TOP 10 Most Popular and Beautiful Walking Tours in the Veredas and Levadas in Madeira
28.02.2023
Why, so many tourists choose to rest in Madeira?
The answer is very simple - it's a great climate, fantastic food, and a very friendly and friendly local population.
Of course, if you have small children and you are planning a vacation with the whole family, most likely Madeira is not very suitable for you.
But if you are an avid traveler, love outdoor activities and it is important for you to discover new places and get completely new impressions, then you should definitely visit Madeira. After all, the versatility of this island is so impressive that it is impossible to remain indifferent.
This island is created as if specifically for active tourists who like to combine beach holidays with adventures, who love hiking and hiking.
Especially for you active travelers, we have prepared a list of the 10 most popular and beautiful walking tours in Levada Vereda (hiking trails).
- 1 Levada Rabasal - Risco - 25 springs (Rabaçal - Risco - 25 Fontes)
- 2 Levada Caldeirao Verde
- 3 Vereda Ponta do San Lourenço
- 4 Levada Lagoa to Vento
- 5 Vereda Pico do Arreiro - Pico Ruivo
- 6 Levada Ribera Frio - Portela
- 7 Vereda do Larono - Boca do Risco
- 8 Levada dos Maroços
- 9 Levada del Rey (Royal Levada)
- 10 Vereda Pico Ruivo by Achada Teixeira
1. Walk on Rabaçal 25 Fontes Levada
Beginning at regional road ER 105, in Rabaçal, the Levada das 25 Fontes is one of the most popular hiking trails among tourists and locals.
About 4.3 km long and with an estimated duration of 3 hours, this is the right trail for anyone who wants to be surprised by the exuberance of Nature.
Although it is practically parallel to Levada do Risco (PR 6.1), sharing the same starting point, this trail of moderate difficulty will take you to different places of interest and sceneries.
Characterised by superb natural surroundings, Levada das 25 Fontes gives you the chance to discover (and certainly contemplate calmly) Lagoa das 25 Fontes, created by the waters that come down from Paul da Serra and which emerge here thanks to 25 water springs.
An image with unique outlines.
However, before reaching this place you may be surprised by some of the landscapes that you will find along Levada das 25 Fontes.
The views over the Ribeira da Janela valley, for example, are impressive for the characteristic green vitality of the Laurissilva forest.
When you reach the final destination - Levada das 25 Fontes -, take in the beauty of the lagoon and regain your strength for the return trip, along the same path.
2. Levada do Caldeirao Verde
PR 9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a moderate difficulty trail with a distance of 8.7 km (+ 8.7 km return), and offers hikers the chance to explore the orography of the island's interior, known for its monumental landscapes.
The beginning of Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which takes about 6:30 hours, is immediately striking.
This is because the shelter Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas, in the Queimadas Forest Park, maintains the original features of the typical Casas de Santana, triangular in shape and with the traditional thatched roof.
Shortly after starting, you will find the terrace of Levada do Caldeirão Verde, where Nature reveals its exoticism.
We are in the midst of the Laurissilva forest, where abundant water is routed through this historic 'levada', built in the 18th century, to the farmlands of the parish of Faial.
Along Levada do Caldeirão Verde, punctuated by escarpments and mountains, you will pass through four tunnels carved in the rock.
Only then will you find, on your left, the Caldeirão Verde lake, formed by the water that falls vertically from the bed of the brook Ribeiro do Caldeirão Verde, at an altitude of about 100 m.
Once you have regained your energy, you can continue to Caldeirão do Inferno, at 2200 m, or return via Levada do Caldeirão Verde.
Prices for a tour of the pedestrian route along Levada "Caldeirao Verde" here
3. Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
This 3 km trail (+ 3 km return) will take you to discover the eastern tip of the island, with panoramic views over the north and south sides.
PR 8 - Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço is a trail of moderate difficulty, with an estimated duration of 2:30 hours, which goes along the peninsula with the same name.
Although it is an undulating path, the good conditions of Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço offer a pleasant hiking experience.
It is a peninsula of volcanic origin, mostly made of basalt, but with some limestone sediment formations.
At the end of it, there are two islets: Desembarcadouro Islet and Farol Islet.
The semi-arid climate and exposure to northern winds explain the low vegetation and the absence of trees in this place, contrasting with the rest of the island.
It is classified as a Partial Nature Reserve heritage site, home to rare plants and a diversified fauna.
Besides one of the largest colonies of seagulls in the region, and protected seabirds such as shearwaters and Bulwer's petrels, at Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço you may, with some luck, observe marine species in their habitat, namely the monk-seal.
At the end of the walk along Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, enjoy a well-deserved swim at Cais do Sardinha.
Prices for a tour of the Ponta do San Lourenço hiking route are here
4. Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
Starting about 200 metres from the shelter Casa de Abrigo do Rabaçal, Vereda Lagoa do Vento begins next to the path that leads to regional road ER 105.
It is a 1.8 km long trail, which is expected to take about 1:30 hours, and will lead you to a place of unusual beauty.
Located in a transition area between high-altitude heath and the Laurissilva forest, the rich flora of Vereda da Lagoa do Vento, an easy trail, stands out.
Thus, you will find species such as the Madeira blueberry (Vaccinium padifolium) or the laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), for example.
After walking about 1600 metres along Vereda Lagoa do Vento, you will reach the junction of two trails.
To the right, the one that connects to Levada do Alecrim, to the left, the one that will lead you to the majestic Lagoa do Vento.
This basin is formed by the waters coming from Ribeira do Lajeado, which fall here from the top of the escarpment. Take the opportunity to recover energy to the sound of the waterfall.
Then, you can return along the reverse path of Vereda da Lagoa do Vento, or access regional road ER 105 through Levada do Alecrim (PR 6.2).
