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PR9 North — Santana

Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Madeira's most celebrated levada walk and the archetype of the north. From the thatched A-frame shelter at Queimadas the path runs almost level along an 18th-century channel cut to water the fields of Faial, plunging into the densest interior of the UNESCO Laurisilva. Four rock tunnels punctuate the route — bring a torch and expect water underfoot — before the channel rounds a final escarpment to the Caldeirão Verde, a green-walled amphitheatre where the Ribeiro do Caldeirão Verde drops roughly 100 m into a dark pool. The drops beside the unfenced channel are real and the basalt is slick when wet. Visit Madeira gives the official PR9 as 8.7 km one-way / 17.4 km round trip; in practice GPS tracks to the waterfall and back cluster around 11.5–13.5 km.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

17.4 kmLength6.5 hTimemoderateGrade

PR9 North — Santana

Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno

Not a separate trail but the full extent of the official PR9: from Caldeirão Verde the channel pushes a further ~2.4 km through a string of narrow, often flooded tunnels into the Caldeirão do Inferno, a sheer-sided canyon closed by a final towering waterfall. This is the demanding end of the route — guidebooks count around eleven tunnels in total and rate the complete out-and-back as hard, a full day of 6–7 hours or more. The popular shorthand 'PR9.1' for this extension is a misnomer: the official register names the whole Queimadas–Caldeirão Verde–Caldeirão do Inferno line as PR9, while the real PR9.1 is a short accessible path (Queimadas–Pico das Pedras) elsewhere.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

17.4 kmLength6.5 hTimehardGrade

PR11 North — Ribeiro Frio (Santana municipality)

Vereda dos Balcões

The north's easiest classic: a near-level 1.5 km each way along the Levada da Serra do Faial from Ribeiro Frio to the Balcões — the 'balconies' — a railed promontory looking deep into the Metade valley and, on a clear day, across to the central peaks of Pico do Areeiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo, with the Fajã da Nogueira hydro plant far below. Through laurel forest alive with chaffinches and endemic flora, it is ideal for families and a fine half-hour acclimatiser. Visit Madeira gives 1.5 km / 3 km round trip, 1:30 h, Easy, altitude 880/870 m. The municipality on the official register is Santana, placing it firmly in the north, though it pairs naturally with the PR10 Levada do Furado that starts nearby.

Family-friendly

3 kmLength1.5 hTimeeasyGrade

PR18 North — São Jorge (Santana municipality)

Levada do Rei

The 'King's Levada' climbs gently from the edge of São Jorge into one of the most intact and least-trodden tracts of laurel forest in the north. The well-graded channel winds through a green corridor — vegetation arches overhead like natural tunnels — past a working water mill three centuries old, beneath a small waterfall, and finally into the secluded Ribeiro Bonito, where spring water sheets down a rock wall some 100 m above the streambed. Visit Madeira gives it as 5.3 km each way (10.6 km round trip), 3:30 h, Moderate, altitude 573/535 m. Despite its royal name the channel is early 20th century (built by order of King D. Manuel II), not medieval. It is technically easy with little exposure, though the channel edge warrants care.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

10.6 kmLength3.5 hTimemoderateGrade

PR1.2 North — Santana

Vereda do Pico Ruivo

The shortest path to the roof of Madeira. This VEREDA climbs from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) on a well-maintained paved-and-cobbled path with some steep stair sections, passing stone emergency shelters built against the massif's abrupt weather changes. Visit Madeira gives 2.8 km one-way (5.6 km round trip) and grades it moderate; most operators rate it easy given the modest ~260 m of climbing and 1.5–2 hour round trip. The 'Homem em Pé' rock formation stands near the trailhead, and the Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo shelter just below the summit connects to PR1 and other massif trails.

