From Funchal: São Jorge Valleys Levada Walk

The best moment here is the walk behind a waterfall, where the trail reaches Ribeiro Bonito, a quiet forest retreat at the end of the Levada do Rei. You get Madeira’s famous rainforest, old irrigation channels, and a close look at native herbs in one long outing.

I like the mostly gentle 10.5-kilometer route, which makes this a good choice if you want a full day outdoors without a steep mountain climb. I also like the small-group feel reported on one outing, with nine people and guide Sarah explaining the plants in very good German. The main drawback is that some narrow sections can trouble anyone with a fear of heights, and a larger group may feel crowded on the path.

Key points

• Walk behind a waterfall twice, so a rain jacket is useful even when the day begins dry.
• Follow Levada do Rei, PR18, on a route that rises gently on the way out and returns along the same path.
• Reach Ribeiro Bonito, a peaceful forest area after about 5.25 kilometers of walking.
• Learn about herbs and medicinal plants, including traditional uses of Madeira’s native flora.
• Expect about eight hours door to door, including transport from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço.
• Bring sturdy footwear and water, and check your pickup message the day before.

Walking the Levada do Rei into São Jorge

This excursion gives you a classic Madeira experience without asking you to tackle a hard mountain route. You follow Levada do Rei, also called PR18, through the valleys around São Jorge. The levada is an irrigation channel, and its narrow waterway guides the path through thick forest.

The route is about 10.5 kilometers in total. You walk gently uphill on the way to Ribeiro Bonito, then return downhill along the same route. That detail matters: you do not need to worry about finding your way back on a separate trail, and the return is less demanding on your legs.

The tour lasts eight hours, but that does not mean eight hours of nonstop walking. Transport, time at the endpoint, pauses, and the guided portion all form part of the day. You should still treat it as a serious outdoor outing rather than a short stroll.

The path is described as easy overall, but easy does not mean completely carefree. A few sections run beside drops, and anyone with vertigo may feel uneasy. Keep your attention on your footing, especially when stopping for photographs or when the group is moving through a narrow part of the trail.

The rainforest is the main event

Madeira’s rainforest gives this walk its character. The trail passes through thick greenery, with water, moss, and plant life filling the spaces around the levada. You are not simply walking from one viewpoint to another. The pleasure comes from the steady change in the forest as the path follows the valley.

The guide adds useful context by pointing out herbs and medicinal plants. You learn about healing properties and old remedies connected with the island’s native flora. This is one of the better reasons to choose a guided walk rather than follow the route alone. The plants become part of the story instead of being a wall of green beside the path.

I especially like this focus because it gives the outing a local purpose. Madeira’s levadas are engineering works, but they are also routes through living forest. The guide helps connect those two sides: human ingenuity in the channel, and the herbs, trees, and water that surround it.

The language choice is another practical advantage. Guides operate in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese. Sarah led one outing in German and gave detailed explanations on the way out. Guide assignments can change, but the multilingual setup makes it easier to choose a tour that suits your language.

Waterfalls, wet shoes, and Ribeiro Bonito

The waterfall sections are the most memorable part of the walk. The route passes through or behind falling water, and one account notes doing this twice. That is why a lightweight rain jacket belongs in your day bag, even if the weather looks fine in Funchal.

Do not confuse the waterfall passages with a polished attraction. You are walking on a trail beside a working levada in a damp forest. The water may spray across the path, and your shoes may get wet. Wear footwear with a solid grip, and pack away phones or cameras before passing the wettest spots.

At the end of the route, you reach Ribeiro Bonito. This is the point that gives the outing its paradise on earth feeling, not because there is a grand building or a long list of facilities, but because the forest becomes quiet and enclosed. The reward is the setting itself and the sense of having followed the water deep into the valley.

A 30-minute pause at Ribeiro Bonito was part of one outing. That gives you time to rest, take photographs, and enjoy the forest before returning. Do not expect a restaurant lunch at the endpoint. Lunch is not included, so bring food with you or confirm what stop arrangements your guide makes during the day.

The out-and-back rhythm works well

The route’s shape is simple. You walk out along the levada, reach Ribeiro Bonito, pause, and return by the same path. On the outward leg, the gentle uphill grade and the guide’s explanations keep the walk moving at a relaxed pace.

The return can feel easier for two reasons. First, the trail slopes gently down. Second, the guide may allow you to walk back at your own pace, with the guide following behind the group to the meeting point. This arrangement was used on one outing and made it easier to stop for photographs without holding up everyone.

Group size can affect the experience. A nine-person group offers a pleasant balance: enough people for a social outing, but not so many that every pause becomes a traffic jam. A larger group may move in single file and leave little room to stop for photos. The route itself remains the same, but the pace and feeling can change.

If taking pictures matters to you, ask about the walking arrangement at the start. A flexible return can make a big difference. You can enjoy the forest rather than feel pushed along behind the person ahead.

Why the levada matters

Levada walks are one of Madeira’s most distinctive outdoor activities. The channels carry water across difficult ground, while the paths beside them create access into valleys that would otherwise be harder to reach. On this outing, the levada is not just a convenient trail. It explains why people built and maintained routes through such steep island terrain.

