This levada is often ranked amongst the most beautiful trails in Madeira, and rightly so.

It takes you through the dense vegetation of a laurel forest and amongst giant ferns, stretching from the town of São Jorge in the north right into the heart of the island.

The first third of the levada runs through a sparser forest, where native plant species mingle with those introduced by seed, and you can admire eucalyptus trees and rhododendrons, for example. From time to time, there are also lovely views of the coastal towns.

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As you venture deeper and deeper into the island’s interior, the forest becomes much denser, consisting mainly of native and endemic Madeiran plant species. Were it not for the stone-lined levada channel, the paths running alongside it and the occasional railing, this is exactly what Madeira would have looked like before colonisation.

The levada runs partly through the heart of the forest, but partly along a contour line, from where beautiful views of this unspoilt green paradise open up here and there...

Route details

The Levada do Rei is popular, amongst other things, for being very easy going. Virtually the entire route is on flat ground, apart from the final short climb, which you can easily skip. In places, the path alongside the channel is narrow, but where necessary, it is fitted with a handrail.

There is an entry fee for the trail, which 4,50 eur and must be booked online atsimplifica.madeira.gov.pt.

• Distance – 5 km one way
• Time – approx. 2.5 hours there + 2 hours back
• Difficulty – moderate (mainly due to the longer distance)
• Route map

There is a small car park at the start of the route; the turn-off from the main road between São Jorge and Arco de São Jorge is signposted.

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