From Funchal: São Jorge Valleys Levada Walk

The best moment comes when the levada route takes you through or behind a waterfall. You keep walking, water drifts across the path, and the green São Jorge valleys open into a quiet corner that feels far removed from Funchal.

I like two things here: the mostly easy, gently rising path makes Madeira’s famous levada system approachable, and the guide adds meaning by explaining native herbs, medicinal plants, and old remedies. The route is also practical, with pickup from selected hotels and a small group reported at nine people.

The main consideration is that this is still a long day outside. The walk covers about 10.5 kilometers, some edges may trouble anyone with a strong fear of heights, and lunch is not included. Bring a rain jacket for the waterfalls, even on a pleasant day.

Key details that shape the day

• Two waterfall crossings: You pass under or through falling water twice, so dry clothing alone is not the whole story.
• Levada do Rei, route PR18: The path is mostly flat or gently uphill on the way out, then gently downhill on the return.
• A 30-minute pause at Ribeiro Bonito: This gives you time to stop at the end of the route before walking back.
• Small-group potential: One outing had nine people, though group size can vary.
• Nature with useful context: Your guide explains herbs, medicinal plants, healing properties, and traditional remedies.
• Pickup from three areas: Hotel pickup is offered where possible in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço.

From Funchal to the São Jorge valleys

This is an eight-hour excursion, but the walking itself is only part of the day. Lido Tours collects you from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço whenever access and parking allow. Some hotels cannot take a vehicle easily, so you may receive a nearby meeting point instead.

If you stay in the Lido area, plan to meet at the company office at Monumental Lido rather than expecting a hotel-door pickup. Check your email, SMS, or WhatsApp the day before, since the exact pickup message matters more than a general schedule.

The transfer takes you out toward São Jorge and the start of the Levada do Rei. That change of setting is part of the appeal. Funchal is a city of steep streets, hotels, and ocean views. São Jorge gives you a quieter day among wooded valleys and water channels built into the mountains.

Pickup is included, as are taxes and fuel surcharges. At $50 per person, I see this as a fair price for a full day that combines transport, guiding, and a substantial walk. It is particularly useful if you do not have a rental car or do not want to work out the mountain roads yourself.

Following Levada do Rei, Madeira’s practical waterway

A levada is an irrigation channel, but the walking path beside it is the real draw here. On Levada do Rei, the route is described as PR18, with the outward walk rising gently and the return following the same path downhill.

That out-and-back shape has a clear advantage: you see the route twice, but from different angles. On the way out, your guide can explain the plants and construction. On the return, you can focus on photographs and set your own rhythm, provided you follow the group’s instructions for the meeting point.

The route is often suitable for people who want a scenic hike without a steep mountain climb. One account describes it as an easy walk, with a total distance of about 10.5 kilometers. Do not confuse easy with effortless. Eight hours away from your hotel, including transfers and stops, calls for decent stamina.

The path can feel narrow beside drops in a few places. If heights make you uneasy, you may find certain sections harder than the gentle gradient suggests. The route is not presented as a technical hike, but comfortable walking shoes and proper hiking shoes are still important.

Rainforest, herbs, and old remedies

The forest is more than a green backdrop. Along the levada, your guide introduces native herbs and medicinal plants, explaining their healing properties and the traditional remedies linked to them.

This turns a walk into a lesson in how people used the plants around them. I like this part because it gives you something to notice beyond the usual checklist of waterfalls and viewpoints. Look closely at the vegetation rather than racing to the next photo stop.

Guides are available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese. Sarah guided one outing in German and explained the route along the outward walk. If language matters to you, confirm the available language when booking, since the specific guide on your date may differ.

The guide’s role is also useful for pacing and route awareness. One German-speaking group had a chance to walk back at its own speed, with Sarah following at the end. That arrangement allowed more time for photos and reduced the feeling of being stuck in a line.

The waterfall section is the day’s signature moment

The waterfall crossing is what makes this route memorable. You do not simply view water from a distant platform. You walk under or behind falling water, with the path continuing through the spray.

The exact feel will depend on the water flow and conditions, but you should plan to get damp. A rain jacket is a smart item, not just a precaution. Waterproof footwear or shoes with a firm grip will also make the crossing less awkward.

The waterfall can create a small bottleneck if the group stops for photographs. That is normal on a narrow route, but it means you may need to wait rather than wander freely. Keep your camera protected and use the pause to take in the sound and cool air.

For many people, this is the point when the route shifts from a pleasant forest walk to something more distinctive. The combination of the levada, rainforest, and falling water gives the São Jorge valleys their strongest sense of place.

Ribeiro Bonito and the halfway pause

The route reaches Ribeiro Bonito, where one group had about 30 minutes to stop before returning. This is a useful break after the gentle climb and gives you time to rest, eat a snack, and enjoy the quieter end of the route.

