Madeira is known by its levada walks which are walks on a footpaths along a water channel. These footpaths were originally built for the maintenance of the levada but today they are mostly touristic and every tourist visiting Madeira has to walk on one to get his Madeira experience complete.

There has been some fatal accidents during levada walks and most of them could have been prevented, so we here present some safety guidelines for people walking on levadas:

• Walk only on the levadas recommended by the Madeira Tourism Board - the ones which at the beginning of it are marked with PR, have a board with information about its difficulty, distance, altitude, a map of the route and have signage along the path
• Check the weather forecasts and if there is strong wind or heavy rain do not go. If the weather conditions change suddenly during your walk ponder if it is safer to continue or to turn back through the same way
• Do not go alone on this walk, take at least 1 more person with you
• Ask local people if the levada or footpath is safe before you start your walk
• Always tell someone where you are going and at what time you intend to be back
• Take your mobile phone with you and remember the Emergency number is 112
• Take appropriate shoes and clothes and never forget a warm jumper
• Do not go out of the trail, even if it 'seems' safe for you to go outside it
• If there is a built obstacle closing the path it means it is not safe so turn back through the same way and never surpass the obstacle
• Do not run any risk

Camacha - Choupana - Curral dos Romeiros - Monte ( 6+2+2 Km)

Starting point: Vale Paraíso, Camacha

Finishing point: Choupana / Curral dos Romeiros / Monte
This walk can be done by everyone, you just need to tailor the walk according to your wishes and physical conditions. You may just walk the first/easiest part of it (A) or also the following sections (B and C) if suited for you.

Advices on equipment: raincoat, warm sweater, walking boots/comfortable shoes, water, some money for a tea on the way and a bag to keep litter with you.

• Section A: Vale Paraíso, Camacha – Choupana

Distance: Approx. 6 km
Difficulty grade: 2 – Easy walk
Walking time: Approx. 2 Hours (slow walking)
Name of the levada: Levada da Serra do Faial
Description: The begining of the levada is signaled by a wooden sign written Choupana - Monte. Trek on a wide walking path for about one hour through some exotic forest and some inhabited areas with views over Funchal amphitheatre and its bay. When you get to a break on the leavad path due to an old cobblestone road, take left and go down that old road for about 5 minutes until you get to a tarmac road. Cross that tarmac road and continue downhill towards Choupana Hills Resort & Spa and soon you will be at Largo da Choupana.
Bus to Camacha: Nº129 departs from Funchal everyday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 & 14:30, among other scheduled buses. For the levada walk get out at Estrada para Carreiras
Friendly tip: Stop at Choupana Hills Resort & Spa for a complete tea (12,5€), for a snack or even for dinner while enjoying its peaceful atmosphere and nice landscape.
Bus from Choupana: if you were at Choupana Hills for a meal they might offer their scheduled courtesy bus back to Funchal. If not there is a public bus that departs from Choupana every week day at 12:35, 13:35 & 18:55.






• Section B: Choupana – Curral dos Romeiros

Distance: Approx. 2 km
Difficulty grade: 3 – Moderate walk.
Walking time: Approx. 30 Minutes (slow walking)
Name of the levada: Levada dos Tornos
Description: After you reached Largo da Choupana just go down the same road for a few meters more and you will find Levada dos Tornos on your right. Follow that levada westwards and on an easy walk with only a few short vertiginous sections, you will get to Curral dos Romeiros. If you wish to finish your walk here, take the steep flight of concrete steps on your left, just before getting to the village.
Bus from Curral dos Romeiros: Nº 29 runs everyday at 12:40, 16:00 & 19:05, among other scheduled buses

• Section C: Curral dos Romeiros - Monte

Distance: Approx. 2 km
Difficulty grade 3 – Moderate walk.
Walking time: Approx. 40 Minutes (slow walking)
Description: Following the Levada dos Tornos, you will soon have to divert from it, just after a sharp bend in the levada that passes by a waterfall you should take the steep steps down to the village. The way to Monte is then on a path, not along a levada, which goes down in the valley and then up again to get to Monte. This part of the walk is not advisable for those who suffer from vertigo.
Buses from Monte: Nº 20, 21 & 48 running everyday, regularly.

Note: The bus schedules, tea price and the description of the levada were updated on the 6th of October 2011. After this date this data may change, so it is always better to confirm it before you do the levada walk.