Prices for a tour of the pedestrian route along Levada "Lagoa do Vento or a walk through the lakes" here
5. Vereda do Areeiro
PR1 Vereda do Areeiro is a trail connecting three iconic spots in Madeira, the highest peaks of the island.
It begins at Pico do Areeiro (1818 m), crosses Pico das Torres (1851 m) and ends at Pico Ruivo (1862 m).
Vereda do Areeiro is a 7 km trail of moderate difficulty and takes 3:30 hours, covering part of the Central Mountain Massif (an area integrated in the Natura 2000 Network).
Along the trail, which begins at the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, you will pass through tunnels dug out of the volcanic tufts - which used to shelter cattle and shepherds - and steep slopes.
To reach Pico Ruivo, you will have to go around Pico das Torres via a steep staircase carved in the rock.
However, the greatest challenge of Vereda do Areeiro is saved for last: the climb up to the shelter Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo.
Finally, you will reach a rock formation, popularly known as 'Homem em pé' (Standing Man), where you will find the trail leading to Achada do Teixeira, which allows you to continue your hike.
On this trail, where there is predominantly high-altitude heath, you may come across some bird species and subspecies found only in Macaronesia or the archipelago.
Enjoy Vereda do Areeiro!
Prices for a tour along the hiking mountain route " from Pico do Areiro to Pico Ruivo" are here
6. Levada Ribeira Frio Portela
This is probably the most famous levada on the island of Madeira. During this walk you will have the opportunity to appreciate the contrast between light and shadow. Light will break through the laurel and heather accompanying you throughout the journey. Next to the Hotel Lamaceiros you will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the village of Porto da Cruz and Peña d'Agia. A great walk not to be missed!
Features: Admire the natural beauty of our Laurisilva forest with many endemic species of plants and birds; Walk through Levada and the Laurel Forest
Prices for a tour of the Levada hiking route "Ribeira Frio Portela" here
7. Vereda do Larano
This walk connects Machaica with Porto da Cruz through an old footpath along which locals once moved from one place to another for exchange.
The walk begins at Levada dos Maroços, so the first part of the route is an easy walk along Levada with mimosa trees and agricultural land.
After enjoying a fantastic view of the city of Machico, we will climb the path to get to the observation deck of Boca do Risco, where we will have a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Ponta de San Lorenço, Peña d'Agia and, weather permitting, the island of Porto Santo. Awesome, isn't it?
After a short stop to refresh ourselves, we will continue our walk to Porto da Cruz along the coastal path with breathtaking views, where you can see some endemic samples of Madeira.
The route is quite narrow and dizzying, in the rainy months it is slippery, so it is recommended for lovers of hiking.
On the way to Porto da Cruz you can see one of the most iconic rock formations of Madeira, Peña d'Agia. Prepare your camera, you'll probably want to capture these beautiful moments in the photo.
After the walk, we will stop in the center of Porto da Cruz, here you can visit the famous sugar cane mill, where sugar cane juice is mined for confectionery from brandy "aguardente" or honey cane, which will lead to our typical honey cake.
Prices for a tour of the pedestrian route "Vereda do Larano" here
8. Levada dos Maroços
At the bottom of the Mashaku Valley, also known as the Mimosa Valley, we will walk along the Levada Marosush. We will enjoy a beautiful 6-kilometer route among unusual and typical agricultural lands of Madeira with famous terraces. This is a special walk with a magnificent view of the bay of the city of Machiso, where Portuguese sailors first landed on the island of Madeira.
Levada dos Maroços begins in Fonta Vermelha. You will discover the valley of the city of Mashicu, the first city opened in 1419 by Tristan Vash Teixeir and João Gonçalves Zarco. Discover fantastic views of the city of Mashiku. Discover the famous agricultural lands of Madeira. You may be lucky enough to try fresh fruits that farmers sell along Levada.
9. Levada del Rei
Levada do Rei begins at the water treatment plant in Água das Quebradas in San Jorge. This route goes around the Sant-George Valley, where we can see herbs and medicinal plants and at the same time learn a little about them.
First, we will walk through an exotic forest consisting of some presented samples of flora, where we can see the fantastic agricultural landscapes of St. George and Santana.
In a few minutes we get to one of the best preserved areas of the Laurissilva forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999), where we will be able to observe a wide variety of plants.
Among the bird species, "Firecrest" and friendly flock can be distinguished.
We will pass through the waterfall before we finish the first part of our journey. Reaching an isolated, fantastically beautiful place in Madeira-Ribeiro Bonito, where the only thing you can hear is the sounds of nature.
After a few minutes of rest, we return on the same track.
Prices for a tour of the pedestrian route "Royal Levada" are here
10. Vereda Pico Ruivo Achada Teixeira
This hike begins at Axadas do Teixeira and lasts about 6 km. It's not an easy way, but it's not as difficult as if you started with Pico do Areiro. It's more than 300 meters both up and down, which gives a total of about 3 hours walk.
This whole trail is integrated into the Natura 2000 Network, a European network of great importance from a natural point of view. During this walk you will be able to see the central mountain range of Madeira (Pol da Serra, Encumeada, Pico do Areiro and Pico Ruivo).
Here, vegetation mainly consists of extremely stable trees such as Urza (Erica arborea), which can withstand strong winds and weather changes known in this area. The vast majority of these trees grew a century before the discovery of Madeira.
After about 3 km, we will get to Pico Ruivo (1862 m), where you will be blinded by magnificent views that can only be seen from there, from the highest point of Madeira. One of the best things in this walk is the feeling of walking through the clouds, a unique and incomparable experience.
Prices for a tour of the pedestrian mountain route "Ashada do Teixeira Pico Ruivo" here
TOP 10 Most popular and beautiful walking tours in Vereds and Levadas on the map.