You also get a sense of how water shapes Madeira. It appears beside the path, drops through waterfalls, and supports the plant life around the channel. The result is a walk with a clear thread: follow the water and the forest opens up around it.

The route does not focus on sweeping mountain viewpoints. Its appeal is closer and more intimate. You notice damp stone, leaves, flowing water, herbs, and the changing sound of the forest. If you want a dramatic summit or a chain of panoramic overlooks, this may not be your best Madeira hike. If you prefer a shaded route with a strong sense of place, it is a better match.

How difficult is the São Jorge walk?

The route is generally considered easy, with a gentle climb on the outward leg and a gentle descent on the way back. It is not presented as a demanding mountain hike. Still, 10.5 kilometers requires time on your feet, and the path includes sections where a height fear may become an issue.

You should be comfortable walking for several hours and keeping your footing on a damp trail. Hiking shoes are the safest choice. Sports shoes may work for some people, but the supplied advice specifically includes comfortable shoes, hiking shoes, water, and sports shoes, so sturdy footwear is worth treating as essential rather than optional.

Take a water bottle. Lunch is not included, and the tour lasts most of the day. A small packed meal, snacks, and a rain jacket will make the outing more comfortable, even though only water and appropriate shoes are specifically required.

This is not the right choice for someone seeking a completely flat pavement walk or a short stop between other activities. It is a good fit for you if you want a moderate day in nature and do not mind a narrow path, damp sections, and a steady walking distance.

Pickup from Funchal and nearby areas

Pickup is available from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço whenever access allows. Some hotels have awkward entrances or no suitable place for a vehicle to stop. In those cases, the operator sends an alternative meeting point close to your hotel.

If you are staying in the Lido area, plan to meet at the operator’s office at Monumental Lido rather than assume a hotel pickup. This is an important detail because it can affect your morning timing.

Check your email, SMS, or WhatsApp the day before. The staff sends pickup reminders and meeting instructions through those channels. I would not leave this until the morning of the walk, especially if you are staying outside central Funchal.

The transport is part of the value of the excursion. You do not need to arrange your own route to São Jorge, find the trailhead, or manage parking. For a visitor who wants a full day in the forest without renting a car, that convenience helps justify the $50 price.

Is $50 a fair price?

At $50 per person, the tour offers a full eight-hour outing, transport pickup where possible, a live multilingual guide, and a guided walk through one of Madeira’s best-known levada areas. Taxes and fuel surcharges are included, so the advertised price does not leave those additions hanging over your budget.

Lunch is extra, and you should plan for that cost yourself. You also need to bring your own water, food, and suitable clothing. The price is therefore strongest for someone who values transport and interpretation, not for an independent hiker who already has a car and knows the trail.

The guide’s plant explanations add real value. You could walk beside the levada and see the same forest, but you would miss much of the information about medicinal plants and traditional remedies. The guided format also removes some of the planning work, which is useful when your Madeira schedule is short.

A rating of 4.7 from 66 ratings points to a consistently well-received experience, though the practical limits remain clear. The size of the group, the amount of time available for photographs, and your comfort with exposed sections can shape your day more than the headline attractions do.

Who should book this walk?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A full day in Madeira’s rainforest
• A mostly gentle route rather than a steep mountain hike
• An introduction to levadas and their role in the island
• Guided information about herbs and medicinal plants
• A waterfall crossing and a forest endpoint at Ribeiro Bonito
• Pickup help from Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, or Caniço
• A tour in English, Spanish, French, German, or Portuguese

I would think twice if you dislike narrow trails, feel strong anxiety near drops, or want a quick sightseeing trip with plenty of free time. A larger group may also feel restrictive on narrow sections, particularly when people want to stop for photographs.

The best practical plan is to wear hiking shoes, carry water and lunch, and bring a rain jacket. Let the guide know if heights concern you. On the return, take advantage of any option to walk at your own pace, since that can make the route feel much more relaxed.

Should you book the São Jorge Valleys walk?

Book it if you want to see Madeira through water, forest, and plants rather than only from roadside viewpoints. The waterfall passages, Ribeiro Bonito, and the guided explanation of native herbs give the day more substance than a simple woodland walk.

At $50, it is good value for a full day with transport and a guide, provided you remember that lunch is not included and that the trail is not completely free of height exposure. Choose this tour for a steady, green, informative walk through São Jorge, and pack for wet weather even on a sunny morning.

FAQ

How long does the São Jorge Valleys Levada Walk last?

The activity lasts eight hours, including the day’s transport, walking, pauses, and guided time.

Where does the walk take place?

The walk follows Levada do Rei, also known as PR18, through the valleys around São Jorge in Madeira.

How far is the walking route?

The full out-and-back route is about 10.5 kilometers, based on the walking distance given for the experience.

Is the route difficult?

The route is generally described as easy, with a gentle uphill walk on the way out and a gentle downhill return. Some sections may feel difficult for people with a fear of heights.

Do you walk through a waterfall?

Yes. The route passes through or behind a waterfall, and the waterfall section is encountered twice during the walk.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should plan to bring food or make your own arrangements.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable or hiking shoes, water, and sports shoes as appropriate. A rain jacket is also a useful choice because the route passes behind waterfalls.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço when access and parking allow. Lido-area hotels are asked to meet at the office at Monumental Lido, and some other hotels may receive a nearby alternative pickup point.