Levada Fajã do Rodrigues – PR16: A Lush Green Waterfall Hike
If you are looking for a fun levada walk with a long tunnel, be sure to check out Levada Fajã do Rodrigues. Also known as PR16, this levada weaves its way past multiple waterfalls, through the Laurissilva forest, and through a long dark tunnel.
The hike begins near São Vicente, on the northern coast of Madeira. After completing this hike, we recommend stopping in São Vicente to visit a scenic viewpoint near Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, a unique white chapel. Here is exactly what to expect so you can plan your hike.
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Webcams In Madeira
Get into the routine of checking the live webcams each morning before locking in your plans. A quick glance can save you from setting out on a hike or heading to a viewpoint, only to be met with clouds, rain, or poor visibility.
That said, doing this hike in the rain, fog, or mist brings its own kind of magic as you move through the lush greenery. During our hike, it was misty and cloudy, which brought a unique feeling along the hike
Things to Know
🥾 All classified hiking trails, including Levada Fajã do Rodrigues (PR16) on Madeira, now require reservations and payment through the SIMplficia Portal. Reserve your time and pay your fees right on the portal. Check the status of the trail you want to hike here to make sure it’s open.
- This is a popular hike in Madeira, but we did not have any issues parking. There is a fairly large parking lot that you can park in for free. We arrived in the late morning, after our visit to the Fanal Forest, and had no issues.
- There is plenty of shade on this trail, but it’s best to still bring some sunscreen and plenty of water!
- We did not see any restroom facilities at the trailhead or along the trail here, so be sure to plan ahead before arriving.
- Some folks note that the last tunnel is not worth it. We think otherwise! That being said, the last tunnel is very long and somewhat hard to traverse with folks coming the other direction. Bring your headlamp and prepare to get wet.
If you are planning on spending more time on Madeira, check out our full 9-day itinerary with the best hikes and things to do on the island!
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues – PR16
Round-trip, this hike is about 5.5 miles with 100 feet of elevation gain. Just note: AllTrails has the incorrect elevation on this hike due to the tunnels, which makes it seem like there is much more elevation gain than there actually is.
As you hike through the laurel forests, enjoy the scenery as you walk along the levada. You will pass through two small tunnels with some panoramic views of the area before coming to the last, and longest tunnel.
The last tunnel can get claustrophobic. It’s about a half mile long, but it’s dark, damp, and cramped! We thought it was fun!
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Parking Lot to The First Waterfall
After parking your car in the parking lot, head back toward the road and follow the signs for the levada that will lead you up the road. You’ll reach a sharp left turn. Follow that and up the hill to reach the trailhead.
At the sign, it’s time to begin the hike! The first sight you are rewarded with is the multi-tiered manmade waterfall that cascades down the hill. You’ll reach this point after hiking for about a tenth of a mile. Continue hiking along the levada past the tall pines on your right.
First Waterfall to the Second Waterfall
In the next section of the trail, follow the large curve in the trail as you head into the dense, green Laurassilva forest.
Eventually, you’ll reach a small area where the levada can be dammed as needed. Keep hiking, and you’ll reach the next waterfall after hiking for 1 mile total. This stretch of the hike follows the levada through the dense green forest.
This is a very picturesque area as the waterfall drops directly over the trail. It might be a trickle, or it could be full force, depending on the recent weather. You are likely going to get wet here!
Additionally, there are some great panoramic views of the nearby mountains and villages down in the valley right near the waterfall.
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Second Waterfall to Short Tunnels & Third Waterfall
Pass by the waterfall and continue to follow the levada. You’ll eventually reach two small tunnels that are back-to-back.
Just after this point, continue to walk through the forest, and eventually the trail continues directly over the levada using large concrete blocks with the water rushing below you.
🚡 Want more fun on Madeira Island? Do not miss the cliffside adventure on the Achadas da Cruz cable car!
At about 1.8 miles in, you’ll reach a third waterfall as well as a waterfall along the wall, directly near the trail. Spend some time here enjoying the views and the waterfall because next up is the half-mile-long tunnel.
Half Mile Tunnel
Get ready to become claustrophobic! Well, we hope not, but this tunnel is long, dark, and wet. As you enter the tunnel, water will likely be pouring over the entrance, so be prepared to get wet.
At first, the trail is fairly wide as you travel over the levada on concrete blocks. However, just after this section, the trail narrows significantly, where you’ll have to hike along an elevated platform directly on the side of the levada. If you fall in, you’ll get soaked!
