2 days ago

Easy Levada on Madeira - Santo da Serra to Levada da Serra do Faial Hike

Madeira has so many amazing trails that it’s easy to get a little picky when deciding where to hike. The Levada Santo da Serra to Levada da Serra do Faial isn’t the most exciting trail on the island, but it’s got its own charm. We weren’t super hyped about it at first, but a few surprises along the way totally won us over. In this post, we’ll share some photos and a detailed look at what this hike is all about.

What is a Levada on Madeira

Levada Walks are the most popular tourist attraction on the island. Levadas are irrigation canals which transport water to the drier parts of the island. Along the canals you'll find hiking paths which can take you on adventure through a dense forest, long dark tunnels or even waterfalls which are often being the source of the water in levadas. Levada Walks are real adventure!

Pros and Cons of Hiking Levadas on Madeira

Hiking the levadas on Madeira is a must-do experience that gives you a unique way to explore the island. These trails are built alongside Madeira's iconic water channels, meaning they’re generally less steep and challenging than mountain hikes. You’ll follow a path that winds through lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and even tunnels, making the journey scenic and adventurous without being too exhausting.

One of the exciting features of the levadas is the tunnels, some stretching up to a kilometre. While they add to the adventure, they can be a bit tricky to navigate—you might need to hunch down and squeeze by others on the narrow paths. In some sections of the levada, you can easily step aside to let people pass, but in tighter spots, like tunnels or narrow ledges, it takes a bit more patience.

Most levadas are out-and-back trails, so you'll need to walk to the end and then return the same way. This can be a bit repetitive, but the reward is often worth it—the trail might lead to a stunning waterfall or a scenic view, making the effort feel like a rewarding adventure. And, of course, you can turn back at any point if you're ready to wrap up your hike.

Planning a trip?

Looking to book an activity or hire a guide? After spending two years on Madeira, we’ve gathered our top recommendations for local travel services, which you can find in our Madeira E-Book. But when we’re exploring new places, we always turn to GetYourGuide. They offer a huge selection of activities from trusted providers, all with upfront pricing and reviews from real customers, so you can book with confidence. Check out the activities below and find your next adventure with GetYourGuide!

Levada Santo da Serra To Levada da Serra do Faial Basic Info

🥾 Easy

⛰️ Total Distance: 10KM loop hike

📈 Incline: 200M

⏱️ Total Duration: 2-3H

Payment: Free

Starting Point and parking: Bar e Mercearia

Hiking Levada Santo da Serra To Levada da Serra do Faial

The Levada Santo da Serra to Levada da Serra do Faial is one of the simpler hiking trails on Madeira, making it a great choice for families with kids. Along the way, we saw not just hikers but also trail runners, bikers, and even horse riders enjoying the path. The trail starts right behind the Bar e Mercearia restaurant in Santo da Serra. Since it’s not an official PR trail or a popular one, there’s no designated parking.

The hike takes you through a lush forest, and after about 8 kilometers, it ends at a local road. From there, you’ll follow the road for another 2 kilometers to close the loop. Being a circular trail, you can start in either direction—straight into the forest or up the road first. We parked right in front of the bar and started from the sign that says "Vereda do Moinho." The first kilometer is an easy walk along a local road that passes some neighboring properties and heads gently uphill toward the forest. Not far in, there’s a restaurant along the way.

Around the 2-kilometer mark, you’ll come across a sign pointing to Casinha da Água, which you’ll reach shortly after. This spot is the main highlight of the trail, with its charming little house and a massive, unique tree that’s bent almost completely to the ground—perfect for photos! From here, the levada begins, and you’ll follow it all the way to the end.

The trail crosses several other paths, which can get confusing at times, so I recommend keeping the trail map handy. The official Madeira hiking app, WalkMe, was super helpful for us on this hike.

What stood out the most was how incredibly green and dense the trail was, especially with the giant fern trees—some of their leaves were bigger than a person! After 4 kilometers, the forest opens up to some gorgeous views before leading into a dense eucalyptus forest. From there, the trail stays pretty similar, with narrow paths that give off serious jungle vibes. Around the 5-kilometer mark, you’ll pass a bridge, and the forest becomes even thicker.

By kilometer 8, you’ll reach the road. Turn left here and follow it for another 2 kilometers to get back to where you started. Overall, it’s a fun, relaxing hike with some cool surprises along the way!