Has tunnels
Family-friendly

5.6 kmLength1.5 hTimeeasyGrade

Northwest — Porto Moniz

Levada da Ribeira da Janela

The far northwest's epic, and a deliberate exception on this list: the Levada da Ribeira da Janela is not a classified PR trail, but it is one of the most ambitious tunnel walks on Madeira. The channel follows the right bank of the Ribeira da Janela — the longest river on the island — deep into a cliff-walled valley, the path hugging the inside wall above the gorge. Its centrepiece is a tunnel of more than 1,200 m, pitch-dark, dripping and partly flooded, with waterfalls spilling inside; in all there are roughly seven to nine tunnels. Crystalline pools punctuate the route, some deep enough to swim. Distances vary sharply with the chosen variant: about 11.5 km one-way along the levada, a long ~22.8 km full out-and-back, or roughly 16 km looped via the Vereda do Galhano. Edges are crumbly and exposed — for sure-footed hikers only.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

22.8 kmLength7.25 hTimehardGrade

PR14 Northwest — Fanal / Ribeira da Janela (Porto Moniz)

Levada dos Cedros

Descending from the misty Fanal plateau, the Levada dos Cedros follows a 17th-century channel fed by the springs of Lombo do Cedro at around 1,000 m, threading some of the oldest and most intact laurel forest on Madeira. The walk's glory is its trees: centuries-old Til (Ocotea foetens) standing 30–40 m high, a few of them already ancient when the island was discovered in the 15th century. The path skirts the steep right bank of the Ribeira da Janela before ending at Curral Falso on the E.R. 209. Visit Madeira gives 7.2 km, 3 h, Moderate, altitude 1,090/840 m. It is a one-way (linear) route, so plan a pick-up or onward transport.

Has tunnels

7.2 kmLength3 hTimemoderateGrade

PR13 Northwest — Fanal / Paúl da Serra (Porto Moniz)

Vereda do Fanal

More a forest footpath than a levada, the Vereda do Fanal traverses the high Paúl da Serra plateau through a wide expanse of UNESCO laurel forest in superb condition, ending at the Fanal — a shallow volcanic crater designated a Rest-and-Quiet Reserve and famous worldwide for its gnarled, fog-haunted Til trees. The route passes the Sítio do Fio, where a historic cableway once lowered timber and brushwood off the plateau. Visit Madeira gives 10.8 km, 4 h, Moderate, altitude 1,420/1,130 m, with the official classified line running from Assobiadores onward toward Encumeada. Exposure is low, but the plateau is frequently in cloud — which is precisely what gives the Fanal its otherworldly atmosphere.

Has tunnels

10.8 kmLength4 hTimemoderateGrade

PR16 North — São Vicente

Levada Fajã do Rodrigues

A compact, rewarding walk into the green amphitheatre of the São Vicente valley. From Ginjas the level path follows the Fajã do Rodrigues channel through a series of tunnels — including one long, narrow bore of around a kilometre that demands a torch — to a finale of waterfalls where the main cascade pours into a small pool fed by the Ribeira do Inferno, the river that gives the levada its water. The vegetation shifts from introduced species to native laurel forest, and the valley walls deliver constant panoramas. Visit Madeira gives it as 3.9 km each way (7.8 km round trip), 3:30 h, Moderate, altitude 630/600 m; WalkMe records 8.1 km / 2:45 h and rates it Easy.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

7.8 kmLength3.5 hTimeeasyGrade

PR1 Central Massif — Santana / Funchal border

Vereda do Areeiro (Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo)

This is a VEREDA, not a levada — a footpath blasted and carved into the spine of the central massif rather than a water channel. PR1 links Madeira's two great viewpoint peaks, starting at the Pico do Arieiro car park (1,818 m), crossing Pico das Torres (1,851 m) and ending atop Pico Ruivo (1,862 m), the highest point in the archipelago and the third-highest in Portugal. The path threads tunnels dug through volcanic tuff that once sheltered shepherds and livestock, climbs rock-cut staircases, and runs along knife-edge ridges with drops of 500 m or more to either side, frequently above the cloud line. Visit Madeira lists it as 6.1–7 km and grades it moderate, though its length, exposure and altitude see it widely rated hard. Following the August 2024 wildfire the route reopened in late April 2026 and now operates one-way, Arieiro to Ruivo. A premium entry fee applies via the SIMplifica portal.

