Madeira Explorers: Levada & Leisure Walks

Madeira Explorers has run guided levada walks from Funchal since 2003: half-day and full-day routes like 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo and Paradise Valley, with hotel pickup included.

Madeira Explorers is a Funchal-based walking company that has been guiding visitors along Madeira's levadas since 2003. It runs a fixed weekly programme of half-day and full-day walks, from gentle valley routes to the classic mountain hike to Pico Ruivo, with hotel pickup included in the price.

Walks and Weekly Schedule

The programme covers most of the island's best-known routes. Each walk runs on set days of the week:

Serra d'Água Valley (half day): Monday and Saturday
Paradise Valley (half day, around 5 km): Tuesday and Friday
Maroços – Mimosa Valley (half day): Wednesday
Referta – Castelejo (half day): Thursday and Sunday
Rabaçal / Risco / 25 Fontes (full day): Tuesday and Thursday
Levada do Moinho / Levada Nova (full day): Tuesday
Ribeiro Frio – Portela (full day): Wednesday
Pico do Areeiro / Pico Ruivo / Achada do Teixeira (full day): Wednesday and Saturday, weather permitting
Queimadas / Caldeirão Verde / Santana (full day): Friday
Hidden Corners (full day): Saturday
Levada do Alecrim (full day): Sunday

The schedule can change with the season and the weather, so check the current programme on the official website before you plan your week.

Prices

Half-day walks: €38 per adult, €25 per child (4–9)
Full-day walks: €48 per adult, €38 per child (4–9)
Pico Ruivo route: €48 per adult plus €7 transport
Babies (0–4): free (one per booking)
Pickup from Machico or Santa Cruz: €10 extra per person

Prices as listed by the operator in 2026. Check the website for the latest rates.

Pickup and Practical Info

Walks include minibus pickup and drop-off from hotels in Funchal, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico, usually between about 07:40 and 09:40 depending on the route and your area. Guides speak several languages, including English, German and Portuguese, and explain the island's flora, geology and history along the way. Most walks include a short coffee break.

Office: Estrada Monumental 284, Centro Comercial Monumental Experience, 1st floor, shop 5, 9004-541 Funchal
Office hours: Monday to Saturday, 09:00–16:30
Phone (daily 09:00–21:00): +351 962 797 887
Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before the walk starts
Weather: walks may be changed or cancelled at short notice if conditions are unsafe

What to Bring

Wear sports shoes with good grip or proper walking boots. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer for mountain routes, water, sunscreen and a torch for walks with tunnels (such as 25 Fontes and Caldeirão Verde). Backpacks and walking sticks can be provided on request.

Guided or Self-Guided?

Many levadas are easy to walk on your own, but a guided tour makes sense if you don't have a car, want to do linear routes without worrying about the return transport, or prefer someone else to judge weather and trail conditions. That's especially useful for the Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo route, where conditions change quickly. On the way you'll pass through the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest and some of Madeira's best miradouros. The Pico Ruivo hike ends near the mountain hut Casa de Abrigo do Pico Ruivo, and the Ribeiro Frio route starts close to the Balcões viewpoint.

For more route ideas, read our guide to the best levada walks in Madeira or browse more activities on What to Do on Madeira.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Madeira Explorers levada walk cost?

Half-day walks cost €38 per adult and full-day walks €48 per adult, including hotel pickup from Funchal and Caniço.

Do I need hiking experience?

Not for most routes. The half-day valley walks are gentle, while full-day routes like Pico Ruivo or Caldeirão Verde need a reasonable level of fitness and a head for heights in places.