As other hikers are coming at you from the other direction, you may have to contort your body for them to get around you. Some folks may even lean over the levada, making an arch with their bodies in order to let other people pass.
Stay patient in the tunnel, as you might need to wait a little bit for a group of hikers going the other direction to pass.
Ribeira do Inferno
You have made it out of the tunnel! On the other end, there is so much lush greenery as you make your way to the end of the trail. It’s wet, damp, and looks like a fairy tale. From this point, it’s just a quick 0.3 of a mile to the end.
When you arrive at the final waterfall, you have completed the entire trail to the end at 2.75 miles. The scenery here is so beautiful, as the waterfall is flowing and the greenery is glowing in the misty, humid air.
Now, psych yourself up for the return hike through the long tunnel. You made it one way, and you can do it again! Be patient, take your time, and make some friends as you all work together to pass one another along the narrow trail!
After completing this trail, we recommend heading to Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima in nearby São Vicente.
Visiting São Vicente and Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima
You can’t miss the picturesque Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima near the small town of São Vicente. This is just a short 10-15 minute drive away from the parking lot, so don’t miss it.
Let’s be real here: we put this spot into Google, and away we went. However, when we reached our destination, we were so confused! It turns out you’ll need to park in a small area off the road and use a series of steep steps to reach Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima.
Park right here, where there is just enough room for a few cars. Then, use the path and steps just to the right of the house to reach the chapel.
At the top, the views are outstanding! The viewpoint and white chapel look out over lush green valleys, where clusters of homes with traditional orange terracotta tile roofs are scattered across the valley’s natural, terrace-like landscape.
The chapel was built in the mid-20th century, and its hilltop location wasn’t accidental. Chapels in Madeira were often placed in elevated, remote spots to create a sense of pilgrimage and contemplation.
As you look north, you’ll see a little sliver of ocean off in the distance. This is one of the best viewpoints we stopped at while visiting Madeira!
Don’t Forget Your Rental Car
If you want to make the most of your time on the island of Madeira, be sure to book a rental car and book it early. For the best rates, check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! You really can’t go wrong with DiscoverCars.
If there is one takeaway about rental cars in Madeira, make sure you get the smallest one that fits your party. Roads are narrow, and parking can be tough!
Where to Stay While Enjoying Madeira
Madeira has plenty of great hotels and rentals to choose from. We recommend picking one location on the island and using that as your home base. You can get anywhere on the island in about an hour or a bit more.
We chose the warm, scenic, and small town of Ponta do Sol as our home base, and we really loved our rental house! Some choose to stay in Funchal, which has tons of amenities.
Here are a few great places to stay in Ponta do Sol:
- A VRBO! If you are looking for your own place to stay on Madeira, check out the great rental options in Ponta do Sol or across the entire island of Madeira!
- 1905 Zino’s Palace – a beautifully restored pink palace in Ponta do Sol, offering an intimate boutique stay in a historic 19th-century building. With elegant rooms, ocean views, and a peaceful pool area, it blends Madeiran heritage with relaxed, modern comfort. Complete with a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a bar. Check it out now on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Enotel Sunset Bay – a relaxed 4-star hotel in Ponta do Sol, right by the Atlantic with stunning sunset views and easy access to a pebble beach. The property offers a heated pool, sauna, and restaurant serving local cuisine. Book right now on Expedia or Booking.com.
Final Thoughts
This was another great levada walk that we completed during our adventures in Madeira. We were initially not sure if we wanted to do this one because of the long tunnel, but it was worth it in the end.
The super lush area at the end of the trail was so picturesque! That being said, the tunnel was very VERY long, dark, and somewhat claustrophobic. There were multiple sections of the tunnel that we had to squeeze to one side in order to let oncoming hikers pass by.
If you are tall, make sure to be aware that you’ll likely be hunched over for most of this section of the hike, and you may even bump your head if you aren’t careful! If you are prepared to get wet, you can also step down into the water, but it will be cold!
After hiking PR16, we headed to Capelinha de Nossa Senhora de Fátima. This unique church and viewpoint can’t be missed. It’s just a few minutes away from the Levada Fajã do Rodrigues, so don’t miss it before ending your day!
🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay with an epic view and pool, too? Don’t forget to check out VRBO or Expedia to book your stay!
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