From Funchal: São Jorge Valleys Levada Walk

The most memorable part of this São Jorge Valleys walk is the passage behind a waterfall. You follow the Levada do Rei, PR18, through Madeira’s wet northern forest, then pass through falling water to reach Ribeiro Bonito, a quiet green spot that feels far removed from Funchal.

I like the gentle trail and the chance to learn what local herbs and medicinal plants were used for. I also like that the walk combines scenery with a little engineering history, since the levada itself is a working example of Madeira’s remarkable water-channel system.

The main catch is group pace. One outing had only nine people, while another felt crowded enough that stopping for photos was difficult. A few exposed spots may unsettle anyone with a fear of heights, and you should expect to get wet at the waterfalls.

Key points to know before you book

• Walk behind two waterfalls: A rain jacket is useful even if the weather in Funchal looks fine.
• Follow Levada do Rei, PR18: The route is about 10.5 kilometers on one reported outing, with a mild uphill walk out and an easier return.
• Reach Ribeiro Bonito: The trail ends at a peaceful forest setting where you can take a break before returning.
• Learn about Madeira’s plants: Your guide explains native herbs, medicinal uses, and old remedies along the way.
• Pickup covers several resort areas: Hotel collection is available where access allows in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço.
• Bring your own lunch: The $50 price includes taxes and fuel surcharges, but not food.

Following Levada do Rei into Madeira’s northern forest

This is an eight-hour outing from Funchal, but the walking itself is only one part of the day. Hotel pickup and the drive to São Jorge take time, which is useful because you get a break from arranging transport and can focus on the route.

The walk follows Levada do Rei, also called PR18, one of Madeira’s classic levada paths. A levada is a narrow water channel built to carry water across the island. Beside it runs a walking path, often shaded by thick forest. Here, the channel leads you through São Jorge’s valleys and into Madeira’s rainforest.

I like this type of walk because the trail has a clear sense of purpose. You are not simply walking through trees. You are following a piece of island infrastructure that helped move water through steep country. The waterway also gives the route a natural guide, so you spend less time wondering where the path goes.

The route has been described as mostly easy and fairly flat. One detailed outing covered about 10.5 kilometers, with a gentle climb on the way to Ribeiro Bonito and a mild downhill return. That makes it a good choice if you want a full day outdoors without a steep mountain hike.

Still, easy does not mean effortless. Ten kilometers is a real walk, and the path may feel long if you are not used to spending several hours on foot. The trail also includes a few places that can trouble people with a fear of heights. You should be comfortable with narrow or exposed sections before booking.

The rainforest walk and its useful plant lessons

The forest is the star of the route. You move through damp, shaded greenery, with the sound of running water close by. The setting changes as the path enters the wetter forest, and the thick growth gives the walk a cool, sheltered feel.

Your guide adds a useful layer to the scenery by pointing out native herbs and medicinal plants. You learn about their healing properties and the old remedies connected with Madeira’s plant life. That makes the walk more than a photo stop. You begin to look at the vegetation with a reason to pay attention.

I especially like this feature for anyone who enjoys nature but does not know the names or uses of what they see. A forest guide can point out details you would otherwise pass without noticing. The plant information also gives the outing a local character that a simple scenic transfer cannot provide.

The quality of this part depends partly on the guide and the language you choose. Tours are offered in Spanish, English, French, German, and Portuguese. Sarah has led the route in German and was praised for explaining things clearly. You should check the language arrangement when booking if this matters to you.

Do not expect a formal botany lesson. The available information points to practical explanations about herbs, medicinal uses, and traditional remedies rather than a long scientific lecture. That is probably the right balance for a walking day, since you still have the forest, water, and views to enjoy.

Passing through the waterfalls to Ribeiro Bonito

The waterfall section gives this walk its strongest visual moment. The trail passes under or behind falling water, and one outing went through a waterfall twice. You may get a spray of water on your jacket, shoes, or camera, so dress for the conditions instead of treating this as a dry sightseeing walk.

Bring a light rain jacket, even if the forecast seems kind. This is not just about Madeira’s changeable weather. The waterfall itself can soak you, and a hood keeps the walk more comfortable. Waterproof protection for your phone is also sensible, though that specific item is not listed among the required supplies.

The route leads to Ribeiro Bonito, a quiet forest setting used as a turning point and rest stop. One outing included about 30 minutes there. You can use that pause to take photographs, eat your lunch, and enjoy the stillness before heading back.

This is the part that gives the tour its paradise on earth feeling without requiring a difficult summit climb. The appeal is not a grand viewpoint over the whole island. It is the enclosed, peaceful character of the forest, water, and rock around the end of the levada.

You should bring lunch because it is not included. A packed meal is the practical choice, along with enough water for the day. The tour lists water and suitable footwear among the things to bring, and I would take that advice seriously.

The return walk, group pace, and photo stops

The return follows the same route, which has two advantages. You see the forest from a new direction, and you do not need to learn a second path while tired. The route also becomes easier underfoot in the sense that the reported outing was gently downhill on the way back.

The pace can vary. On one smaller outing, the group had nine people, and the guide explained the route on the way out. At Ribeiro Bonito, the group had a 30-minute pause, then people could walk back at their own pace while Sarah followed at the end.

That arrangement is excellent for photography and for anyone who prefers not to walk shoulder to shoulder. It lets you stop briefly without making the whole group wait. However, you should not assume every departure will feel this relaxed.

A larger group can create a different experience. One account describes people walking in single file and having little chance to stop for photos because the guide did not want the whole group to halt. The return felt better because the pace opened up and people could spread out.

