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Tell me about the PR 18 Levada do Rei levada walk in Madeira
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The user is asking about the PR 18 Levada do Rei hike in Madeira. I need to look up this trail using the find_hikes tool.The result came back with 0 hikes. Let me try a different query approach - maybe just "Levada do Rei" or with the nearparameter.I got the data for PR 18 Levada do Rei. Let me compile the key details from the official hike data: - PR Code: PR 18 - Name: Levada do Rei - Route: Quebradas – Ribeiro Bonito - Difficulty: Moderate - Distance: 5.3 km (+ 5.3 km return) - Duration: 3:30 hours - Start point: São Jorge Wastewater Treatment Plant - End point: Ribeiro Bonito - Max altitude: 573 m - Min altitude: 535 m - Managing entity: IFCN - Access fee: €4.50 for visitors > 12 years, exempt for visitors ≤ 12 years, via SIMplifica portal - AllTrails rating: 4.5★ from 1654 reviews - Directions URL available - Visit Madeira detail URL available There's also a community trail "Small trail of the Levada do Rei" which is a 5.3 km loop rated 4.3★ with 152 reviews. The note says this is an EVERGREEN trail guide and I should NOT state any open/closed/restricted status. I should tell the reader to check the CURRENT trail status before setting out. Let me also note the YouTube video and photos available. Let me compose a comprehensive answer about PR 18 Levadado Rei.
How this was derived · 1 step
Trails near São JorgeMap & photos
Levada do Rei6 photos
Levada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do Rei
Photos: walkmeguide.com ↗
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)
PR 18 — Levada do Rei

Levada do Rei ("King's Levada") is one of Madeira's most beloved official levada walks, winding through the lush Laurissilva forest in the São Jorge valley — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here's everything you need to know:

Key details
PR codePR 18
RouteQuebradas → Ribeiro Bonito
DifficultyModerate
Distance5.3 km one way (+ 5.3 km return = 10.6 km total)
Duration~3 h 30 min
Start pointSão Jorge Wastewater Treatment Plant (Quebradas)
End pointRibeiro Bonito
Altitude range535 m – 573 m
Managed byIFCN (Madeira's forests & nature authority)
Access fee

The trail requires a fee paid via the SIMplifica portal:

  • €4.50 — visitors over 12 years
  • Free — visitors 12 years and under
What makes it special

The walk follows the levada (irrigation channel) through one of the best-preserved stretches of Laurissilva, Madeira's ancient laurel forest. You'll encounter dense moss-covered trees, crystal-clear streams, natural tunnels formed by twisted branches, and waterfalls. The forest is alive with endemic birdlife — keep an eye out for Madeira firecrests and chaffinches. The trail ends at the pristine Ribeiro Bonito waterfall, a magical reward at the turnaround point.

Since the altitude stays between 535–573 m, there's virtually no significant climbing — it's a gentle, contour-following walk, which is why it's rated moderate (the distance is the main challenge).

Community rating

⭐ 4.5 / 5 from 1,654 hiker reviews on AllTrails — one of Madeira's most popular and best-reviewed trails.

Getting to the trailhead

The trailhead is at São Jorge, in the municipality of Santana, on Madeira's north coast.

▶ Directions to the trailhead ↗

⚠️ Check before you go

Trail status (open / closed / restricted) can change — always check the current status on OpenMadeira before heading out.

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