Has tunnels

7 kmLength3.5 hTimehardGrade

PR10 Central-East — Ribeiro Frio to Portela

Levada do Furado

The PR10 is the classic Central-East levada walk and follows one of the oldest public levadas on the island (the channel itself dated to 1822), running downhill through deep Laurisilva from the trout-farm hamlet of Ribeiro Frio to the pass at Portela. It is a long but largely gentle contour walk, with an initial undulating forest stretch giving way to open balconies above the Faial and Porto da Cruz valleys, framed by the great monolith of Penha d'Águia. The trail is mostly easy underfoot but earns its 'moderate' rating from its length and a handful of narrow, partially exposed ledge sections; an alternative high variant climbs toward Pico do Suna. As of early 2026 a section is affected by a landslide and pavement damage — check current status before setting out.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

11 kmLength5 hTimemoderateGrade

Central-East — Choupana / Camacha / Santo da Serra

Levada da Serra do Faial

The Levada da Serra do Faial is a long, near-level water channel that contours the eastern highlands at roughly 700–800 m, linking the heights above Funchal (Choupana) eastward through Camacha and Santo da Serra and ultimately feeding toward the Ribeiro Frio system where the Levada do Furado begins. It is most often walked as the gentle Choupana–Camacha leg — sometimes marketed as the 'Levada Vale Paraíso' — a wide, flat, shaded path through mixed oak, pine, eucalyptus and laurel woodland with intermittent panoramas over the capital and its valleys. Its flatness and width make it one of the most accessible levada walks on Madeira, with no significant exposure.

Has tunnels
Family-friendly

6.2 kmLength2.25 hTimeeasyGrade

PR24 East — Porto da Cruz

Levada do Castelejo

The PR24 is an uncrowded levada walk on the rugged east coast above Porto da Cruz, following the Castelejo channel from the hamlet of Referta out to a small waterfall and footbridge where the stream feeds the levada. The early sections pass terraced farmland and laurel forest, but the trail's character is defined by a long stretch of narrow ledge suspended on the open hillside with high, largely unprotected exposure — comfortable walking underfoot but unsuitable for anyone uneasy with heights. It is a there-and-back route, returning the same way after the waterfall.

Waterfall on the route

8.8 kmLength3 hTimemoderateGrade

PR8 East — São Lourenço peninsula (Caniçal / Machico)

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço

The PR8 is Madeira's most famous coastal walk and a deliberate counterpoint to the island's green levadas: it is a vereda (footpath), NOT a water channel, crossing the bare, wind-scoured volcanic peninsula that forms Madeira's eastern tip. The trail undulates over red, ochre and grey cliffs with the Atlantic on both flanks, threading a Partial Nature Reserve of rare endemic plants and seabird colonies before reaching the green oasis of Casa do Sardinha, where a path drops to a swimming cove. There is no shade, the wind is often fierce, and several sections run close to unprotected drops. It is moderate by effort but should not be underestimated in heat or strong wind.

Has tunnels

6 kmLength2.5 hTimemoderateGrade

East — Machico to Porto da Cruz (via Boca do Risco)

Vereda do Larano / Boca do Risco

The great historic coastal traverse of eastern Madeira — a vereda, not a levada, though many walkers begin on the easy, flat Levada do Caniçal above Machico before the trail turns wild. It follows the old caminho real that for centuries was the only land route between Machico and Porto da Cruz before the road tunnels were cut. The dramatic centrepiece is the Boca do Risco, the 'Mouth of Risk', a wind-blasted clifftop notch where the path runs along a narrow, unprotected shelf roughly 300 m above the crashing north-coast surf before descending to Porto da Cruz. The walk delivers some of the island's wildest sea panoramas and is largely free of crowds, but the exposure is serious and it is recommended only for sure-footed, head-for-heights walkers in good conditions. Note it is unnumbered and is NOT PR8 (the separate Ponta de São Lourenço trail), with which it is frequently confused.

