Madeira is one of the best hiking destinations in Europe with wonderful and incredibly varied nature. And Levadas are practically synonymous with hiking on Madeira. There are so many Levada walks on Madeira that you could spend weeks exploring without getting bored. Many of the Levadas are suitable for all ages, as they’re mostly completely fllat with no strenuous climbs. Alongside the official Levadas, there are also countless classic hiking trails of all difficulty levels on Madeira. In short – if you love walking, Madeira will not disappoint.
But which are actually the best Levada walks on Madeira? Which ones shouldn’t you miss? We’ve put together our top 5 Levada walks and hikes on Madeira with all the information you need.
Last updated: May 2026
Madeira Hikes at a Glance
Key Facts
Best time to visit: Year-round (spring & autumn ideal)Difficulty: Easy to challenging
Distance: 8–13 km per hike
Duration: 3–6 hours per hike
Our Top Hikes
Levada das 25 Fontes (Moderate)Levada do Caldeirão Verde (Easy–Moderate)
Levada do Moinho & Nova (Easy)
Pico do Arieiro → Pico Ruivo (Challenging)
What exactly is a Levada?
A Levada is essentially a small water channel on Madeira that carries water from the rainy north of the island to the agricultural areas in the drier south. Since the north receives significantly more rainfall than the south, the Levadas were a clever solution to irrigate the sunnier southern fields.
Some of the Levadas on Madeira were built as far back as the 15th century – before any roads existed on the island – and many are still in operation today. In total there are said to be over 2,500 kilometres of Levadas on Madeira, and you can walk along the vast majority of them.
How does it work? To maintain and repair the channels, workers needed access paths running alongside them. These maintenance paths are what we use today as hiking trails.
The paths next to the Levadas are sometimes just half a metre wide and sometimes one to two metres. Most are protected by a railing, but occasionally there’s nothing between you and a serious drop. So: watch your step!
Either way, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views – the Levadas wind their way across the entire island, offering scenery that’s hard to match anywhere else.
The Best Levada Walks on Madeira
In our top list of the best Levada walks on Madeira, we’ve included not only true Levada routes but also classic hiking trails that don’t follow a water channel. Since most people use the word Levada as a general term for hiking on Madeira, we think that makes sense.
#1 Levada das 25 Fontes: Waterfall Trail through the Laurel Forest
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11 km
Elevation: 350 m
Duration: 4–5 hours
The Levada das 25 Fontes is one of the most popular hikes on all of Madeira – and for good reason. The name comes from the many springs and waterfalls along the route and at the destination. The highlight at the end: the spectacular 25 Fontes waterfall cascading into a natural pool.
An additional highlight is the Risco Waterfall, which you can only see from one angle on the official trail. We took an alternative route that gave us a completely different – and far more spectacular – perspective on the Risco, while avoiding most of the other tourists along the way.
Our alternative route is a bit more demanding, but the peace, quiet and untouched nature more than make up for the extra effort.
In total you’ll cover 11 kilometres and 350 metres of elevation gain. Allow 4–5 hours for this hike, which combines two Levadas into one route.
Tip: Start early – the car park at Rabaçal is limited and fills up fast.
Parking: Rabaçal – free, but limited (arrive early!)
Full details about the route and our alternative variant: Levada das 25 Fontes | Our Off-the-Beaten-Track Route
Seasky Arco in Calheta
- large apartments up to 1-2 floors
- private bathroom
- fully equipped kitchen
- amazing view of the sea
- pool and private terrace
- private parking place
The apartment complex Seasky Arco* is located above the town of Calhete in the southwest of Madeira on a steep slope.
Thanks to the very steep access road, getting there is anything but easy, but you won't be bothered by any traffic and you'll have a direct view of the sunset on the Atlantic.
There are floor-to-ceiling windows, a private pool, a huge terrace and a huge bed from which you can watch the sun go down. Simply a wonderful place to come to rest and relax from the strenuous hikes. We felt mega comfortable here!
Seasky Arco | Check Availability*
#2 Levada do Caldeirão Verde: The Green Cauldron
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Distance: 13 km
Elevation: 80 m
Duration: 4–5 hours
The Levada do Caldeirão Verde is one of the most beautiful hikes on all of Madeira. What makes it so special are the countless waterfalls that pour alongside – and sometimes directly onto – the path. Right from the start you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
Everything is lush and green, and the Caldeirão Verde – the “green cauldron” – waiting at the end will leave you speechless. The trail starts at Queimadas Forest Park, where ducks, geese and charming timber houses greet you. The Levada was built in the 18th century and runs through the extraordinary Laurisilva forest, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1999.
