Experience an Easy Levada Walk with Stunning Valley Views
Levada dos Maroços is a beautiful and easy levada walk situated in the valley of Machico, the second-largest town in Madeira Island, located east of the capital, Funchal. Machico is historically significant as it was the first city discovered in 1419 by Portuguese navigators Tristão Vaz Teixeira and João Gonçalves Zarco. The side valleys of the “Ribeira de Machico” are especially picturesque in the spring when the Acacia trees are in bloom.
This walk offers a unique opportunity to observe the only irrigation channel (levada) in the dry northeast of Madeira Island. As you stroll along the levada, you’ll discover stunning views over the bay of Machico and the famous “Poios Madeirenses” (agricultural terraces). You might even get a chance to taste fresh fruit sold by local farmers along the route.
The forest along this walk is an exotic one, introduced by the people of Madeira, and is composed of Acacia and Pine trees. Madeira’s location, climate, and mountainous terrain allow for a wide variety of crops to be cultivated, including many tropical fruits and vegetables. The irrigation channels, or “levadas,” are crucial for transporting water from the north to the south of the island for agricultural purposes.
Our mountain guide will explain the importance of these levadas in Madeira’s agriculture, enriching your understanding of the island’s unique irrigation system. The Levada dos Maroços walk provides a fascinating glimpse into the traditional agricultural practices and breathtaking landscapes of Madeira.
