a narrow maintenance path, and that path is what you walk on.
Many of the best levadas cross the Laurisilva, Madeira’s ancient laurel forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Expect moss-covered trees, giant ferns, mist and the constant sound of running water.
Mountains covered in Laurisilva, Madeira’s ancient laurel forest.
New in 2026: book your trail before you go
Since 1 January 2026, every classified walking trail (the ones with a “PR” number) needs a reservation on SIMplifica, the regional government’s online portal. You create an account, choose the trail, the date and a 30-minute entry slot, and pay online. Rangers can ask to see your booking, so keep it on your phone.
| Ticket (visitors over 12) | Price |
|---|---|
| One trail | €4.50 |
| PR1 Pico do Areeiro → Pedra Rija viewpoint (return) | €4.50 |
| PR1 Pico do Areeiro → Pico Ruivo (one-way) | €10.50 |
| Two or more trails on the same day (not PR1) | €9.00 |
| 3-day pass (not PR1) | €22.50 |
| 7-day pass (not PR1) | €52.50 |
Source: Visit Madeira, rules checked in October 2026.
Children aged 12 and under don’t pay. Madeira residents don’t pay or book, but they still need to register on the portal. The most popular trails and the early slots fill up first, especially in high season, so book a few days ahead. Walking a classified trail without a valid booking can lead to a fine.
The 7 best walks at a glance
| Trail | Distance | Time | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR11 Vereda dos Balcões | 3 km return | 1h30 | Easy |
| PR6.1 Levada do Risco | 3 km return | 2h | Easy |
| PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes | 8.6 km return | 3h | Moderate |
| PR18 Levada do Rei | 10.6 km return | 3h30 | Moderate |
| PR8 Ponta de São Lourenço | 8 km return | 2h30 | Moderate |
| PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde | 17.4 km return | 6h30 | Moderate, long |
| PR1 Vereda do Areeiro | 6.1 km one-way | 3h | Moderate, steep |
Distances and times are the official estimates from Visit Madeira. Drive times below are approximate, from Caniço.
1. Vereda dos Balcões (PR11): the best view for the least effort
A wide, gentle path from Ribeiro Frio to the Balcões viewpoint, where the green valleys of the Laurisilva open up in front of you. On clear days you can see Pico do Areeiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo. On the way back, stop at the small trout farm in Ribeiro Frio. Perfect for families, for your first day or when you are short on time.
2. Levada do Risco (PR6.1): a waterfall in a short walk
This walk starts at Rabaçal, on the high plateau in the west of the island. The path is short and mostly flat and ends at a viewpoint over the Risco waterfall, a white line of water falling down dark volcanic rock. Since it starts at the same place as 25 Fontes, many people walk both on the same day: book them together with the €9 day ticket.
3. Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6): the island’s most famous levada
The path follows the levada through laurel forest, with views over the Ribeira da Janela valley, to a lagoon fed by twenty-five springs that trickle down a mossy rock wall. It is the most popular walk on the island, so the earliest entry slots are the best way to enjoy it in peace. Some sections are narrow and have steps, and parts of the route can have one-way rules at busy times, so follow the signs and take your time.
Waterfalls are the reward on many levada walks in the west and north of Madeira.
4. Levada do Rei (PR18): the quiet alternative
If you want a classic levada without the crowds, head to São Jorge on the north coast. The channel stays almost flat the whole way, between 535 and 573 metres of altitude. It passes farmland and tunnels of vegetation and goes deep into the Laurisilva, ending at Ribeiro Bonito, a small and hidden natural sanctuary. Nearby, the São Jorge water mill still grinds cereals with the levada’s water.
5. Ponta de São Lourenço (PR8): not a levada, but unmissable
The eastern tip of Madeira is the opposite of the green interior: a dry, windy volcanic peninsula with red, ochre and black cliffs and views of both the north and the south coast. It is a nature reserve with one of the largest seagull colonies in the region, and with some luck you might even see a monk seal. In summer, finish with a swim at Cais do Sardinha.
6. Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9): the classic long walk
From Queimadas Forest Park, near Santana, an 18th-century levada takes you through dense Laurisilva and four tunnels carved in the rock to the Caldeirão Verde lake, where a waterfall drops into a green pool. Fit walkers can continue to Caldeirão do Inferno. It is a full-day walk, so start early. Parking at Queimadas costs €2 per hour.
The Caldeirão Verde waterfall and lagoon, the goal of PR9.
7. Vereda do Areeiro (PR1): the big one
Not a levada, but Madeira’s most spectacular mountain trail. It links Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, the highest peaks on the island, with rock tunnels, steep stone stairs around Pico das Torres and the “Homem em Pé” (Standing Man) rock formation. Beyond the Pedra Rija viewpoint the trail is one-way, so you cannot come back the same way. You finish on the Pico Ruivo side and need transport back: most people join a guided tour or arrange a taxi. If you only want the views, walk the first 1.2 km to Pedra Rija and back (€4.50).
The ridge trail near Pico do Areeiro.
What to bring and how to stay safe
- Good walking shoes with grip. Levada paths are often wet and slippery.
- Layers and a rain jacket. Mountain weather changes fast, and the north is often misty or rainy.
- A head torch for trails with tunnels, like PR9 and PR1.
- Water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and a charged phone.
- Start early. You get better light, clearer mountain views and easier parking.
- Stay on marked paths and never walk a closed trail. In an emergency, call 112.
Levada walks from Coastal Garden
Coastal Garden, our apartment in Caniço, is a practical base for hiking. Ponta de São Lourenço and the Ribeiro Frio trails are both within about 30 to 40 minutes by car, Pico do Areeiro is about 45 minutes away, and the north-coast levadas are around an hour away. After a long day on the trail, you come back to a sunny balcony with ocean views. Our 5- and 7-day packages include guided tours and a rental car, so you can mix guided hikes with walks on your own. Want to see where everything is? Open our interactive map of Madeira.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to walk the levadas in Madeira?
Yes, on the classified trails (the ones with a PR number). Since 1 January 2026 you need a reservation on the SIMplifica portal, with a 30-minute entry slot. The fee is €4.50 per trail for visitors over 12, and €10.50 for the full PR1 from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo. Children aged 12 and under don't pay, and Madeira residents are exempt from payment.
What is the easiest levada walk in Madeira?
Vereda dos Balcões (PR11) and Levada do Risco (PR6.1) are the easiest. Both are about 3 km return on mostly flat paths and take around 1.5 to 2 hours, which makes them good for families and first-time walkers.
Which is the most famous levada walk in Madeira?
Levada das 25 Fontes (PR6) and Levada do Caldeirão Verde (PR9) are the best known. Both are very popular, so book an early entry slot for a quieter walk.
Do I need a guide to walk the levadas?
Not for most trails, which are well signposted. A guided tour is useful for PR1, which is one-way beyond the Pedra Rija viewpoint and needs transport at the end, and if you prefer not to drive mountain roads.
When is the best time of year to walk the levadas?
You can walk the levadas all year. Spring is the greenest season, summer is usually the driest, and in winter the north side of the island can be wet. At higher altitude, mornings often have clearer views than afternoons.
Walk the levadas,
sleep by the ocean
Coastal Garden in Caniço: ocean-view balcony, private garage, 10 minutes from Funchal.