Which levada should I do?
Six levada walks compared honestly. Waterfalls, crowds, forest depth, and what each one actually delivers.
Quick answer
You want a waterfall
Caldeirão Verde or 25 Fontes
Both deliver. PR1 is wilder; PR17 has two stops.
You want forest and quiet
Levada do Rei
Less visited than the waterfall routes.
You have half a day
Levada do Alecrim
2 hours flat. Plateau views above the clouds.
Filter by what matters to you
Caldeirão Verde
Santana
The waterfall hike everyone talks about
Four tunnels, dense laurisilva, and a final waterfall that drops into a circular basin. The last 700m tunnel has no lighting — torches are essential and that alone filters casual walkers. The payoff is one of the most dramatic waterfall settings in Madeira.
Watch out: Bring two torches per person. The fourth tunnel is long and unlit. Can be slippery after rain.
Best for: First-time levada hikers who want the 'real' Madeira experience.
Full guideLevada do Rei
São Jorge
Ancient laurel forest with almost no crowds
Follows an old royal irrigation channel through primary laurisilva. The forest is older and denser than most levada routes — massive til and laurel trees, constant birdsong, and very few day-trippers. You can go most of a weekday without seeing another group.
Watch out: Some sections are narrow and exposed. Not suitable for those with severe vertigo.
Best for: Repeat visitors wanting the forest experience without the PR1 crowds.
Full guideLevada das 25 Fontes
Paul da Serra / Rabaçal
The most photographed levada — for good reason
A short detour off the main levada leads to the 25 Fontes basin — a hidden rock amphitheatre fed by 25 springs. The main trail also passes Risco waterfall, one of the tallest on the island. Two iconic stops in one walk.
Watch out: The Rabaçal access road fills completely by 9 AM on weekends. Take the shuttle bus from the Paul da Serra plateau. Go on a weekday if at all possible.
Best for: Anyone who wants two waterfall payoffs and is comfortable with crowds.
Full guideRibeiro Frio – Portela
Ribeiro Frio / Machico
A one-way traverse with valley views and easy gradient
One of the few levada walks best done point-to-point. Starts in the cool laurel forest at Ribeiro Frio, descends gradually through mixed forest, and ends at Portela with wide views over the east. Arrange a taxi one-way or return the same route.
Watch out: If going point-to-point, arrange transport in advance. The return walk is the same distance and adds 4-5h.
Best for: Families and less experienced walkers who want a full-day feel with minimal climbing.
Full guideLevada do Alecrim
Paul da Serra
Flat plateau walk above the clouds
A short, almost-flat levada across the Paul da Serra plateau at 1,300m. When cloud fills the valleys below and the plateau sits above it, this is one of the most atmospheric walks on the island. The heather moorland and silence are completely unlike the rest of Madeira.
Watch out: The plateau can be cold and windy even in summer. Wear layers. If cloud is on the plateau rather than below it, visibility drops to metres.
Best for: Short on time, travelling with children, or wanting something easy on a rest day.
Full guideLevada Nova (Canhas)
Ponta do Sol
Cliff-edge southern escarpment with sea views
Runs along the southern escarpment above Ponta do Sol. The channel path is cut into a near-vertical cliff face with dramatic drops to the coast. The views south to the Atlantic are unobstructed. Far fewer visitors than the northern levadas.
Watch out: Exposed sections with steep drops. Not recommended for those uncomfortable with heights. Some sections are less maintained than northern routes.
Best for: Confident walkers wanting views and solitude over waterfalls.
Full guide