There are 4 tunnels along the route, but almost no elevation gain. The destination is the breathtaking Caldeirão Verde – a narrow, towering gorge draped in lush vegetation, with a slender waterfall dropping over 110 metres into the depths.
Tip: Bring a head torch – the tunnels are completely dark and longer than you’d expect.
Parking: Queimadas Forest Park – free
Full details about the hike: Levada do Caldeirão Verde | Tips for Your Madeira Hike
#3 Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova: Stunning Coastal Views
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 9 km
Elevation: 100 m
Duration: approx. 4 hours
For us personally, this was one of the most beautiful Levada walks on all of Madeira – and one of the most relaxed. The combination of two almost parallel Levadas means no tedious backtracking, but two completely different perspectives on the valley and the sea.
The walk starts in the small village of Lombada da Ponta do Sol in the south of Madeira. The Levada do Moinho takes you gently into the valley with a panoramic view the entire way. At the end you switch to the higher-up Levada Nova for the return journey – same direction, completely different view.
The Levada do Moinho is the lower of the two and leads you to a picnic spot where you cross a stream twice before climbing up to the Levada Nova, about 100 metres higher up.
The highlight on the Levada Nova – besides the incredible views – is a waterfall that appears around a bend, completely out of nowhere. Really special. In total: 9 kilometres, which took us just under 4 hours.
Tip: The Levada Nova has no railing at some points – worth keeping in mind if you’re not great with heights.
Parking: Lombada da Ponta do Sol – free, follow the small road towards Levada do Moinho
Full details: Levada do Moinho & Nova | Our Hiking Report
More Top Hikes on Madeira (Not Levadas)
Alongside the Levadas, Madeira has some other spectacular hiking routes that don’t follow a water channel – but are just as unforgettable. We didn’t want to leave these two out.
Ponta de São Lourenço: Raw Cliffs at the Wild Eastern Tip
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Distance: 8 km
Elevation: 250 m
Duration: 3–4 hours
The Ponta de São Lourenço in the east of Madeira genuinely surprised us. After the island welcomed us with lush green landscapes, this peninsula felt like a completely different world – bare, dramatic, almost desert-like. Ochre and rust-red cliffs, turquoise sea, wind in your face. Absolutely spectacular.
The trail is well maintained and signposted, though some sections are uneven and there are a few climbs. There are virtually no trees on the peninsula (except at the Oasis restaurant), so on a sunny day it can get very hot. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
It’s a popular hike so you won’t have it to yourself – but it’s absolutely worth it. The views you get here you simply won’t find anywhere else on Madeira. The viewpoint at the end of the trail with its outlook to the lighthouse is genuinely breathtaking.
Tip: Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person – there’s nothing to buy along the way and you’ll use more than you think in the heat.
Parking: Caniçal – free car park at the trailhead, arrive early
More details about the hike: Ponta de São Lourenço | Hiking Report & Tips
Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo: The King of Madeira Hikes
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 12 km
Elevation: 1,000 m
Duration: 4–6 hours
If you only do one hike on Madeira, make it this one. The trail from Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m) to Pico Ruivo – the highest peak on the island – is the most spectacular hike Madeira has to offer. Full stop.
Pico do Arieiro at sunrise
The route takes you along mountain ridges, through tunnels, past ravines and offers views you simply won’t forget. Clouds below you, peaks all around, and the early morning light is something else entirely. We started at sunrise – one of the best decisions we made on our entire Madeira trip.
But be warned: this hike is physically demanding. 1,000 metres of elevation gain, steep descents and a tough final climb just before the summit. The path can also be slippery and wet. We were completely done by the end – and completely in love with it at the same time.
Proper hiking boots are not optional here, they’re essential. And if you want more: from Pico Ruivo you can continue to Achada do Teixeira, adding another 5 km at a much gentler difficulty level.
Tip: Start at sunrise – best light, fewer people and the trail is still cool. The car park at Pico do Arieiro fills up very quickly.
Parking: Pico do Arieiro – free, follow road PR1/ER202. Arrive very early or take a taxi from your hotel.
More details: Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo | Hiking Report & Tips
What to Bring for a Levada Walk
- Wear good hiking clothes – layers work best. The weather on Madeira can be unpredictable.
- Bring enough water and snacks. There’s usually nothing to buy along the way and you should not drink the water from the Levadas.
- A torch or head lamp is very useful in the dark tunnels. Your phone light will do in a pinch, but a proper torch is better.
- Check the status of the trail before you go (on visitmadeira.pt). Trails can close suddenly due to rockfalls or heavy rain.
- Plan your time carefully (including breaks) to make sure you’re back at the starting point before dark.
- Stay on the official trail and leave no trace.