This is a fair reminder that group size matters on a levada trail. Small groups make it easier to hear plant explanations, ask questions, and pause for pictures. Larger groups may keep the day organized but can feel more like a moving line. The exact number is not guaranteed, so book this for the route and setting first, not on the assumption of a private-style walk.

What the $50 price includes

At $50 per person, this walk offers reasonable value if you want transport and a guide for a full day in the São Jorge area. Taxes and fuel surcharges are included, and pickup is available from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço where access permits.

The price does not include lunch. That is not a major problem, but it means you should plan ahead rather than expect a café meal as part of the outing. Bring food, water, and a small bag that is comfortable to carry.

The main value comes from the combination of logistics and interpretation. You do not need to arrange your own route to São Jorge, and you get explanations about the levada, plants, and traditional remedies. For a visitor staying in Funchal, that can be easier than piecing together transport and finding the trail alone.

The value is weaker if you only want a very short stroll or dislike organized departures. Eight hours is a large block of your Madeira schedule, and the ride, group pace, and set timing reduce your freedom compared with going independently.

I would compare this with the cost and effort of arranging your own transport, but I would not book it simply because the price is low. The tour makes the most sense if you want a guided nature day, need pickup, or prefer having the route handled for you.

Pickup details from Funchal, Caniço, and Câmara de Lobos

Pickup is available from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço, but not every hotel has room for a vehicle to stop easily. If your accommodation has difficult access or parking, the operator sends an alternative meeting point nearby.

If you are staying in the Lido area, plan to meet at the operator’s office at Monumental Lido rather than waiting at your hotel. This is an important detail because it changes the start of your morning.

Check your email, SMS, or WhatsApp the day before. The staff sends pickup messages or reminders, and those instructions are more useful than relying on a general departure time. The start time varies by availability, so confirm it when you reserve.

Pickup is a practical benefit, but it also means your day begins on the operator’s timetable. Give yourself enough time to reach the meeting point without rushing. A late start at the pickup point could affect the whole group.

Shoes, clothing, and what to pack

The supplied advice lists comfortable shoes, hiking shoes, sports shoes, and water. I would choose proper hiking shoes with a secure sole, especially because the waterfall sections can be wet.

A rain jacket is the most important extra tip. The trail passes through or behind falling water, and the forest can feel damp even when conditions are pleasant in town. If you carry a camera or phone, use a waterproof pouch or another simple way to protect it.

Pack:

• Water
• Lunch
• Hiking or sturdy sports shoes
• A rain jacket
• A small bag for personal items
• Protection for your phone or camera

You do not need to overpack. The route is described as gentle rather than technical, so bulky mountain gear would be unnecessary. The better approach is comfortable footwear, light waterproof clothing, and enough food for the eight-hour day.

Who will enjoy this São Jorge walk most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see Madeira’s forest without taking on a demanding mountain route. It suits walkers who enjoy a steady pace, running water, plant life, and the unusual thrill of passing behind a waterfall.

It is also a good fit if you want information along the way. The guide can explain native herbs, medicinal plants, and old remedies, while also helping you understand the levada system. The multilingual format makes it easier to find a tour in Spanish, English, French, German, or Portuguese.

You should think twice if heights make narrow paths stressful. The route is not described as a hard hike, but some sections may still feel exposed. You should also consider the distance, since roughly 10.5 kilometers takes commitment even when the trail is mostly flat.

This may not suit you if you want a quiet private walk with unlimited photo stops. The group can be pleasantly small, but it can also be larger and more tightly paced. The route remains the same, but the feel of the day changes.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 66 reviews, with particular praise for the beauty of the forest, the easy trail, punctual pickup, and helpful guides. I would put the strongest weight on the route itself and the waterfall passage, since those are the features that remain valuable even if the group is not ideal.

Should you book the Levada do Rei tour?

Book this São Jorge Valleys levada walk if you want an accessible full-day outing with rainforest, running water, native plant information, and a memorable passage behind a waterfall. The $50 cost is fair when pickup, guiding, taxes, and fuel surcharges are useful to you.

Bring lunch, water, sturdy shoes, and a rain jacket. Be ready for about 10.5 kilometers, a few spots that may bother anyone with heights, and a group pace that can vary.

I would choose it for a first guided look at Madeira’s northern forest, especially if you are staying in Funchal and do not want to arrange the transport yourself. I would skip it only if you need a private pace, dislike wet trails, or want a short and completely flat stroll.

FAQ

How long does the São Jorge Valleys levada walk last?

The activity lasts eight hours, including the organized day from pickup through the return.

What trail does the tour follow?

The walk follows Levada do Rei, also known as PR18, through the São Jorge valleys and Madeira’s rainforest.

How far is the walk?

One detailed outing covered about 10.5 kilometers in total. The walk was gently uphill on the way out and gently downhill on the return.

Does the route pass behind a waterfall?

Yes. The route passes through or behind a waterfall, and one outing went through a waterfall twice.

Does the tour reach Ribeiro Bonito?

Yes. Ribeiro Bonito is the forest destination at the end of the walk, and one outing included a 30-minute break there.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring your own food.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable hiking or sports shoes, water, and a rain jacket. Lunch is also needed because it is not provided.

What languages are available?

The live guide may provide the tour in Spanish, English, French, German, or Portuguese.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected hotels in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, and Caniço where access and parking allow. An alternative nearby meeting point may be provided when a hotel is difficult to reach.

Where do Lido-area hotels meet the tour?

People staying in the Lido area are asked to meet at the operator’s office at Monumental Lido.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I have to pay when I reserve?

The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying anything today.