The 4 most beautiful levadas in Madeira: essential routes through laurel forest, tunnels and waterfalls

Travelling to Madeira is undoubtedly a trip that leaves its mark. One of those that are not easily forgotten and that leave a very good taste in your mouth. As soon as you start touring the island, you will see the majesty of its cliffs and, on rainy days, you will see waterfalls overflowing with water everywhere. The sound of waterfalls accompanies you for much of the trip and you'll see them continuously on the levadas, in ravines or on the roads, cascading practically into the ocean. Walking through the laurel forests and getting lost in the levadas is an experience not to be missed. Madeira has more than 2,000 kilometres of trails and levadas. The wild and rugged landscapes merge with the mist, sometimes with the constant rain and sun, forming curious rainbows and magical images that will remain engraved on your retina. You really feel the adventure take hold of you. So get ready, grab your hiking boots, your mackintosh and let's go for a real adventure in Madeira. Are you ready?

Levada do Caldeirão Verde

This levada is one of the most visited of the island, or the most visited. I have to say that I was personally impressed from beginning to end, it is really very spectacular and wild.

For its wild landscapes, for its route, for all the waterfalls that you will see during the trekking along the levada, for the atmosphere of the aerial landscapes and for the final cherry on top, the Caldeirao Verde.

The route starts in the centuries-old Queimadas forest and takes you into the lush valley of Ribeira de São Jorge. We will have views of Madeira from inside the valley.

The route is practically flat, with little gradient, some steps and the occasional climb, some narrow sections and a multitude of waterfalls, but you will see them especially active after a day of rain and with some mud on the ground, and the route along the levada will be spectacular after it has rained.

The Caldeirao Verde, a large waterfall at the end of the route, is well worth a visit and almost 2 hours of walking to get there, or a little more depending on your pace.

I think a visit to Caldeirao Verde should be a must on your trip to Madeira, because of the magic of the place and the energy it gives off.

There are also a number of tunnels to pass through, so a torch or headlamp is compulsory.

The duration is between 4 and 5 hours round trip at a brisk pace, but with some stops.

Distance: 13km (round trip)  Duration: 4 to 5h  Difficulty: Moderate

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• On rainy days, watch out for stones falling on the levada and watch out for roots in the ground.
• It is advisable to wear trekking boots, mackintosh or goretex sports shoes.
• It is advisable to bring a change of clothes and shoes.
• Also bring food and water for the whole route.
• Optional: if you want to reach the Caldeirao do Inferno waterfall, add 4.5 km more.
• The car park is payable.
• Carry cash if you want to use the services.
• Be careful on the access road, narrow road in both directions.

Levada 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco

This is a very complete and varied route if we complete it with the walk to the Risco waterfall.

The route starts on regional road 105, in Rabaçal. This is one of the most popular levadas on the island, so the flow of tourists is constant.

The trekking starts downhill and we will reach a point where we can choose whether to go to the Risco waterfall (also by a levada) or to go to the Levada 25 Fontes.

The Risco waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Madeira, with a total height of 100 metres.

We can also access it as part of the descent of the Ribeira do Lajeado ravine.

Visiting this waterfall is spectacular and everyone who travels to Madeira should go and see it, it is a truly amazing place.

After going and returning along the same levada (Cascada do Risco) we return to the crossroads and continue our route to Levada 25 Fontes.

Interesting levada full of lush vegetation and beautiful views over the valley of Ribeira de Janela. We will walk along a flat route until we reach the Lagoa das 25 Fontes, which is fed by the water that comes from Paúl da Serra and which we will be able to see distributed in 25 points.

We then return the same way we came, going up some steps that we went down on the way out. The levada is narrow at some points.

There are no tunnels on this route.

Levada Cascata do Risco. Distance: 3km (round trip) Duration: 2h Difficulty: Easy

Levada 25 Fontes. Distance: 8.6 km (round trip)   Duration: From 3 to 4 hours  Difficulty: Moderate

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• On rainy days, watch out for stones falling on the levada and watch out for roots in the ground.
• It is advisable to wear trekking boots, mackintosh or goretex sports shoes.
• It is advisable to bring a change of clothes and shoes.
• Also bring food and water for the whole route.
• Optional: if you also want to see the Risco waterfall, add 3 km more.
• The car park is public. The sandy car park is usually full early. It is also possible to park on the side of the road.
• Carry cash if you want to use the services.

Levada do Rei

Also considered one of the most beautiful on the island, it starts at the Quebradas Water Treatment Plant in São Jorge.

We will start on a stretch of track which, after a short climb, will take us to the beginning of the Levada do Rei, where we will enter a lush forest.

During the journey along the levada, we will see the agricultural landscapes of Santana and São Jorge, and we will come across some small tunnels.

The landscape and the views change along the route, giving us different landscapes of the island.

After the rainfall, we will also find some nice little waterfalls cascading over the levada, which will give the route some adventurous moments.

The levada changes for a moment, and once again we enter a shadier part and a leafy forest that at times gives us aerial views of the island.

When you reach the end, you will find a small path that climbs gently and you will have arrived at Ribeiro Bonito, a truly magical natural space, where water flows in all its splendour and surrounded by the lush vegetation of the laurel forest.

Distance: 10.6 km (return trip)  Duration: From 3h to 3h30  Difficulty: Easy

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• On rainy days, watch out for stones falling on the levada and watch out for roots in the ground.
• It is not necessary to carry a headlamp for the tunnels (they are of short distance).
• It is advisable to wear trekking boots, mackintosh or goretex sports shoes.
• It is advisable to bring a change of clothes and shoes.
• Also bring food and water for the whole route.
• The car park is public. Parking is on the access road at the beginning of the levada.

Waterfalls at the foot of the car

Cascada dos Anjos.

This is a waterfall that falls just above the old ER 101 road (just outside Ponta do Sol) and has gone viral on social media in recent years, and is a popular tourist attraction. 

The waterfall is well worth a visit, because of the captivating location, the views of the Atlantic and the curious fact that it falls on a road where vehicles travel, but it is difficult to find it without tourists at any time of the day. In my case, I went to visit it late in the day and it was still very crowded.

You have to park a little before reaching it and it is only a few minutes' walk to get there.

Paúl do Mar waterfall.

The waterfall is reached by parking on the harbour breakwater in the picturesque old fishing village of Paul do Mar.

Once parked, walk a few metres and climb a few steps (very few) and you will find it right there in a crevice of the cliff with a beautiful view of the ocean.