Levada da Portela is a walking route in the mountains of Madeira, Portugal. It follows an irrigation channel through laurel forest, crossing small streams and passing through tunnels cut into the rock. The path stays level because the channel does, and the walking is easy. It forms part of PR10, the marked route between Ribeiro Frio and Portela. The forest, the water and the tunnels are the substance of the walk rather than any single viewpoint.
Levada da Portela
The path has no gradient of its own: it follows a working irrigation channel, and the channel is built to stay level.
- Parking
- No car park at the levada itself. The nearest parking is about 1.3 km away, with a second about 1.9 km away.
- Difficulty
- Level path beside the water channel, easy walking. Tunnels and small stream crossings along the way.
- Transport
- The nearest bus stop is about 500 m from the levada.
What makes it special
The path never leaves the water. A levada is an irrigation channel, and this one runs along the mountainside with a walking track beside it. The forest is laurisilva: laurel and tree heath, moss on the trunks, ferns wherever the ground stays wet. Small streams cross the route, and the channel passes through tunnels cut into the rock. Shade is close to constant, and the sun reaches the water in patches. The levada forms part of PR10, the marked route between Ribeiro Frio and Portela, so the walking is level from end to end.
Good to know
- No toilets, no water: There are no toilets and nowhere to fill a bottle near the levada. Carry your own water.
- Tunnels: The route passes through tunnels cut into the rock. Bring a torch.
- Wet underfoot: Water runs beside the path the whole way and the forest holds the damp. Wear shoes with grip.
- Information board: There is an information board at the point where the path meets the levada.
Getting there
Nothing drives up to the levada itself. Drivers leave the car at one of two car parks off the route and finish the approach on foot. An information board stands where the path meets the water channel; aim for that. From there the channel does the navigating — you follow the water and cannot lose the line.
Best time to visit
Better: early in the day, while the ridge is still clear of cloud.
Avoid: wet weather — in cloud there is nothing to see from the levada, and the path holds water long after the rain has stopped.
The forest keeps most of the walk in shade, so heat is rarely the problem here. Visibility is.
Sun & daylight
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Frequently asked questions
Is Levada da Portela a hard walk?
No. The path runs level beside the water channel and the walking is easy. Tunnels and small stream crossings are the only interruptions.Are there toilets or drinking water on the route?
No. There are no toilets and no drinking water near the levada. Bring your own.Does the path go through tunnels?
Yes. The channel passes through tunnels cut into the rock, and so does the path. Carry a torch.Which marked trail does the levada belong to?
It forms part of PR10, the waymarked route between Ribeiro Frio and Portela.