Levada do Rei, waymarked PR18, is a hiking trail on the island of Madeira, Portugal. It follows a levada — one of the island's irrigation channels — through dense laurel forest to a group of waterfalls at its far end, passing through two of them on the way. The walking is easy and almost flat, with no steep climbs, and the path is well marked throughout. Mud and the soaking at the waterfall crossings are the two things to prepare for.
Levada do Rei (PR18)
Local name: PR18 Levada do Rei
Towards the end the trail goes straight under a waterfall — there is no dry way past it, rain or no rain.
- Entrance
- Paid trail — a ticket is required, and rangers check them at the trailhead.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair-accessible parking and no wheelchair-accessible entrance.
- Parking
- Free car park about 35 m from the trailhead; a second free area some 80 m away is reserved for customers of the business it belongs to.
- Difficulty
- Easy. Mostly flat with no steep sections, well marked, about 3h30 there and back; muddy underfoot and single-file in places.
- Transport
- Nearest bus stop: Reta da Felpa-RIB Funda, about 800 m from the trailhead.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours.
What makes it special
The levada does the navigating: a narrow water channel cut into the hillside, with the path running alongside it the whole way. Levada do Rei climbs almost nothing — flat walking, no steep pitches, well waymarked, and manageable whatever your fitness. The reward sits at the far end, where several waterfalls gather in one place and the trail passes straight under one of them. Along the way the route threads through dense laurel forest, dark and dripping, and a few passages narrow to single file, so you stand aside while walkers come the other way. Mud is part of the deal, not a bad-weather exception.
Good to know
- Waterproofs: the path goes through two strong waterfalls — you come out wet on dry days too. Bring a cover for your rucksack.
- No toilets on the trail. A restaurant near the start lets walkers use theirs for a fee, or free if you buy something.
- Mud, everywhere. Long stretches stay churned up; hiking shoes with grip earn their place.
- Layers. The temperature shifts quickly under the forest canopy, and standing about wet is cold.
- Tickets get checked: a ranger works the trailhead in the morning, so carry yours to hand. Dogs are allowed.
Getting there
Most walkers arrive by car, and the approach is short enough to be no approach at all: the nearest car park sits about 35 metres from the trailhead, so you shut the boot and start walking. An information board carrying the PR18 marker stands close to the point where the levada channel begins, and the path follows the channel from there. Coming by bus adds a stretch of road walking at the start of the day and again at the end of it.
Best time to visit
Better: a quiet day, with the whole walk still ahead of you when you set off. Avoid: the busy hours, when the single-file sections back up and much of the walking turns into waiting for other people to pass.
Crowds, not light, decide how this one feels. The canopy keeps the trail shaded and even-toned through the day, so nothing is lost by timing; what changes is whether you have the forest to yourself or spend the narrow stretches pressed against the hillside.
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Levada do Rei (PR18) on the map
Mud covers long stretches of the path and the rock is slick where the trail passes under the waterfalls; walk it in hiking boots with grip. Several sections are narrow enough that only one person fits, with the hillside on one side and a drop to the channel bed on the other — let people pass rather than squeezing by.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a ticket for PR18?
Yes. Levada do Rei is a paid trail and a ticket is required to walk it.How long does the walk take?
Around 3h30 there and back. The route is mostly flat with no steep climbs, but the narrow passing points add waiting time.Will I get wet?
Yes. The trail passes through two strong waterfalls, and walkers come out wet even when it is not raining. A waterproof jacket and a cover for your rucksack are worth packing.Are there toilets at the trail?
No. A restaurant near the start lets walkers use theirs for a small charge, or free if you buy something.Is it suitable for children and older walkers?
The trail is well marked, almost flat and free of steep sections, which makes it workable for a wide range of ages and fitness. The mud and the narrow stretches are the limiting factor, not the gradient.