The Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova waterfall hike are two of Madeira’s lesser-known levada walks but are a delightful hiking experience that showcases the island’s natural beauty away from the more crowded tourist spots.
Imagine green valleys dotted with waterfalls. Two levada’s on top of one another. And as absolute highlight a hidden waterfall in a lush canyon! Oh, and you can also walk behind this beautiful waterfall in Madeira! My guess is that you’re already convinced that this is one of the absolute best hikes in Madeira.
So let’s go! In this guide I will tell you everything that you need to know to have an epic experience on the trail!
Levada do Moinho – Levada Nova Waterfall Hiking Statistics
Hiking Distance – 9km
Average Time – 3 hours
Inclination – There’s only 150 meters of incline. If you start at the Levada do Moinho this will be some stairs halfway the trail. If you start with the higher located Levada Nova you’ll have to climb up the streets of the local village.
Difficulty – Easy
Route Type – Loop trail
Parking Lot – Igreja da Lombada da Ponta do Sol. The hike starts behind the church and this way you’ll first start with the Levada do Moinho and end with the Levada Nova.
How to reach the Levada do Moinho
Reaching the Levada do Moinho involves a few straightforward steps. Here’s how to get to the starting point of this beautiful levada walk:
By Car
Driving is the most convenient way to access the trailhead of Levada do Moinho:
- From Funchal – Take the VR1 highway west towards Ribeira Brava. Continue on the VE3 until you reach Ponta do Sol. From Ponta do Sol, head north on the ER209 towards Lombada da Ponta do Sol. Follow local signs to the starting point of the levada walk. The drive from Funchal takes about 30-40 minutes.
- Parking – Igreja da Lombada da Ponta do Sol. The hike starts behind the church and this way you’ll first start with the Levada do Moinho and end with the Levada Nova.
🚗 You can grab your rental car from SunnyCars for the best experience. The biggest tip I can give you is to choose an automatic cause the roads on Madeira can be very steep!
By Public Transport
Public transport options are available but less direct:
- Bus Services – Buses run from Funchal to Ponta do Sol. From there, you might need to take a taxi to the trailhead in Lombada da Ponta do Sol, as the bus services do not frequently run into the smaller villages.
- Bus Companies – Check schedules from companies like Horários do Funchal, which operate routes to and from Ponta do Sol.
Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova Waterfall Hike – A step by step guide
This hiking trail is made up of two different levada’s that are connected to each other by a staircase. The Levada do Moinho starts behind the church where you can park your car. This is a rather old levada that will take you through the gorge and along some of the most breathtaking landscapes that Madeira has to offer.
For the first kilometers of the trail you’ll be walking along side the cliffs but not to worry. There are hand railings in place so it’s never scary walking along the edges. On the Levada do Moinho you’ll also come across a couple of more technical features. Nothing too tricky but still important to take notice that you’re not just walking on a dirt road.
In some parts there’s no railing and you’ll also have to go behind a waterfall and across some step stones.
During our visit it had rained a lot the previous days, there was even a day where we had to stay inside cause it was storming so hard. This also caused the levada to overflow in some parts, meaning you had to wade through the water at some parts to continue hiking.
💡 TIP – Make sure to wear waterproof hiking boots and have a spare pair of shoes and socks in the car with you just in case.
After a couple of kilometers you’ll reach the staircase that takes you up to Levada Nova. When we visited it was not possible to continue along in the gorge and the trail was closed. So simply up the stairs we went!
The Levada Nova is a rather new levada in Madeira and this is also where you’ll encounter the main sight of the Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova waterfall hike. About halfway through the hike you’ll encounter the star attraction! A waterfall hidden within a gorge that you can also walk behind.
No need to worry, you won’t get drenched when you walk behind it! The best viewpoint of the waterfall is if you continue along the trail right before you enter the cave. In my personal opinion this is definitely one of the most beautiful and unique places in Madeira! The tunnel is about 200 meters long.
💡 TIP – For the cave it’s best to have a strong flashlight with you. You can either use the one on your phone or wear a headlamp. Do know that the ground can be wet and if you’re on the taller side make sure to watch your head so you don’t bump against the rock ceiling.
After exiting the Levada Nova tunnel you’ll continue along the cliffs. While this levada may be newer there are less safety railings here compared to the Levada do Moinho. So watch where you’re going!
But the views are out of this world! You’ll have a top view over the Levada do Moinho and if you look closely you’ll notice that the valley below is dotted with several waterfalls. We were even so lucky to spot a rainbow due to all of the spray.
Now all that’s left to do is simply walk back to the village, including a magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean.
The best time to hike the Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova Waterfall Hike
Madeira is an incredible year round destination but if hiking its trails is your main goal then Spring is the absolute best time to go. The weather is already pleasant with temperatures rising up to 22°C and the levada’s will be at their most stunning.
Why so? Well Spring comes right after Madeira’s rainy season during the Winter months. This means that the waterfalls will be very full and impressive after the rainfall, offering dramatic views. Fall is also an ideal time for hiking in Madeira but do know that after the dry months in the Summer the waterfalls can be reduced to a small drizzle.
Where to stay on Madeira
I chose Funchal as a base the first time because of its proximity to the airport. I had a wonderful stay at Sé Boutique Hotel and you can read my full hotel review here. There is a parking lot located only 5 minutes walking from the hotel (parking is €7/day if you validate your card at the hotel reception).
Now for our second trip to Madeira I wanted to stay on the other side of the island so we stayed close to Santana at Quinta das Hortênsias.
If you have any questions about Madeira or if you want to share your experience, comment below!
More information on Madeira
Pico Do Arieiro To Pico Ruivo Hike – PR1 On Madeira
The 14 Most Epic Hikes in Madeira (Including Map + Tips)
The 8 Most Beautiful Waterfalls In Madeira (Map Included)
Achada do Teixeira To Pico Ruivo Hike – PR1.2 On Madeira
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The Spectacular Ponta de São Lourenço Hike – PR8 In Madeira
The Perfect 7 Days Madeira Travel Itinerary
19 Incredible Viewpoints In Madeira You Have To See
The 14 Best Places To Stay In Madeira
Best Tips For Driving And Renting A Car On Madeira
Where to stay on Madeira – Sé Boutique Hotel
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Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
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