A relaxing trail in the thick of the forest, Levada do Moinho is the perfect walk for those looking for a peaceful walk. Read our detailed guide to know everything there is to know to plan your day near Ponta do Sol, close to the island’s capital, Funchal.
This scenic levada will take you through the greenery, tunnels, and water. Discover Levada do Moinho with us!
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What is Levada do Moinho
Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova are two adjacent trails, which go in parallel on the same versant. This hike is located near Ponta do Sol, in a small town called Lombada do Ponta do Sol, on the southern side of the island.
Levada do Moinho is the lower levada of the two paths. The trail is about 4.3km long and it offers beautiful views of the valley for its entire length.
The elevation difference isn’t very important (less than 160m), and the trail is overall an easy one. It can be done as a loop, combining it with levada Nova. In fact, there are stairs at the end of Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova that connect the two trails.
🥾 LEVADA DO MOINHO – HIKE DETAILS:
Difficulty: easy
Length: 4.0km one way (8.3km in a loop combined with Levada Nova)
Duration: 1.5h (3h total)
Elevation difference: 160m
What is Levada Nova
Levada Nova is located on the upper level. Its starting point is also slightly higher than the one of Levada do Moinho. The levada itself is about 3.4km long and the elevation difference is slightly short of 200m.
The trail is quite easy, however, there is a relatively long tunnel you’ll have to cross, which makes Levada Nova moderately more challenging than Levada do Moinho.
The main highlight of Levada Nova is its main waterfall, located almost at the end of the trail (but before the stairs!).
🥾 LEVADA NOVA – HIKE DETAILS:
Difficulty: easy
Length: 3.4km one way (8.3km in a loop combined with Levada Nova)
Duration: 1.5h (3h total)
Elevation difference: 200m
What hiking options are there
Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova can be visited in a loop. You can start with the one you prefer as there isn’t really any major difference. We opted to start with Levada do Moinho as there is parking next to the starting point. The starting point of Levada Nova, on the other hand, is on the side of the road and there isn’t parking nearby.
Technically you could also backtrack one of the trails, but we don’t see the reason why you should do so. Just go with the loop option and enjoy the beauty of this Madeira valley.
Take Levada do Moinho, climb the stairs at the end, and get back on Levada Nova.
How to get to Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova
BY CAR: Levada do Moinho is located in Lombada, a tiny municipality next to the more popular town of Ponta do Sol. You can easily reach it by car, by taking some steep roads from Ponta do Sol.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: You can easily get to Lombada by bus from Funchal. The best options are bus n° 4 and bus n°107. Also, bus n°146 and bus n°8 serve this town. Get out at the Lombada stop, and check out the map below for the exact location of the hike starting point. The ticket cost is €4 EUR ($4.30 USD).
Our experience at Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova
We opted to hike these levadas in a loop, starting at Levada do Moinho. The beginning of the trail is somewhat hidden behind the town’s church, Igreja da Lombada da Ponta do Sol. Notwithstanding this, it’s hard to miss it because right near the start of the narrow path, is a sign indicating the Levada.
Get started on the hike by taking the stairs behind the church.
Levada do Moinho is a winding trail along the right side of the valley. The path is in the midst of the island’s lush vegetation by the cliff and follows the levada channel. The view, while continuously changing throughout the hike, is present for its entirety.
The trail of Levada do Moinho is often narrow and there are a few exposed areas. But the good thing is that it’s always protected by a wire fence. The hike is pretty straightforward, there are no crossroads or different paths to take.
What is a Levada? Levadas are walking trails in the lush vegetation of Madeira. Most times, the trails are flat and follow a water channel, so you can almost always hear the sound of calm trickling water. These channels were built as a means to transport water from one side of the island to the other in order to provide it with the water necessary for agriculture. The trails we can explore today were used for maintenance purposes.
As of 2022, some parts of the trail collapsed and haven’t been restored yet. This happens relatively frequently in Madeira as some parts of the island can experience small landslides during the rainy season in winter.
As the trail continues, you’ll pass by a small waterfall. Here, you’ll need to cross a concrete structure that was made to capture the water of this stream and deviate it into the levada.
