Levada

Walking has long been a favourite pastime for those on holidays in Madeira. The levadas (irrigation channels) form a network of trails that take you through spectacular volcanic landscapes.

In the sixteenth century the Portuguese started building levadas to carry water to agricultural regions. Madeira is very mountainous, and building the levadas was often difficult. Many men even lost their lives in the process.

Today, the levadas not only supply water to the southern parts of the island but provide hydro-electric power. There are over 1,350 miles (2,170 km) of levadas and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths. Some provide easy and relaxing walks through beautiful countryside, but others are narrow, crumbling ledges where a slip could result in serious injury or death.

A popular levada walk is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, a 37-kilometre long waterway which may cause hikers to suffer vertigo. There are also several tunnels for which flashlights and helmets are essential.

The Levada do Caniçal is a much easier walk. This 11-kilometre levada is known as the mimosa levada due to the numerous mimosa plants which can be found all along the route.