Follow 15th-century waterways deep into the forests of Madeira to explore the island’s remote hinterland.
In the 15th century, islanders on Madeira created a system of stone channels known as levadas to carry rainwater from the mountains to the towns, villages, and crop fields below. Stretching over 2,000 km (1,200 miles) across the island, the original paths beside these waterways are now popular walking trails, crisscrossing its otherwise inaccessible remote areas.
On this private tour, your expert hiking guide will give you a taste of these trails, choosing the right one to suit you and the day’s weather conditions. You’ll be collected from your hotel by your guide and taken to the starting point of the chosen levada walk. Whichever path you’re on, you’ll wind your way through enthralling landscapes of wild mountain peaks, thundering waterfalls, dense forests, and remote villages.
Along these routes, the heady scent of eucalyptus trees hangs in the air, and you’ll snatch glimpses of the sea beyond the steep valleys. Your guide will help you spot native holly, barbusano, and laurel shrubs, as well as regale you with tales of how these waterways were created. As you walk, you’ll also come across collections of small crystalline lakes.
The trails do have some uneven ground and each should take around three hours. You’ll usually stop at a small local café for refreshments as you wrap up the tour, from where you’ll be driven back to your hotel.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Portugal specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Breakfast above the clouds
Tuck into a private picnic on the summit of Pico do Areeiro as the sun rises above an ocean of cloud. You can watch the sky brighten in rays of warm orange light to the sound of birdsong, all with a hot drink in hand.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
