PR 16 - Levada Fajã do Rodrigues - Adventurous Hike on Madeira with Tunnels and Waterfalls
The PR 16 - Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is one of the most adventurous levadas on Madeira, easily ranking among the island’s top levada trails. It’s lush and green throughout, immersing you in a true jungle-like atmosphere. Along the way, you’ll encounter several small waterfalls cascading directly onto the trail, making it almost impossible to stay dry—especially after a rainy day when the path is often soaked. The trail features multiple tunnels, including one that stretches a full kilometer. Navigating it requires plenty of ducking, which can be tough on your back, but the challenge only adds to the adventure!
Planning a trip to Madeira? The Ultimate Madeira Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
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!
How to get to PR 16 - Levada Fajã do Rodrigues on Madeira
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is situated in Ginjas, a small town just above São Vicente. The easiest way to reach the trail is by renting a car or taking a taxi, as there’s no public transportation that goes directly to the trailhead. If you’re staying in São Vicente, it’s only about a 10-minute drive, while traveling from Funchal takes approximately 40-50 minutes. There’s a large, free parking area located around 200 meters from the trailhead, offering fantastic views. Use the directions from the map below to guide you to the starting point.
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.
Plan your hike at PR 16 - Levada Fajã do Rodrigues
Check the official website to see if this trail is currently open and safe to hike.
Distance: 4 KM (point to point)
Incline: 30M
Duration: 3-3.5 hours (out and back)
Online Payment: €3 for all visitors over 12 years old.
Why Hike PR 16 - Levada Fajã do Rodrigues
Pros:
Short and easy trail with no incline
Lush, green scenery resembling a Jurassic Park vibe
Diverse features, including tunnels and waterfalls
Cons:
One tunnel is 1 kilometre long with a narrow ledge, making it uncomfortable to walk, especially during busy times
After rain, the trail becomes muddy with large, unavoidable puddles, and waterfalls drop water directly onto the path, ensuring you’ll get wet
You can feel claustrophobic in the tunnels
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues Payment
To pay for Madeira's walking trails online, just go to the official SIMplifica website and click the "Request" button on the left (labeled "Solicitar" in Portuguese). You’ll fill out a quick form—choose your trail, select your hike date, and enter your email and country of origin. For payment, just enter your bank card info. You can complete this payment anytime before your hike, even right before starting. Just keep in mind that phone signal can be weak in some areas, so it’s best to handle it ahead of time.
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues Hike Description
We have a true love-hate relationship with Levada Fajã do Rodrigues. It’s undeniably one of the most thrilling trails on Madeira, with its vibrant green surroundings that evoke a Jurassic Park vibe, complete with cascading waterfalls and adventurous tunnels. However, the experience is not without challenges—one of the tunnels is exceptionally long, with a narrow ledge and low ceiling, making it quite uncomfortable to traverse. A torch or headlamp is essential for this hike.
The trailhead is located about 400 meters uphill from a parking area that offers a stunning panoramic view of the São Vicente valley. From the very start, you’ll walk alongside a large levada canal, which stays with you throughout the hike. The first section winds through a dense forest of pine and eucalyptus trees, with occasional glimpses of the São Vicente valley peeking through the branches. At one point, the towering pine trees create a striking image, something quite unique for Madeira. Early on, you’ll encounter a sluice that forms a cascading multi-level waterfall, adding a distinctive charm to the trail.
After about 2.2 kilometers, you’ll reach the first waterfall, which flows directly onto the path. As we visited this hike on a sunny day, the water was mild, but during a rainy day, the waterfall can be much more intense, adding an exciting challenge to the hike. Shortly after this point, the trail opens up, offering a view of São Vicente below, with the iconic white chapel prominently standing in the valley’s center.
Even on dry days, the trail can be quite wet, with unavoidable puddles or stretches of water covering the path. During a previous hike on a rainy day, we had to wade barefoot through cold water to reach the endpoint. This time, we balanced on the levada’s edge or stepped carefully through smaller puddles and mud. Waterproof hiking shoes are a must for levada trails like this one.
At 2.6 kilometers, you’ll encounter the first of three tunnels. This one is short, around 50 meters, but having a headlamp is still helpful. The second tunnel follows shortly after, extending about 100 meters, and by this point, the hike starts to feel like a real adventure. Around the third kilometer, the trail becomes even more lush, with giant ferns bending over the path, amplifying the jungle atmosphere. Passing through two short tunnels separated by a waterfall was a highlight for us, making the experience feel truly unique.
The third tunnel is where the real challenge begins. Stretching approximately one kilometer, it has a levada running through the center, leaving only a narrow ledge to walk on. The ceiling gets lower as you proceed, with uneven rocks sticking out, requiring you to duck constantly. At an average height of around 1.7 meters, it’s not ideal for taller hikers or anyone carrying a large backpack—my 50-liter bag continuously scraped the walls and ceiling. The tunnel is also very wet, with water dripping from above, making a waterproof jacket highly recommended. It’s a back-breaking journey as you walk through this tight space, often brushing against the walls or leaning for balance. In the middle of the tunnel, the darkness is profound, with only small dots of light marking the two ends in the distance.
Emerging from the tunnel, you’re greeted by another waterfall pouring onto the trail, further intensifying the jungle vibe. The trail ends abruptly in a small gorge with a modest waterfall—not particularly impressive compared to Madeira’s other breathtaking waterfalls. Perhaps we’re just spoiled by the island’s many incredible hikes, but the finale didn’t quite feel worth the discomfort of the long tunnel.
Despite its challenges, Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is undeniably one of Madeira’s top levada walks. To make the most of it, consider starting early at sunrise or late in the evening to avoid crowds, as the trail and especially the tunnels can get congested during midday, making passing other hikers quite chaotic.
How to get around Madeira?
The best way to explore Madeira is undoubtedly by renting a car. We always use and recommend Discover Cars for our trips. They offer a wide selection of both international and local rental companies, with transparent pricing that includes all fees and taxes upfront.
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