Ribeiro Frio - Portela (11 Km)

Starting point: Parking area at Ribeiro Frio, Santana

Finishing point: Portela

Advices on equipment: raincoat, warm sweater, walking boots/comfortable shoes, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

This trail begins at Ribeiro Frio in Santana and follows the path aside the levada of Serra do Faial at 860 metres of altitude until Lamaceiros, the place where the waters are divided. From there it descends to Portela belvedere in Machico.

Levada do Furado is one of the oldest levadas belonging to the regional government, acquired in 1822 for the purpose of irrigating the farmlands of Porto da Cruz. Due to its connection with Levadas do Juncal and Levada da Serra do Faial, it is said this levada carries three waters: the water gathered in the valley of Ribeiro Frio which irrigates the terrains of Porto da Cruz; and those coming from the mountains of Santana and stored in Santo da Serra reservoir for later distribution.

Along this levada you the chance to admire different tones of green presented by this well-preserved area of the island’s native forest - the Laurel Forest.

The landscape is dominated by Ribeiro Frio valley with the amazing farm terraces of Faial, São Roque do Faial and Porto da Cruz. The spectacular rock formation of Penha de Águia protects Faial bay on its East side and Ponta dos Clérigos on the West.

It is at Lamaceiros where waters are separated and where Levada do Furado ends. Here take the left path to start descending to Portela. Passing Lamaceiros Forestry Station, the trail follows a land path until it meets Portela Levada which goes around the left side of Lombo das Faias and ending where it meets the Regional road ER102.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board

This tour can be made all year around though it is not advisable to do it on raining and/or windy days, as it can get moody and slippery.

Achada do Teixeira - Pico Ruivo - Achada do Teixeira (6 Km)

Starting & Finishing point: Parking area at Achada do Teixeira, Santana

Advices on equipment: raincoat, warm sweater, walking boots/comfortable shoes, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

Just on the centre of Santana you will find the road that lead you to Achada do Teixeira, a small plateau with 1590 meters of altitude, where road ends.

From the parking place to Pico Ruivo is about 3 km. The path ground is cemented and there is also information signs that will help you to get to the highest peak of Madeira. Along this walk you will find several shelters where you can rest or take refuge from rain or fog.

If weather is clear, even before you get to the top of the peak, after the mountain shelter that exist there, you will be able to admire beautiful sceneries of valleys, water streams and mountains.

The way up to the house on Pico Ruivo, with a bar open to visitants, takes about 1 hour and here trekkers may refresh themselves before going up to the top of the peak which will take you 10 to 15 more minutes. Before you reach the 1862 meters of altitude you have to cross a small wooden area with centenary heathers that survived through time.
Arriving to the top the show is amazing! 360º of pure nature and amazing landscape where one may admire from the green mountains of Santana to the silhouette of Porto Santo Island, passing through the large plateau of Paul da Serra and the arid tip of Ponta de São Lourenço. It is simply and unforgettable landscape, if weather conditions allow it!

The way back to Achada do Teixeira is through the same path though as going down is easier than going up, you will take around 40 minutes only.

This tour can be made all year around though it is not advisable to do it on raining and/or windy days, as it can get dangerous.

Rabaçal - Risco - 25 Fountains - Rabaçal (8 Km)

Starting point: View point of Rabaçal, on Paul da Serra road

Finishing point: Forestry guard's house of Rabaçal

Advices on equipment: raincoat, sweater, boots/ comfortable shoes for the walk, water, some food and a bag to keep litter with you.

On the west part of Paul da Serra, near a fire vigilance tower, there is a post sign which indicates the access to Rabaçal forestry guard’s house. This narrow road is closed to cars as there is no parking places available for so many visitants down there. The way down is approximately 2 km and it can be done on foot or on a paid ride by van that is always going up and down.

When already near the forestry guard's house, before walking on the levada to 25 fountains (25 fontes), go straight ahead to Risco which will take you about 10 to 15 minutes to get to a fantastic waterfall surrounded by majestic green mountains. After being inspired by this scenery you can go back through the same easy way, parallel to the old Rabaçal levada, until you see the post that signs “25 fontes”. Go down the indicated way until you find another levada and then take the opposite direction of the running water.

The path is always on the side of the levada and it is flat terrain, though in some parts it can be narrow with no protection from the cliffs. This way this walk is not advisable for persons who are afraid of heights.

Approximately one hour after walking along the levada you will found a small lagoon on your right, surrounded by vegetation where water falls from different springs. These are the 25 fountains. Here all nature beings live together, from lichens to laurel trees and birds, they all share this wonderful ecosystem peacefully.

Again, the way back to the guard's house is through the same path but do not think it will make your walk boring as the view is always different.

This tour can be made all year around though we advise you to avoid raining and foggy days at Paul da Serra.