Madeira Lakes – Levada do Alecrim

Madeira’s Alecrim Levada hike takes you from Lagoa do Vento’s rock pools and waterfalls into forest paths and old water channels on the western plateau. The route changes underfoot, from level levada walking to mountain gradients, roots, steps, and rougher sections. It is a proper day outdoors, not a gentle stroll.

I like the mix of scenery and history here. You get waterfalls carved through rock over immense stretches of time, then walk beside man-made channels that still show how Madeira moves water around its steep island. I also like the small-group limit of 15, since a guide can keep an eye on the group when the trail turns uneven.

The main caution is physical effort and timing. This is rated for moderate fitness, and one account describes many steps, mostly downhill, while another reports a 30-minute late pickup that led to a rushed first half. Confirm your pickup details, bring water and food, and allow enough energy for a 6 to 7 hour outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Lagoa do Vento brings waterfalls and natural rock pools: The first stop reaches a valley shaped by flowing water, with cascades and pools near the base of the route.
• Alecrim is more than a forest walk: You follow an old levada, a practical water channel that helped carry water across Madeira.
• The trail changes often: Expect flat sections beside the levada, mountain gradients, exposed roots, forest paths, and scrambling on some parts.
• Transport begins at 8:30 a.m.: Pickup is offered from the Monumental Experience on Estrada Monumental in Funchal, with the activity ending back there.
• A guide adds real value: Live commentary and a group capped at 15 make it easier to understand the water system and manage the rougher trail sections.
• Pack your own supplies: Bottled water and lunch are not included, and you need moderate physical fitness.

Why this Madeira hike feels different

Many Madeira walks follow one clear idea: a levada, a viewpoint, or a waterfall. This one links several kinds of walking in a single day. You start with the drama of Lagoa do Vento, continue through the valley, and finish by following the Alecrim Levada and the older waterworks of western Madeira.

That variety is the appeal. You are not simply walking beside a narrow channel for hours. The route includes forest trekking over roots, flatter levada sections, and steeper mountain tracks. In places, the forest has nearly swallowed the path, and the walk reaches what is described as the oldest levada on the west side of the island.

The setting lies within a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. That status matters here because the value is not just one waterfall or one viewpoint. The walk passes through a larger protected area where water, highland vegetation, rock, and human engineering all fit together.

I would choose this outing if you want a day that feels active and outdoorsy, with enough explanation to give the scenery context. I would not choose it if you want a polished path with little climbing or a short photo stop followed by a comfortable bus ride.

Lagoa do Vento and the first waterfalls

The first stop is Lagoa do Vento, a lake or pool area in a valley below the Paúl da Serra plateau. Water has cut into the rock over very long periods, creating pools, waterfalls, and smaller cascades. The attraction is the way the whole valley shows the force of moving water, not just one isolated fall.

The route toward the water gives you an early sense of the day’s demands. The ground shifts from forest paths to more uneven mountain tracks, with roots and gradients underfoot. There can also be scrambling as you work your way toward the older levada, so good shoes and steady footing matter.

This part of the walk is likely to be the most physically varied. A flat levada section lets you settle into a rhythm, but the mountain tracks ask more of your legs. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes at this first stop, though the full approach and wider hike continue into the longer Alecrim section.

The free admission is useful, but it does not mean the stop is a quick roadside lookout. You are paying for the transport, guide, organization, and walking day rather than a separate ticket to a formal attraction. The scenery comes from the route itself.

Following the Alecrim Levada for four hours

The Alecrim section takes about four hours and forms the heart of the outing. Here you walk through the valley of the Paúl da Serra plateau, passing lagoons, rock formations, waterfalls, and cascades shaped by water over thousands of years.

A levada is a man-made channel built to carry water across Madeira. Walking beside one lets you see a practical side of the island that is easy to miss from a car or viewpoint. These channels helped move water to different parts of Madeira, and the path beside them often offers a relatively level way through steep country.

Do not assume the whole four hours will be flat. The route moves between the plain beside the levada and rising or descending mountain tracks. Forest growth has covered parts of the path, and some sections are described as nearly obliterated by vegetation. That makes the guide more useful than a simple route escort, especially when the trail becomes less obvious.

You may also notice how quickly the mood changes. One moment you are walking along a man-made channel with a steady line underfoot. The next, you are among roots, slopes, and rock formations shaped by natural water flow. This back-and-forth between engineering and wild terrain gives the walk its character.

Forest, flora, fauna, and the old western levada

The route passes through Madeira’s high forest, where tall heather trees are a notable part of the scenery. Keep your eyes open for local flora and fauna, though no specific animals are promised. The value is in looking closely rather than expecting a wildlife show.

The plant life can also make route-finding harder. Forest paths may be partly hidden, and roots cross the walking line. The same growth that makes the setting feel remote can slow the group, especially after a late start. One account describes a 30-minute pickup delay followed by a faster-than-ideal first half, so punctual transport is more than a minor convenience on this particular day.

The walk reaches the oldest levada on the western side of the island. That detail gives the route a strong sense of place. You are not only seeing Madeira’s water system as a scenic backdrop. You are moving through a working idea that shaped where people could live, farm, and use water on a steep volcanic island.

