PR18 – Levada do Rei: How To Complete This Easy Levada Walk in Madeira

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Webcams In Madeira

Be sure to take a look at the live webcams each morning before making your plans. A quick glance can save you from setting off on a hike or heading to a viewpoint, only to be met with clouds, rain, or poor visibility. That would be no fun!

However, this hike is fine to do in the clouds and even in the mist or rain. That type of weather adds an ethereal and tranquil feeling to this green and lush hike.

PR18 – Levada do Rei

Also known as the King’s Levada, you can’t miss this hike while visiting the gorgeous island of Madeira. Round-trip, this hike is about 6-7 miles with basically no elevation gain.

This levada walk will take you through dense laurel forest, part of the UNESCO-protected Laurisilva forest. With constant views of emerald hillsides and dramatic mountain slopes, you’ll pass by waterfalls, through small tunnels, and great viewpoints overlooking the Madeiran landscape.

Parking Area To The Creek Crossing

The first part of the hike follows a dirt and gravel road to the Water Treatment Plant of Quebradas. Follow the signs that say “Levada” and walk up the steps up toward the trail and levada. Cross the tiny bridge over the water, and you’ll be on your way.

The trail follows directly along the levada and can get pretty muddy, so come prepared with the proper footwear.

The lush greenery of the jungle – like forest with twists and turns in the levada makes this a fun hike, as you can’t see what’s around the corner.

At about 1.2 miles into the hike, you’ll be rewarded with some awesome views of the green mountains in the distance.

⛰️ For a different type of hike in the mountains and above the clouds, check out the Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo hikes.

Continue hiking for another 0.7 miles, and you’ll reach a horseshoe-like bend in the trail. Here, there is another trail off to the right, so stay to your left at this point and cross the creek.

Creek Crossing to Waterfall

The next section of the trail widens out a bit as you make your way toward the waterfall. But first, after hiking 2.5 miles on the trail, you’ll reach a small tunnel!

This tunnel is not very long, so you don’t really need a headlamp for this one. The trail will begin to narrow again with a fence on one side and the levada on the other.

Then, it’s time to get wet! The waterfall tumbles over the steep wall to the right. On a hot day, this is a nice, welcoming cool-down! You will cross the levada directly on blocks that have been placed over it.

The waterfall is located about 3 miles in, and at this point, the end of the hike is near.

Where to Stay

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. Check out Tripadvisor to compare locations and prices.

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.
• 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.

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!

Is the Hike On PR18 – Levada do Rei Worth It?

Yes! If you are looking for a great levada walk on the island of Madeira that takes little to no effort, this is your best bet! The most elevation gain here comes from the steps right at the beginning of the trail. From there, it’s smooth sailing all the way to the end of the trail.

Keep in mind, this trail does get muddy, and you will definitely get wet under the waterfall. We really enjoyed following the levada snaking through the lush green forest. Plus, the mountain overlooks were very cool and offered some great views.

We recommend planning to do this hike in the morning and heading to Levada do Caldeirão Verde for the afternoon. Both of these hikes are fairly flat and easy, which is perfect for a full day of hiking on Madeira.