Ready for 9.1 km of breathtaking nature, lush forests, and a hidden nature temple straight out of a fairy tale? This hike is your ticket to paradise – minus the snake pits!
The Levada do Rei trail (4.57 km one way, plus 4.57 km back) lets you dive into Madeira’s greenest landscapes, ending at a magical spot considered a natural sanctuary. The hike is classified as moderate and takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Starting at the Quebradas water treatment plant in São Jorge, the trail first winds through an exotic forest, offering views of the agricultural landscapes of São Jorge and Santana. Along the way, you’ll pass through tunnels formed by the lush vegetation—Madeira’s way of saying, "Welcome to the jungle!"
The secret behind this green wonderland? Water, and lots of it! But the best part? The final destination: Ribeiro Bonito stream, an untouched natural sanctuary surrounded by the dense laurel forest. Pure magic!
Before heading home, don’t miss the São Jorge Water Mill—the last operational mill of its kind, powered by the Levada do Rei. Here, grains from the region are still ground the old-school way under the watchful eye of a local miller. Yep, this place is literally history in action!
Hiking Tax: And before you go, just a heads-up: there’s a flat access fee of 3€ unless you’re a resident or a child under 12 (in which case, you get the VIP pass). For more details, check out the SIMplifica portal — because yes, even nature has gone digital these days.
BUS: From Funchal with Bus 103 till the Snackbar after São Jorge and from there 10 min to the entrance of the Levada
http://www.horariosdofunchal.pt/
Estrada Achada do Vigário n°1, São Jorge, 9230-142 Santana
To start navigation on your phone, click 'View larger map' in the top left corner of the map.
Sometimes, finding the exact location of the hike can be challenging. That’s why we’ve included GPS coordinates to make it easier to reach.
Once you click the play button, you can download the GPS file from the menu in the upper-right corner.
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