Levada do Alecrim is another beautiful Levada trail that ends by a waterfall – and you need to add it to your hiking-in-Madeira bucket list asap. This trail is located in the part of Madeira that is called Rabacal which, in our opinion, is one of the most incredible areas to explore.

Rabacal is also the area where one of the most popular hikes of the island is located, Levada das 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall. The trail of Levada do Alecrim, however, isn’t quite as popular and busy as the other hikes in the area which means it will be less crowded. It is just as beautiful though and totally worth exploring.

On this hike, you’ll get the chance to see multiple waterfalls including the famous Risco Waterfall which is one of the highlights of this trail.

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What to expect when hiking Levada do Alecrim

Quick breakdown of your trip:

Before we jump ahead, in case you haven’t heard of a Levada we’ll explain what it is.

A Levada is a man-made irrigation system that is famous on the island of Madeira. You’ll see them all over the island. Lots of the recommended hikes (named with a PR) are Levada trails where you’ll end up walking next to Levadas on the majority of the trail.

Fun fact: There are over 3000 kilometers of Levadas in Madeira!

On this hike, you can expect a lot of dense green rolling hills/mountains surrounding you as you hike in the lushest, most green forest you can imagine. For the majority of the hike, you’ll have the soothing sound of a running Levada next to you. 

As you get further into the forest along the Levada do Alecrim you can expect a few small waterfalls popping out of nowhere, a beautiful waterfall by the Lagoa do Vento, and then, last but not least, Risco waterfall which is one of the iconic waterfalls in the area. 

You’ll probably be surprised by how easy the trail is. Most Levada hikes on the island are quite relaxing and this one is no different. There’s a bit of ascent and descents throughout the hike, especially as you head down to the Risco waterfall, but for the most part, it’s a very relaxing and easy hike.

Practical information about hiking the Levada do Alecrim trail (PR 6.2)

Official trail name: PR 6.2 – Levada do Alecrim – Vereda da Lagoa do Vento
Distance: 8 km return / 4.97 miles return
Elevation: Roughly 604 m / 1981 ft. elevation gain
Type: Loop / lollipop trail
Length: 3.5-4.5 hours total (includes time for a swim and a lunch break)
Difficulty: Moderate (because of the distance)
Rating: 4/5

Click here to see a map of the beginning of the Levada do Alecrim trail.

Here’s a picture of the beginning of the Levada do Alecrim trail:

Starting at PR6 Levada do Alecrim parking lot

Just so there’s no confusion right from the beginning, the Levada do Alecrim trail starts from the same parking lot as Levada das 25 Fontes. The difference is that 25 Fontes follows the road down into the forest whereas to go to Alecrim, you’ll take the trail that veers onto the right shortly after the official trail map.

You’ll see a map at the beginning on the trailheads that explains the area and shows the different hiking trails. There are A LOT of hiking trails in this part of Madeira. Well… There are lots of hiking trails all around the island but specifically in Rabacal, there are quite a few.

As long as you make your way to the right-hand side you’ll see a small trail with a sign that reads “Levada do Alecrim”. Shortly after that point, you’ll see the Levada and you’ll know you’re on the right trail.

Hiking along Levada do Alecrim 

Once you’re on the right trail, the rest of the hike is quite easy to follow! The beginning of this hike is quite relaxing and you have Levada do Alecrim flowing right next to you. Actually, this is one of the biggest Levadas we’ve seen to date. What we’ve come to figure out is that higher in the mountains the Levadas are usually bigger and as they spread out down the island they get smaller and smaller.

Enjoy the relaxing walk next to the Levada! As we mentioned, the first bit of the hike isn’t too dense and you’ll be slightly above the tree line so you’ll be able to see all the mountains and valleys in the distance. 

On a sunny day, you can see everything in the area including the trail that eventually goes down to the Risco Falls viewpoint and Levada das 25 Fontes.

Continue on Alecrim towards the Lagoa Dona Beja waterfall

One of the reasons we were so excited to hike Levada Alecrim was the waterfall that you will find at the end. It comes out of nowhere! It’s totally unexpected so make sure to actually go to the end of Alecrim to find the stunning lagoon, Lagoa da Dona Beja.

Right behind the lagoon is where you’ll see the beautiful waterfall. It does seem like the lagoon and waterfall are hard to get to but if you take your time and find the right rocks to step over you can get there no problem! 

If you’re daring enough you can even go swimming into the little lagoon! We played it on the safe side and took pictures instead since the water felt really cold. We did see a guided tour that came right after us and they all had their swimsuits on and looked like they were going for a swim!

On a sunny day, the Lagoa Dona Beja is also a great spot to have lunch. On the opposite side of the lagoon and the waterfall, you’ll find an opening in the forest where the sun shines onto some big rocks – this is a great spot to have lunch and enjoy the peaceful sound of the running water.

Towards the next waterfall, the famous Risco

What most people don’t know is that the trail system in this part of Madeira is enormous and you don’t always have to take the same trail back. Sometimes people will just hike to the end of Levada Alecrim to see the waterfall and hike back. It’s still a great hike but we recommend going a bit further and turning it into a loop/lollipop trail. 