Live commentary is included. I would use the guide’s explanations to connect the channels, plateau, forest, and waterfalls. A good guide can also help you judge rough sections and keep the group together, which matters more here than it would on a broad, clearly marked city walk.

How difficult is the walking?

The official fitness level is moderate. That is a useful warning, but it is still a broad label. The route includes flat levada walking, mountain gradients, roots, steps, and some scrambling. One German-language account specifically notes many stairs, almost all downhill, so your knees and balance may matter as much as your general stamina.

You do not need to be an expert mountaineer based on the information provided, but you should be comfortable walking for most of a day on changing ground. If you regularly manage uneven paths and long walks, the route should be a reasonable target. If you prefer smooth paving, minimal height change, or frequent indoor breaks, choose a gentler outing.

Wear shoes with secure grip. Bring water even though transport and guiding are included, because bottled water is not. Pack lunch as well. The tour lasts around 6 to 7 hours, and no meal is supplied.

Weather matters in Madeira’s high country. Rain can make roots, rocks, and steps more difficult, and the activity requires good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent onto a poor trail in unsafe conditions, though it can affect your plans.

Small-group guiding and the pickup question

The group can include up to 15 people. That is small enough for a guide to provide more direct attention than a large coach excursion, while still keeping the price at a moderate level. The guide can give live commentary, help with the less obvious path, and monitor the group on steeper sections.

Guide Emilke received especially strong praise for the quality of the guiding. The supplied feedback also describes the wider Madeira Happy Tours team as helpful when plans changed, including a last-minute booking after a rental car cancellation. Those are useful signs of flexibility, but they do not remove the need to check your meeting details.

The stated start point is Monumental Experience, Estrada Monumental 284, in São Martinho, Funchal. The start time is 8:30 a.m., and the walk ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, and the activity is near public transport.

There is one serious service warning: an account describes a missed pickup, unanswered phone calls, and a later refund. Another account describes a 30-minute delay. These incidents may not represent a normal day, but they are important enough to plan around. Arrive early, keep your confirmation handy, and make sure you know the correct contact number and pickup arrangement before the morning of the walk.

Is $52.09 a fair price?

At $52.09 per person, the tour is priced as a practical way to reach a remote Madeira walking area without hiring a car. You get round-trip transport from central Funchal, live commentary, insurance, and a full day of guided walking. For visitors who do not want to drive mountain roads or organize a route alone, that combination offers solid value.

The price does not cover lunch or bottled water, so add those costs when planning your day. There is no separate admission charge for the two walking stops, which keeps the package simple.

The value depends on how much you want guidance. An experienced independent hiker may prefer to arrange transport and walk alone. But the Alecrim route includes changing terrain and stretches where the forest can obscure the path. For many visitors, a guide and transport are worth paying for, especially when the outing is limited to 15 people.

I see this as a better deal for an active visitor staying in Funchal than for someone already renting a car and seeking only a short walk. The convenience is the main saving, not a luxury vehicle or a meal package.

Who should choose this experience?

You are a good match if you want:

• A full day in Madeira’s mountain forests
• Waterfalls, pools, lagoons, and rock formations
• A walk that combines natural scenery with the island’s levada system
• Guide commentary instead of navigating every section yourself
• Round-trip transport from a central Funchal meeting point
• A moderate challenge with varied ground

I would be cautious if you have difficulty with stairs, downhill walking, roots, or long periods outdoors. The route is not described as accessible, and the information only confirms that service animals are allowed. If you need a specific accessibility arrangement, ask the provider before booking.

The outing also suits people who want more than a standard viewpoint tour. You spend time moving through the valley and forest, so the experience comes from the walk itself. The reward is a closer look at how Madeira’s water and terrain fit together.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check the weather and your wider plans early.

The activity requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or refund.

Confirmation is provided at booking. I would still verify the meeting point, pickup timing, and phone contact before setting out. Since one missed pickup caused a full day to be lost, this is one of the rare tours where a quick confirmation check is sensible rather than fussy.

Pack water, lunch, weather protection, and shoes suited to uneven ground. Keep your load light, since you will carry it through roots, slopes, steps, and levada paths for much of the day.

Should you book the Alecrim Levada hike?

Book it if you want a genuine walking day with waterfalls, old water channels, forest, and a moderate physical challenge. The route’s best feature is its variety: Lagoa do Vento supplies the dramatic water, while the Alecrim Levada explains how Madeira’s people have worked with that water for generations.

The strongest reasons to go are the small group, the included transport, and the chance to see both natural and human-made features in one protected setting. Guide Emilke’s praised approach adds confidence for anyone who prefers company and explanation on a rougher route.

Think twice if you need a perfectly reliable pickup record, dislike downhill steps, or want a relaxed half-day outing. For everyone else, $52.09 is a reasonable price for a guided 6 to 7 hour excursion from Funchal, provided you arrive prepared and confirm the morning arrangements.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Monumental Experience, Estrada Monumental 284, São Martinho, Funchal, Portugal.

What time does the hike begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience takes approximately 6 to 7 hours.

What places do you visit?

The route visits Lagoa do Vento and the Alecrim Levada in the Paúl da Serra plateau area.

Is transport included?

Round-trip transfers from central Funchal meeting points are offered.

Is lunch included?

No. Bottled water and lunch are not included, so you should bring both.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum group size cancels the activity, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.