Has tunnels

12.1 kmLength4 hTimehardGrade

PR6 West — Rabaçal (Calheta municipality)

Levada das 25 Fontes

The signature walk of Rabaçal and one of the most popular trails in all Madeira. From the forestry house the path drops through Laurisilva to the Lagoa das 25 Fontes, a clear pool fed by roughly 25 springs that weep from the surrounding rock wall — the literal source of the name, confirmed by both the Visit Madeira register and Calheta municipality. The terrain is near-flat levada walking with steps and some narrow, exposed ledges. Visit Madeira lists it as 4.3 km one-way (8.6 km round trip); Calheta municipality cites 9 km and GPS trackers up to 11 km when the access road and Risco spur are included.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

8.6 kmLength3 hTimemoderateGrade

PR6.1 West — Rabaçal (Calheta municipality)

Levada do Risco

The shortest and gentlest of the Rabaçal trails, leading from the forestry house along an almost level levada to a viewpoint facing the tall, thread-like Risco waterfall. It shares its opening stretch with PR6, so the two are routinely combined into one outing. Visit Madeira gives 1.5 km one-way (3 km round trip), Easy, about 2 hours; the path runs at roughly 1,000 m through laurel forest. The former lower path beneath the falls is closed after landslides.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route
Family-friendly

3 kmLength2 hTimeeasyGrade

PR6.2 West — Rabaçal (Calheta municipality)

Levada do Alecrim

A relatively level levada walk from the Rabaçal forestry house out to the spring that feeds the Levada do Alecrim — a channel built to supply Calheta's hydroelectric station. It ends at the clear Lagoa 'Dona Beja', the water source that in turn feeds the Lagoa do Vento waterfall below. Visit Madeira lists 3.5 km one-way (7 km round trip), Easy, 2.5 hours, running between 1,256 m and 1,339 m. Expect open valley views and characteristic heather tunnels through the laurel forest.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route
Family-friendly

7 kmLength2.5 hTimeeasyGrade

PR6.3 West — Rabaçal (Calheta municipality)

Vereda da Lagoa do Vento

A short footpath (not a levada) dropping from near the Rabaçal forestry house to the Lagoa do Vento, where the Ribeira do Lajeado pours down a tall escarpment into a basin. Visit Madeira lists 1.8 km one-way (3.6 km round trip), Easy grade, about 1.5 hours, through the transition between mountain heath and laurel forest. The return is a steady climb back up to the plateau. It connects to PR6.2 Levada do Alecrim at around 1,600 m.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

3.6 kmLength1.5 hTimeeasyGrade

PR17 Centre — Paul da Serra to Encumeada (Ribeira Brava / São Vicente)

Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal

The big, strenuous traverse of the central highlands, crossing from the Lombo do Mouro on the Paul da Serra plateau down to the Encumeada pass. It links the Levada da Serra and Levada do Norte, passing the Pináculo viewpoint over the Ribeira Brava valley and threading several long tunnels near the Folhadal. Visit Madeira lists 15 km, Difficult, about 6.5 hours, climbing to 1,490 m (min 970 m). GPS trackers walking it as a loop from Encumeada log around 17.2 km with ~583 m of climbing.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

15 kmLength6.5 hTimehardGrade

Centre — Encumeada (São Vicente / Ribeira Brava)

Levada do Folhadal

A short out-and-back along the Levada do Norte from the Encumeada pass into the dripping Folhadal cloud forest — effectively the scenic core of PR17 without the full traverse. The route is defined by two long, dark tunnels (about 500 m and 800–1,000 m) for which a torch is essential, opening onto ferny, misty terraces and the Folhadal waterfall. Trackers log it at roughly 5.3 km round trip, moderate, about 2.5 hours, with modest elevation change.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