Do not count on lunch being provided. Lunch is not included, so bring food or plan around the available facilities and timing. The supplied details do not promise a restaurant stop, so a packed meal and enough water are the safer choices.

The return route uses the same general path. That may sound less exciting than a point-to-point hike, but it makes the day easier to manage. You know what lies ahead, and a guide can keep the group together without arranging a second pickup.

The downhill direction should feel kinder on your legs, though wet sections and narrow edges still deserve care. If you prefer to stop for photographs, ask how the group will regroup. A prior outing allowed people to return at their own pace while the guide stayed at the back, which is a helpful setup.

How difficult is the 10.5-kilometer walk?

The route is commonly described as easy and mostly flat, with a mild uphill grade on the way to Ribeiro Bonito. It is not a strenuous mountain ascent, but the distance matters.

I would rate it as a good match for anyone comfortable with a full day of walking on an uneven outdoor path. You do not need to be a serious hiker, but you should not choose it if you want a short stroll with frequent vehicle access.

The most likely challenge is not steepness. It is the combination of distance, narrow sections, wet ground, and possible discomfort around drop-offs. Anyone with a fear of heights should take the warning seriously, even though one person with a nervous companion still found the route manageable.

Wear proper hiking shoes or sturdy sports shoes. Bring water, a light rain jacket, and food for the break at Ribeiro Bonito. The list of suggested footwear includes comfortable shoes, hiking shoes, and sports shoes, but ordinary flimsy trainers are a poor choice for wet ground.

Group size, guiding, and photo time

The quality of this outing depends partly on how the group moves. A group of nine can feel friendly and manageable, while a larger group may require more patience on narrow sections.

One outing with a larger group felt restrictive on the way out because stopping for photos meant holding everyone up. The return was better because people could go at their own speed, with the guide at the rear. That detail matters if photography is a major reason for booking.

You should also expect a guided walk rather than a private nature lesson. The guide explains the route and plant life, but the pace has to work for several people. If you want complete freedom to stop every few minutes, a self-guided visit may suit you better.

For most people, the guide adds real value. You get transport from the coast, help with route direction, and explanations that would be easy to miss on your own. The construction of the levadas is also worth noticing. These channels are practical works of mountain engineering, and walking beside one helps you understand how water was carried across Madeira.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend this walk to you if you want:

• A full-day Madeira nature outing without planning transport
• A mostly gentle route rather than a steep summit hike
• Waterfalls and rainforest instead of only city sightseeing
• A guide who can explain plants and traditional uses
• A walk available in several European languages
• A chance to move through the forest at a measured pace

It is less suitable if you want a short walk, a guaranteed private group, or a meal included in the price. It may also be a poor fit if narrow paths beside drops cause serious anxiety.

The tour is a particularly good choice early in a Madeira stay. It gives you a taste of the island’s famous levadas and helps you decide if you want to tackle longer or more demanding routes later.

Practical booking advice for the $50 price

At $50, the strongest value comes from the combination of hotel-area transport and a guided route lasting about eight hours. You are paying for a complete day, not just access to a trailhead.

The price does not cover lunch, so add the cost of a meal or packed food when you plan your budget. You also need suitable shoes and water, though those are sensible purchases for any Madeira walk.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting. Check the starting time for your chosen date, since availability can vary.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 66 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the beauty of the route, the helpful guiding, the easy gradient, and reliable pickup. The sensible reading is that this is a well-liked guided day walk, not a private expedition with unlimited flexibility.

Should you book the São Jorge Valleys walk?

Book it if you want an accessible introduction to Madeira’s levadas, especially if waterfalls, rainforest, and plant knowledge appeal to you more than a hard climb. The walk gives you a clear route, transport from the main hotel areas, and enough time to enjoy São Jorge without arranging the day yourself.

Skip it if you dislike out-and-back walks, need a very short route, or want lunch and private pacing included. For everyone else, pack a rain jacket, water, food, and good shoes, then confirm your pickup message the day before. At $50, it is a sensible way to spend a full day in the quieter mountain valleys north of Funchal.

FAQ

How long does the São Jorge Valleys walk take?

The activity lasts eight hours, including the tour schedule and transport arrangements.

What route does the tour follow?

The walk follows Levada do Rei, also known as route PR18, through the São Jorge valleys.

How far is the walk?

The total distance is about 10.5 kilometers, with a gentle uphill section on the way out and a gentle downhill return.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bring food or plan to arrange your own meal.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese.

Where can pickup be arranged?

Pickup is available where possible from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço. Hotels with difficult access may use a nearby meeting point. Guests staying in the Lido area are asked to meet at the office at Monumental Lido.