At the time we visited the Levada do Moinho, there was a sign indicating the trail was closed from this point onward. On the right, you can see the stairs leading up. This is the staircase that connects Levada do Moinho with Levada Nova, which is right above.
The elevation difference isn’t very significant and it takes less than 5 minutes to reach Levada Nova.
If the path is not closed, you can continue on this trail until you reach a waterfall at the very end of the Levada do Moinho. To continue, you’ll then need to cross the river and make your way up to reach Levada Nova. There are no stairs here but the slope is doable.
After reaching Levada Nova, you can start heading back in the direction of Lombada. The trail soon becomes narrow because the levada was carved out on the side of the mountain. The main waterfall of Levada Nova is just behind the corner.
Once you reach this point, you’ll see the main waterfall of the levada. The trail takes you behind the waterfall which is a nice perk. When you look at it, it’s as if the side of the mountain has been sliced horizontally and the water rushing is defying its path by falling here, splattering onto the trail of the levada and rushing down into the basin.
It was super refreshing to feel the water sprinkles on your skin as you walk through.
As soon as you leave the waterfall, the trail goes through a tunnel. The gallery is fairly long (more than 200m!) and it’s pitch dark inside. Bring a headlight or make sure your phone is fully charged before you go.
Unlike other tunnels in Madeira, the one of Levada Nova is quite high and you can easily walk inside of it.
After emerging from the tunnel, Levada Nova meanders through Madeira’s lush forest for several kilometers. Following the mountainside, the trail, like many others in the region, includes narrow stretches with open slopes.
While some sections have safety ropes, others don’t. This could pose a challenge if you experience vertigo or have a fear of heights.
After about 3 hours from the start, we got to the end of the levada trail.
Levada Nova ends on a tarmac road, from which you’ll have to go downward in the direction of the church for about 800m. You can already see the church from the end of Levada Nova, so getting back to the parking area is a no-brainer.
Best time to visit Levada do Moinho
You can visit Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova any time of the year. Since it’s a very easy trail, we’d recommend saving it for when you feel tired and want to do a relaxing walk while still seeing something beautiful.
There is no right time of day to visit this levada, but since some areas are more exposed to the sun than others, you may want to avoid doing it during peak hours.
Entrance fee
There is no entrance fee at levada do moinho. Every trail in Madeira is free, which makes the island very affordable when it comes to attractions. Parking is also free of charge.
What to pack for Levada do Moinho
Our tips for Levada do Moinho
- Carry a headlight for the tunnel, and make sure it’s fully charged.
- Bring a raincoat with you, you never know when the weather is going to change.
- While they are not strictly necessary here, we’d suggest wearing hiking boots as some parts of the trail can be muddy.
Where to eat near Levada do Moinho
There are several good restaurants and caffès near Lombada if you’re up for a meal after Levada do Moinho. There’s a range from more affordable to a bit fancier.
🎒 ON A BUDGET: The best spot for a quick sandwich in the heart of Ponta do Sol (and near the beach) is The Small House, a brewery with great beer and amazing reviews.
Dos Amigos is a traditional restaurant that you should definitely consider if you’re a fan of authentic local dishes. Pastelaria Pizzaria Sol Doce is another great option very near Levada do Moinho.
You could also check out Santa Catarina, Santa Teresa, Sol Café and Sol Posto, all of which are located on the same road, about 6km from Lombada.
🍴 FINE DINING OPTIONS: Check out Steak & Sun, a proper restaurant with great steaks and several vegetarian options too. 90° Bar | Grill | Restaurant is another solid option when it comes to fine dining.
We want to hear from you!
Did you do the Levada do Moinho trail? What other levada trails have you done and would recommend? Drop us a comment!
I can’t believe you guys didn’t mention the narrow walkways and areas with unprotected sheer drops on the side of Levada Nova.
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Absolutely terrifying. Glad to have made it out alive.
Hey Alex, sorry to hear it was a bit nerve-wracking for you. Our group of five didn’t find it quite as intense, but I totally get that experiences can vary.
Thanks for pointing out those bits. We’ll update our description to include the narrow walkways and exposed areas, and add more pictures of that section. Appreciate your input!