The 5 Best Levada Walks in Madeira

1.Enjoy a Guided Levada Walk in the Rabaçal Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,197 reviews · 8 hours · from $50Our pick

Spend eight hours exploring Madeira’s Rabaçal Valley with a guide such as Sara or Ruby. Follow the Levada do Risco and Levada das 25 Fontes, see cascades dropping into a cliff-ringed lagoon, and pass through an 800-meter water tunnel. Hotel pickup, transport, and a guide are included. Bring sturdy shoes, food, water, and a torch.

“Great walk with Sarah as a guide. Enjoyed the day with the group”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Madeira Walks – Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,204 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Spend eight hours exploring Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains with a certified mountain guide. You’ll walk beside levadas, pass waterfalls and springs, enter an 800-meter tunnel, and stop for photos and a picnic. Guides such as Nuno, Anna, Marta, and Rodrigo are known for careful pacing, plant knowledge, and a good sense of humor.

“Our Guide Hugo was Extraordinary. Deep knowledge of fauna and flora . Communication with Group and All hikers was excellent.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Rabaçal: 25 Fontes & Risco Levada Transfer Self-guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 841 reviews · from $38Best value

This self-guided Madeira day trip takes you from Funchal and nearby towns to Rabaçal by shared van. Your English-speaking driver, such as Pedro, Adriana, or Nuno, explains the route, then gives you five hours to walk the 25 Fontes and Risco levadas. Choose the 6:30 AM departure to reach the trail before the crowds.

“it was a great trip. we had enough time to go down both routes. do bot skip the risco route we found it even nore enjoyable then the 25 waterfals because it's an easy dtreight walk 10min one way, less crowded and the waterfall is huge and you feel the water falling down. it may be a bit wet but in summer its refreshing and emotional. as for the pr6 - be aware that theres hardly any places to rest on the route because its quite narrow. at the end theres lots of ppl sitting on rocks to eat and rest. also read the signs! at the last part the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Madeira East Island Tour and Levada Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 787 reviews · from $63

Spend eight hours touring Madeira’s east in a small, air-conditioned minibus with a multilingual guide. See Pico do Arieiro, walk the Balcões levada through Ribeiro Frio, visit Santana, stop at Faial and Porto da Cruz, enjoy rum tasting, and take a three-course lunch on the shared tour. Guides such as Lucy, Carlos, and Tony are known for adding local stories and extra viewpoints.

“We booked this trip for the Wednesday but unfortunately the minibus broke down. Staff quickly organised for us to go the next day instead. It all worked out though as we had a brilliant trip, there were only 6 of us on the tour which was great. It really felt like we had a more private tour. Carlos, our guide, was excellent, you couldn't ask for anyone better. Very funny, friendly and helpful, his knowledge of the Island was brilliant. He also added in a few extra little stops for the great views.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.PR 9 – Levada do Caldeirão Verde Hike Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 620 reviews · 7 hours · from $47

Travel in a small group from Funchal, Caniço, or Garajau to Pico das Pedras for a self-guided PR9 hike through Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest. Your driver, often Vitor, Fabio, Cristiano, or Roberto, explains the route, safety, tunnels, and pickup plan before leaving you to walk at your own pace.

“This was a very interesting walk following the incredible levadas. Very narrow in places with limited passing areas however most people we met were very courteous. Be careful in the tunnels as limited headspace. Easy walk as flat all the way, can be very muddy in places. Great communication from our driver Vitor. Pick up times were spot on and we had a bonus stop on way back to see the traditional madeiran houses in Santana. Highly recommend this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review