What is a levada?

A levada is a man-made water channel in Madeira. Levadas form part of a managed water system, and paths beside them now support many walking routes.

UNESCO’s World Heritage property is the Laurisilva of Madeira, not “the levadas” as a separate heritage designation. UNESCO’s record does, however, describe levadas passing through this surviving laurel forest. That makes the forest and water system closely connected on some walks without making them the same thing.

A levada walk is not automatically easy. Routes can include narrow surfaces, exposure, wet stone, tunnels, steps and changing access. Distance alone does not describe difficulty.

Before walking, check:

• official route status and any current reservation requirement;
• distance, ascent, surface and exposed sections;
• whether tunnels require a light;
• weather at the route’s altitude, not only in Funchal;
• the guide’s or your own fallback if access changes.

On a learning-led walk, your guide can help you connect the channel, terrain, vegetation and settlements. Following the path is walking; applying those observations is interpretation. See Madeira walking holidays.