So as you hike back from Lagoa da Dona Beja (the lagoon) you’ll have the option to turn left and go back the same way you came from, or you can go right shortly after leaving the lagoon and continue the loop trail. There should be a sign. Again, if you want to go this way (which we highly recommend), make sure to go right! This will turn the hike into a loop trail and you’ll have a totally different hike going back to the parking lot. 

After turning right you’ll continue on a similar trail that has small ascents and descents with some nice openings in the trees. Here you’ll be able to take in the views and enjoy the lush mountains all around you.

Eventually, a staircase will appear and you’ll take that down which will lead you to Lagoa do Vento – the upper part of Risco Waterfall! This is the steepest part of the hike.

Relaxing at the upper Risco Waterfall 

Okay, this time Dom was daring enough to try and jump in the water under the waterfall… and it freezing! This was in February though so in the summer months it can definitely be a lot warmer. Hopefully!

The Risco Waterfall is absolutely stunning. It’s another great spot to relax if it’s nice and sunny out. Especially since after this waterfall, there aren’t really any great stops or viewpoints until you’re back at the car. 

Sit back, relax, go for a swim if you’re crazy enough and enjoy Lagoa do Vento! Risco is the biggest waterfall on the Island and you’ll actually have lower Risco right behind you. You will only be able to see the upper part, though.

Back to the Levada do Alecrim parking lot

Once you’ve relaxed enough and maybe gone swimming you can head back up the stairs and continue the last section of the trail. 

You’ll have just under 3 km left and the trail back is slightly uphill but there are some great views on the way back. There are a few viewpoints where you will get the chance to see upper and lower Risco which is incredible.

Tip: For an even better view of the full waterfall, you can do the Levada das 25 Fontes hike.

After seeing Risco, there isn’t much more to see on the way back. After a while on the trail, you’ll end up connecting with the paved road you started on – but further down it – and you’ll hike up it until you reach the parking lot where you started.

By the end of the trail, you’ll see Levada do Alecrim, Lagoa da Dona Beja, Lagoa do Vento, and Risco Falls! Not bad for a relatively easy loop trail!

What to bring on the Levada do Alecrim trail

One of the things to consider when hiking up at this elevation in Madeira is that the weather up here can be totally different from the weather down in Funchal or Ponta Do Sol for example. You’re going near the top of Madeira Island which means wind and cooler weather. Pack some extra clothes in your day bag. Also make sure to have a few layers you can take on and off!

The hike itself isn’t hard but it is fairly long so it’s also a good idea to bring some food along the way. One of our favourite parts about this hike was having little breaks by the waterfalls. They’re good rest points where you can chill in the sun and enjoy a little snack break.

Also, if you plan to test your limits and jump in the potentially freezing cold water, remember to bring a swimsuit!

Packing list for the PR 6.2 Levada do Alecrim :

  • Water! We always fill up our LifeStraw bottles before hikes and even during them when we can. Make sure to fill it up beforehand
  • Sunscreen is highly recommended when hiking in Madeira. Most hikes in Madeira you’ll be exposed to the sun for good sections of them so it’s good to always have some handy. If you plan to hang out by the waterfalls for a while it can get really sunny!
  • A power bank because you never know when you’re going to run out of battery, especially in the middle of nowhere on a hike. It’s the last thing you want to happen!
  • Bring some food! Have a picnic at one of the waterfalls and enjoy the incredible views from the hike. We stopped at both Lagoa da Dona Beja and Lagoa do Vento.
  • Hiking poles are always nice to have! The incline and decline on most hikes on the island isn’t that crazy but it’s always nice to have a set of hiking poles.
  • Hiking shoes are also recommended on this hike. The trail is well maintained but there are stairs, water, dirt, and loose terrain at certain parts so it’s nice to have proper, waterproof hiking shoes for it.

You can check out this great list of hiking gear to get some more inspiration!

Before you hike Levada do Alecrim

Check the weather

No matter where you hike, you should always check the weather before you go. Madeira has a micro-climate so the weather is always changing and can be very different even a few kilometers away. Checking the weather forecast is the best way to prepare for the hike ahead of you.

Surprisingly, both times we were in the area we had great weather. It does seem like a part of the island that gets more sun than others. It’s not like the Fanal Forest where it’s always raining. However, we’ve been told that we got quite lucky. You can see the weather in the Risco area here.

At the end of the day, as long as it’s not too cold and windy we’re sure you’ll have an enjoyable hike where you’ll get to experience the lagoons, waterfalls, and beautiful views.

Pro tip: Before going on a hike in Madeira, always check if the trail is open via Visit Madeira’s website.

Wear hiking shoes

Levada do Alecrim is an easy hike but it is a fairly long one. Especially if you end up doing the full loop trail. So it really is nice to wear hiking shoes and honestly, the Columbia’s I (Dom) have don’t even feel like hiking shoes because they’re so light.

There are sections of the trail that also get a little muddy and wet – especially if you go all the way up to the first waterfall – so if you don’t want to dirty up your regular shoes then hikers are the right move!