5.3 kmLength2.5 hTimemoderateGrade

Centre — Paul da Serra (Bica da Cana)

Bica da Cana / Pináculo

A short, easy route across the open Paul da Serra plateau from the Bica da Cana viewpoint — one of Madeira's great panoramic points at around 1,560–1,580 m — down to a levada and on to the Pináculo rock. It is effectively a gentle 'short version' of PR17 for less experienced walkers, with sweeping views over the São Vicente valley to the island's highest peaks. The terrain is a little rocky and can be slippery; allow about 1.5 hours for the roughly 4.5 km round trip.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route
Family-friendly

4.5 kmLength1.5 hTimeeasyGrade

West — Ponta do Sol

Levada Nova & Levada do Moinho

A compact but spirited loop above Ponta do Sol that links two levadas — the lower Levada do Moinho and the higher Levada Nova — through banana terraces and a tunnel before delivering its showpiece: a waterfall that breaks straight across the path, soaking walkers who pass beneath. Distance is modest at roughly 8 km, but the route is defined by exposure rather than gradient, with narrow cliff-side passages reported as little as 50 cm wide and long unprotected drops; it is emphatically not for those with vertigo. A torch is needed for the ~200 m tunnel near the halfway point. Sources quote 8–10 km and 2.5–4 hours.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

8.1 kmLength4 hTimemoderateGrade

Southwest — Calheta / Prazeres

Levada da Calheta – Prazeres

A long, easy levada in Madeira's sun-warmed southwest, linking the coastal town of Calheta with the upland village of Prazeres. The channel — part of a network roughly 50 km long supplying the Calheta hydroelectric plant — contours through acacias, eucalyptus, pine and wildflowers, passing a lagoon and ending near a levadeiro's (channel-keeper's) house. With only tens of metres of net descent over its length, it is graded easy and is best walked from Prazeres downhill to Calheta. Sources quote around 14.4 km and roughly 4–4.75 hours.

Has tunnels
Family-friendly

14.4 kmLength4.5 hTimeeasyGrade

South — Câmara de Lobos / Ribeira Brava

Levada do Norte

One of Madeira's largest and most historically important levadas, the Levada do Norte was built 1947–1952 (inaugurated 1 June 1952) to carry water from the wet north across the watershed to the dry south. It is a classic dual-purpose scheme: water first drops through the Serra de Água hydroelectric station, then irrigates the south (about 502 litres/second outside the rainy season). Its main canal runs about 51 km. Walkers tackle it in sections: a popular easy stretch links Quinta Grande to Ribeira Brava (~8.9 km, ~3 h) on an almost flat path, while the section from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos threads the terraced vineyards that produce the island's finest Madeira wine, with views toward Cabo Girão, Europe's highest sea cliff at 580 m. Expect tunnel passages, endemic flora and occasional exposed, vertigo-inducing edges.

Has tunnels

8.9 kmLength3 hTimeeasyGrade

South — Funchal / Monte to Camacha / Santa Cruz

Levada dos Tornos

At around 106 km including its intakes and branches, the Levada dos Tornos is the longest levada in the Madeira archipelago — about 16 km of it in tunnels, its longest a 5,100 m bore linking Fajã da Nogueira to the Ribeira de Santa Luzia. Inaugurated in 1966 as part of the post-1947 modernization programme, it is a dual-purpose scheme: it collects the discharge water from the Fajã da Nogueira hydroelectric plant and conveys it to the south, where at Fundoa the flow splits between public water supply (historically Funchal) and irrigation across Santa Cruz and beyond. The favourite outing runs from Monte to Camacha, climbing gently before levelling out and passing the long-running Jasmin Tea House — a welcome stop for tea and cake. A ~200 m tunnel between Camacha and the tea house needs a torch.

Has tunnels
Waterfall on the route

14.4 kmLength5 hTimemoderateGrade