ON FOOT · LEVADA WALKS
The good levada walks cap their group sizes and fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.
Travel by shared van from Funchal, Caniço, or nearby south-coast towns to Rabaçal for a self-guided hike on the 25 Fontes and Risco levadas. Your English-speaking driver explains the route, provides a map, and returns at the agreed time. Choose the 6 a.m. pickup to reach the waterfalls before the crowds.
“Great walk. Transport arrangements worked very well. Thanks to all”
You’ll ride from Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz, or Machico to Queimadas Natural Park, then follow a 13 km self-guided levada trail through ancient Laurissilva forest. Expect four tunnels, waterfalls, narrow paths, and a lagoon where swimming may be possible. Drivers such as Nuno, Pedro, Diogo, and Cristiano provide the trail briefing and transfer.
“the guide super nice and extremely communicative. We felt under his care. his has picked us up right on time and left us back and agred place. We recommend this Tour and the guide”
Travel from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau to Pico das Pedras, then walk independently through Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest to Caldeirão Verde. Your driver-host, including Vitor, Fabio, Roberto, and Cristiano, provides maps, safety advice, and return pickup. Expect a long, mostly level hike with four dark tunnels, wet paths, and a dramatic waterfall.
“The transfer was on time and we were provided good local information.”
Follow Madeira’s PR6 levada through the Laurissilva forest to the 25 Fountains and nearby waterfalls. Expect about 4 to 4.5 hours on foot, slippery steps, a dark 800-meter tunnel, and a guide such as Ruben, Daria, Samuel, or Marta. Hotel pickup from Funchal and Caniço is included.
“Great hike!!!! Few uphills and downhills but moderate . Love love the hike!!!!! Mostly trails are covered with trees . Our guide and driver are amazing!! Friendly and pleasant !”
Take a self-guided 11 km walk along Madeira’s Levada do Rei from São Jorge to Ribeiro Bonito. Your English or Portuguese-speaking driver handles transport from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau, gives you maps and safety advice, then collects you afterward. Expect a mostly flat trail, waterfalls, forest tunnels, mud, and about four hours on foot.
“The PR 18 hike was a truly great experience for me. Although it was very foggy that day and the view into the valley was impossible, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The pickup went smoothly and on time, and our driver was very friendly and shared lots of interesting information about the island and the hiking routes. To top off an already wonderful day, our driver even made a few extra stops on the way back to show us some fantastic views. Thank you, Christiano, for a great day!”
Spend eight hours hiking 10 kilometers along Madeira’s Levada do Alecrim with a guide from Lido Tours. Expect forest paths, waterfalls, rock pools, mountain lakes, and some steeper sections. Guides such as Sarah and Rubina have been praised for clear explanations and thoughtful pacing. Pickup is available from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço.
“Abgesehen davon, dass es Landschaftlich eine wunderschöne Tour war und auch das Wetter mitgespielt hat,, kann ich nur unseren Tourguide Sarah loben und empfehlen. Ganz toll, herzlich, auf Wünsche eingehend, rücksichtsvoll und sehr informativ und gut gelaunt. Immer wieder gerne mit Lido Tours. Alles klappt, man wird gut informiert vorab. Gibt Sicherheit”
Join a multilingual guide such as Samuel, Martha, or Ruben for a 7-hour Madeira outing to Levada do Rei. Walk about 10 kilometers through São Jorge, past farms, a waterfall, and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest. The trail is mostly gentle, but you need good shoes, food, rain gear, and moderate fitness.
“Rueben was an excellent guide and driver. The tour was extremely well organized.”
This small-group Madeira outing combines a 2.5 to 3-hour self-guided walk along Moinhos Levada and Levada Nova with hotel pickup, a café stop, and free time in Ponta do Sol. Your English-speaking driver explains the route and provides a map. Guide Nelio may lead the day, with waterfalls, bridges, a tunnel, river crossings, and sea time on the schedule.
“The guide was very helpful and flexible with our wishes. We’ve seen nicer levadas, but for a leisurely walk it was ok. Crossing the river on feet is not for the fainthearted; fortunately there are stairs you can use if you don’t want to take that route.”
Other ways to spend the day on foot
Rock, ice, forest or crater rim.
