If you read my take on Levada das 25 Fontes, you already know I'm not sold on the most Instagrammed levada on the island. So here's the list I actually give people when they ask me where to walk in Madeira — five trails I keep coming back to myself, picked for very different reasons: easy days with kids, quiet mornings with almost no one else around, and one that ends in a swim.
1. Levada Nova
Close to Ponta do Sol, Levada Nova is my go-to recommendation for families. It's an easy, flat walk that even young kids handle without complaining sicne it doesnt take to long 2,5 hours , and there's a lovely spot along the way that's perfect for a picnic. No steep climbs, only some sexposed edges (still be careful) — just a relaxed morning in the greenery.
2. Levada do Castelejo
Head north for this one, and you'll likely have it almost entirely to yourself. It's a longer outing — plan for around three hours there and back — but the reward at the end is a natural swimming lagoon, which makes it one of the most satisfying hikes on this list if you don't mind a proper walk to earn your swim.
3. Levada do Alecrim
This is my answer to 25 Fontes if you're already in the Rabaçal area. It starts from the same general region but sees a fraction of the crowds, so you get the same lush, green scenery without spending half the walk waiting your turn for photos.
4. Levada da Fajã do Rodrigues
Another quiet one, tucked into a fajã that gives the trail its name. My tip: there's a beekeeper right at the start of the parking area — grab a jar of honey before you set off. It's one of those small local touches that makes a hike memorable beyond the scenery.
5. Levada do Caldeirão Verde
The name says it all — "green cauldron" — and the walk lives up to it. This one takes you through dense, jungle-like stretches of Madeira's laurissilva forest before ending at a proper waterfall. It's one of the more dramatic levada walks on the island, and well worth the effort.
Keep Exploring
I've got a couple more favorites saved on my guide account that I'll add here soon. In the meantime, if you'd rather have a guide lead the way, Madeira Explorers runs levada walks across the island, and if you're still working out how to fit hikes like these into your trip, How Many Days Do You Need in Madeira? is a good place to start.