Book your rental car beforehand  

Unfortunately, you can’t get to the Levada do Alecrim parking lot by bus or public transport. Renting a car, private shutter, or going on a guided tour are your only options for this one. 

There are tons of other hikes that you can take public transport to, but renting a car is totally worth it if you want to hike in this area.

If you want to plan ahead, we recommend renting a car from Madeira Airpot through Discover Cars. We’ve found Discover Cars to be the best way to find and compare the best prices, and their customer support is great!

Or if you’re flexible and staying in Funchal, we recommend going to 7M downtown Funchal and talking with Bruno. He’s super sweet and he’ll try his best to hook you up with a discount if it’s possible.

Picture of a car rental from Madeira Airport in Portugal.

How to get to Levada do Alecrim

The Levada do Alecrim parking lot is easy to get to. It’s actually where the PR 6 Levada 25 Fontes hike starts. If you go later in the day, it’ll be impossible to miss (and potentially also to get a parking spot) as there will be plenty of cars in the parking lot. 

The best and cheapest way is to just rent a car and drive to the parking lot of Alecrim. If you have a car it’s easy to get to the trailhead from anywhere on the island. The one thing about Madeira is the distances between everywhere are quite short and easy to get to. Thanks to their awesome tunnel system!

Fun fact: To get to this parking lot, you will be driving up a hill with a 32% incline. Buckle up!

Getting to Levada do Alecrim by car

Below you can find the distances and time frames between Funchal and Levada do Alecrim as well as Ponta do Sol to Levada do Alecrim.

From Funchal to start of Levada do Alecrim trailhead:

From Ponta do Sol to Levada do Alecrim trailhead: 

Going by private and guided tour 

This is the option we recommend if you don’t want to rent a car. The nice thing about going on a guided tour is that they’ll pick you up and drop you off right in Funchal where you’re staying. We’ve done a few guided tours when we hiked Levada 25 Fontes and Pico do Arieiro and we really enjoyed learning about the island and the hike from our guide.

By the time you’d rent a car and pay for fuel and everything it doesn’t cost that much more money going on a guided tour. Plus you get to meet some cool people, learn some stuff, and get to relax on the way there and back. 

You can look into a guided tour of Levada do Alecrim here and find out more information about the pricing and everything.

Best time to hike Levada do Alecrim

Levada do Alecrim can get busy in the summer months as this area is really popular. Most guided tours and hikers will usually get to the trailhead around 9:30-10:00 am. To avoid crowds, it’s best if you can start at least 30 minutes before to get ahead of all the groups – or a few hours after to have the trail more or less to yourself.

There will be other small groups of day hikers doing it as well since, besides Levadas das 25 Fontes, this is probably the second most popular hike in the area of Rabacal.

During shoulder season and winter, the trail definitely does quiet down as there are fewer travellers compared to the summer months which is peak season. Most tourists and people who do come here during the off- and shoulder season either hike the 25 Falls, Pico do Arieiro, or Ponta do São Lourenço.

In terms of the weather, Levada do Alecrim is really better to do on a sunny day. On a sunny day, the trail is super chill and likely less muddy – and then it’s more relaxing to hang out at the waterfalls and have a chill afternoon in the sun. So plan to do this hike on a sunny day if you can! 🙂

Questions related to the Levada do Alecrim hiking trail

Do you need to book in advance to visit Levada do Alecrim?

To visit the actual hiking trail and waterfalls you don’t need to book in advance. There are no permits required to hike in Madeira so you can freely visit the PR 6.2 whenever you want. The only thing you might have to book in advance is either the car rental or the tour if you go on a guided tour.

Tours and car rentals in Madeira do tend to book up quite in advance. Especially during the summer months when the island is packed with tourists and cruise-ships. So even though the hike itself doesn’t have to be booked in advance the other things like a car rental, and guided tour should be to guarantee a spot!

What’s the best way to see Levada do Alecrim?

Personally a guided tour of Alecrim is the best way to enjoy this trail and the day. The tour company picks you up at your accommodation or right downtown Funchal and takes you right to where the hike begins with a small stop at a cafe before.

You don’t have to worry about anything besides packing the right clothes and some food for the day and that’s it. If you like hiking in a group, learning some info about the island, and having a guide to share some information with then you’ll love it.

We hiked the Alecrim on a guided tour and had a great time. If you get the chance or don’t want to rent a car then this is definitely the best way to enjoy this specific levada.

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Recap of hiking Levada do Alecrim

If you want an adventurous day in the forest with beautiful waterfalls along the way then give Levada Alecrim a go. You’ll see the famous Risco waterfall multiple times and you’ll also have a chance to swim next to a smaller waterfall. And as if that wasn’t enough, the views along the Alecrim trail are beautiful as well!

Give yourself the whole afternoon to enjoy this beautiful part of Madeira and don’t just hike the trail but stop off at some of the viewpoints and waterfalls to take it all in and truly enjoy it. The views and landscape are absolutely incredible and worth spending some time at.

Pack your bag with everything you need for the full day and enjoy exploring the Madeira mountains.

Have fun!

Dom & Jo
Red White Adventures

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