Levadas & Hiking in Madeira, Portugal

Top 10 Levadas & Nature Trails

 

With its many gorgeous mountains and waterfalls, it’s no surprise that Madeira has long been referred to as a “hiker’s paradise”. Many of these trails follow the old irrigation canals called “levadas” that were used bring water from the north side of the island to the south. Although still used today, many of these canals are also widely used for walking. No matter your preference or experience level, there are many different types of trails all over Madeira. Beginners or those looking for a more leisurely nature walk should stick to the south side of the island, while those looking for a more exhilarating trekking experience should head north to the mountainous side of the island.

 

Top 10 

 

MADEIRA ISLAND

 

1. Vereda do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo

pico-do-areeiro-to-pico-ruivo-hiking-trail-in-madeia-island-portugal-european-destinations
Pico Ruivo

Distance: VN 7,4km and VS 8,7km

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 3:30h

Start/End: Pico do Areeiro/ Pico Ruivo

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude:1862 m / 1542 m

 

 

2. Vereda dos Balcões

vereda-dos-balcoes-hiking-trail-in-madeira-island-portugal-european-destinations
Balcões viewpoint

Distance: 1,5 Km (+ 1,5 Km return)

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Duration: 1:30h

Start/End: E.R. 103 (Ribeiro Frio) / E.R. 103 (Ribeiro Frio)

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 630 m / 630 m

 

 

3. Levada do Alecrim

levada-do-alecrim-hiking-trail-in-madeira-island.-portugal-european-destinations
Levada do Alecrim

Distance: 1,8m (+ 1,8km return)

Degree of dificulty: Easy

Duration: 1,5 hours

Start/End: Rabaçal Shelter / Lagoa do Vento

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 1600 m / 200 m

 

 

4. Levada do Caldeirão Verde

caldeirao-verde-hiking-trail-in-madeira-island-portugal-european-destinations
Caldeirão Verde

Distance: 6,5 Km (+ 6,5 Km return)

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 5:30 hours

Start/End: Queimadas Forestry Park / Queimadas Forestry Park

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 980 m / 890 m

 

 

5. Vereda do Fanal

vereda-do-faial-hiking-trail-in-madeira-island-portugal-european-destinations
Fanal

Distance: 10.8 Km/ 5,6 Km

Degree of dificulty: Moderate

Duration: 4 hours

Start/End: E.R. 209 Assobiadores / E.R. 209 Fanal

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 1420 m / 1130 m

 

 

 

6. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço 

ponta-de-sao-lourenco-hiking-trail-madeira-islands-portugal-european-destinations
Ponta de São Lourenço

Distance: 4 Km (+ 4 Km return)

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Start/End: E.R. 109 (Baía d’Abra - Caniçal) / E.R. 109 (Baía d’Abra - Caniçal)

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 110 m / 5 m

 

 

7. Levada das 25 Fontes

waterfall-levada-das-25-fontes-madeira-island-portugal (1)
''Lagoa das 25 Fontes''

Distance: 4,6 Km (+ 4,6 Km return)

Degree of difficulty: Moderate

Duration: 3h

Start/End: Casa de Abrigo do Rabaçal / E.R.110 (Rabaçal, Paul da Serra)

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 1290 m / 900 m

 

 

8. Vereda das Queimadas

vereda-das-queimadas-hiking-trail-in-madeira-island-portugal-europe-destinations
Vereda das Queimadas

Distance: 2,1Km

Degree of dificulty: Easy

Duration: 45 minutes

Start/End: Queimadas / Pico das Pedras

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 890 m / 870 m

 

 

PORTO SANTO ISLAND

 

9. Vereda do Pico Branco e Terra Chã

pico-branco-hiking-trail-porto-santo-island-madeira-archipelago-portugal-european-destinations
Pico Branco & Terra Chã

Distance: 2,7 km

Degree of dificulty: Easy

Duration: 1:30h

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 450 m / 184 m

 

 

10.  Vereda do Pico do Castelo 

Pico-do-castelo-hiking-trail-porto-santo-island-madeira-archipelago-portugal-european-destinations
Pico do Castelo

Distance: 3,2 Km /4,6 km

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Duration: 1,30hr/2,15hr

Max. Altitude/Min. Altitude: 435 m / 225 m

 

 

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