Madeira is know for walking and although there are many beautiful places to walk, Madeira is known for it’s ‘Levada Walks’. ‘Levada’ is a word in the Portuguese language which was derived from the word ‘levar’. The word levar means to carry, therefore as a derivative of levar, levada roughly translated means mini-canal. The levada’s were originally developed to distribute the rainfall from the north and higher regions of Madeira to the drier and lower regions of the south. They were developed to carry water to banana plantations, vineyards, fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and others. The earliest levada’s date back to the 16th century. There is approximately 2,500kms of levada’s which cross the island, north to south, high to low. Beside each levada there is a maintenance path, and although the levada’s were originally developed for agricultural and industrial use, the maintenance paths have become known as the ‘Levada Walks’ and are equally important to the local population as they are to the visitors to the island.
There are a number of organisations that run a schedule of Levada Walks, but for those of you who enjoy walking; when you do go on a Levada Walk please ensure that you are well prepared (for example good footwear as the walks can be slippery, a warm jacket, waterproofs, plenty of water, picnic and/or snacks, backpack, torch maybe, and a walking stick) and if you select to go on your own it is advisable to let some know where you are walking and when you expect to return. Please be aware that some of the walks maybe closed due to landslides, adverse weather conditions, or a number of other reasons.
An example of some of the more well known Levada Walks include:
Paradise Valley
Distance: 5kms
Diffculty: 1 (easy)
Walking time: approximately 2 hours
This is a relaxing walk between mountains, along levada’s, and through valleys. You will see cultivated terraces, spectacular gardens, delightful flowers growing in the wild, eucalyptus and pine trees.
Rabaçal and the 25 Fontes (Fountains)
Distance: 11kms
Difficulty: 2 (moderate)
Walking time: approximately 4 hours
This is one of the most popular levada walks, which starts from Paúl da Serra and stretches along a number of levadas, passing a large number of waterfalls, including the Risco waterfall and the Levada of 25 Fontes. This walk also includes visiting a small lake with 25 natural springs cascading into it.
Prazeres to Paúl do Mar
Difficulty: 2 (moderate)
Walking time: approximately 1 hour
This is a spectacular walk which starts at the Hotel Jardim Atlântico, with signs that mark your dramatic decent along paths, a waterfall which marks your way, and includes crossing an old bridge as you come to the final leg of this most spectacular walk. As you look down you’ll see the local fishing boats, fabulous views and some incredible scenery.
The Madeiran Lakes
Distance: 10kms
Difficulty: 3 (moderate)
Walking time: approximately 4.5 hours
The oldest levadas on Madeira can be found above the Rabaçal valley on the western plateau. In summer time you can experience swimming in the numerous natural rock pools (called lakes by the local population) that form the magnificent cascades and waterfalls. This walk will take you through forests, along unmarked tracks, to walking along the oldest levada on the west of the island.
Pico do Areeiro
Distance: 13kms
Diffculty: 4 (difficult)
Walking time: approximately 5 hours
On this walk you would need to be aware should you suffer from vertigo. Although this maybe true of many of the walks on the island, walking around the Pico do Areeiro area you are walking around the tops of the mountains. Having said that, this walk is one of the most spectacular on the island; and you will be walk along a trail that links the two highest peaks of Madeira Island – Pico do Areeiro (1,817m) and Pico Ruivo (1,861m). Walking along this trail you will be seeing incredible scenery, for example the oldest heather forest in existance, and some of the most endangered seabirds in Europe.
