Levada dos Piornais is a walking route beside one of Madeira's irrigation channels, running from Funchal, by way of São Martinho, out into countryside. It is known for the mix along the way: urban views, banana plantations, the sea in the distance and, at the far end, mountains. Within the city the levada crosses roads, passes above Forum Madeira and reaches a football stadium. It is not one of Madeira's classified hiking trails.
Levada dos Piornais
Levada walk running from Funchal through banana plantations into countryside, with sea views.
Levada dos Piornais on the map
- Route length
- 9.5 km · one way
- Entrance
- Free: the trail is outside Madeira's trail fee system.
- Walking time
- 1–2 hours for an easy stroll along part of it; the whole line runs 8–9.5 km each way.
- Difficulty
- Easy. A stroll beside the water channel, with road crossings; the edge is unfenced in places.
- Parking
- Two asphalt car parks, about 40 m and 60 m away.
- Transport
- Bus to the Hotel Panorâmico stops, about 100–115 m away.
- Advance booking
- No booking needed: the trail is outside Madeira's trail booking system.
- Address
- R. da Levada dos Piornais, São Martinho, 9000-267 Funchal, Portugal
What makes it special
Banana plantations line the water channel, the sea sits in the distance and the buildings of Funchal are still in view. That mix is the reason to come. The levada starts inside the city and ends in countryside with mountain views, and the sea stays in sight for most of the way. Animals turn up along the path. You can reach it by city bus, and a local cafe serving coffee and cakes gives the walk a stopping point.
The route
In Funchal, the path follows the water channel past buildings and roads, with the sea in the distance. Banana plantations take over from there, and the walk ends in countryside with mountain views.
Above Forum Madeira, the levada crosses a road, and this is a good place to join it. Head west and you reach another road crossing, with a cafe on the left. Head east and the path carries on to the football stadium.
At the football stadium, walk down and around the ground to catch a bus back. Anywhere else, retrace your steps along the channel.
Good to know
- Length: the line runs 8 to 9.5 km each way, and coming back doubles that, so pick your stretch and your way home first.
- Urban stretches: expect buildings and road crossings as well as banana plantations.
- Coffee: a local cafe along the walk serves coffee and cakes, so the stop is worth planning around.
- Toilets and water: free toilets are about 560 m and free water about 530 m away in a straight line. Bring water for the walk.
- Not classified: IFCN, which manages Madeira's classified trails, gives no official information on this one and takes no responsibility for it.
Getting there
You arrive by bus or car from the city, as the levada runs through the São Martinho side of Funchal. The Hotel Panorâmico bus stops are about 100 m away, and two asphalt car parks about 40 m and 60 m away. The road crossing above Forum Madeira is another place to join the path.
Walking east to the football stadium gives you a bus back: go down and around the ground to find it. With a car, plan to return along the same path.
Best time to visit
Best: a clear, dry day. The sea and mountain views are what you came for, and low cloud takes them away.
Avoid: heavy rain and the midday heat of summer. Wet stone beside a water channel turns slippery, and banana plantations give a walker little shade.
Things to do nearby
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Sun & daylight
Along the route
Similar Places
Levada dos Piornais on the map
Stretches of the path run along the levada wall with an unfenced edge and a drop on one side. Keep children close, watch your footing where the stone is wet, and turn back if a stretch feels too exposed.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Levada dos Piornais take?
An easy stroll along part of it takes 1–2 hours. The whole line runs 8 to 9.5 km each way, and walking back doubles that.Where can you join the levada?
One place is the road crossing above Forum Madeira. From there, west leads to another road crossing with a cafe on the left, and east leads to the football stadium.Can you get back by bus?
Yes, from the football stadium: walk down and around the ground to catch a bus back. Anywhere else, retrace your steps along the channel.Is there anywhere to stop for coffee?
Yes. A cafe stands on the left at a road crossing west of Forum Madeira, and a local cafe along the walk serves coffee and cakes.Is it suitable for children?
The walking is easy, but the edge is unfenced in places, so keep children close.