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- RB1: Vereda da Ladeira Directions
- Vereda da Ladeira Directions
The Rota da Banana in Madalena do Mar is a community-mapped trail — not part of Madeira's official PR (Percurso Recomendado) trail network managed by IFCN, the regional government's forests and nature-conservation authority — so it has no official open/closed status or maintenance guarantee. That said, it's one of the most popular easy walks on the island and a lovely introduction to Madeira's banana-growing heritage.
| Type | Loop |
| Length | 1.9 km |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Time | ~30 min – 1 hr |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.5 / 5 (426 hiker reviews on AllTrails) |
| Location | Madalena do Mar, southwest coast |
This circular route is a shortened version of the longer RB1: Vereda da Ladeira. It winds through lush banana plantations — one of the largest on the island — with the Atlantic Ocean as a constant backdrop. Along the way you'll see banana trees with bunches protected by blue sacks, interspersed with exotic flowers like Strelitzia (bird of paradise) and sugarcane bushes. It's ideal for a relaxed stroll or a family-friendly introduction to levada walking.
The "Rota da Banana" is actually a small network of routes around Madalena do Mar:
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Rating | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB1: Vereda da Ladeira | 1.3 km | Moderate | ⭐ 4.4 (60 reviews) | Out & back |
| Vereda da Ladeira (circular) | 1.3 km | Moderate | ⭐ 4.6 (52 reviews) | Circular |
| RB2: Vereda do Nateiro — also called "Banana Route" | 0.6 km | Easy | ⭐ 4.5 (38 reviews) | Out & back |
RB1: Vereda da Ladeira follows the old cable-car line above the village, with sweeping views over green valleys and the ocean, and passes through one of the island's largest banana plantations. RB2: Vereda do Nateiro is a shorter stroll through the banana groves where you may find baskets of ripe bananas for sale directly from local growers.
All of these are community/unofficial routes — not IFCN PR trails — so check access and conditions locally before setting out.
- 🅿️ Madalena do Mar is a small seaside village on the southwest coast, about 10 minutes' drive from Ponta do Sol and 30 minutes from Funchal.
- The terrain is gently undulating agricultural paths — very accessible compared to Madeira's mountain levadas.
- Best enjoyed in the morning or late afternoon, when the light on the banana leaves and the sea is stunning.
- Since these aren't official PR trails, there's no access fee or IFCN payment required — but also no official signage or维护 guarantee.
Want me to check the weather forecast for Madalena do Mar for the day you're planning to go, or find a video of the trail so you can preview it?