OpenMadeira
Tell me about the Small trail of the Levada do Rei levada walk in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about the "Small trail of the Levada do Rei" levada walk in Madeira. This sounds like it could be PR-18 (Levada do Rei), but the user mentions "Small trail" which might refer to a specific variant. Let me search for this trail using the find_hikes tool. Let me search for "Levada do Rei" to find the traildetails.The user asked about the "Small trail of the Levada do Rei" — this is a community/unofficial trail from AllTrails, NOT an official IFCN PR trail. I need to present it with the unofficial-trail caveat clearly, and also mention the official PR 18 Levada do Rei for context since they're related. Let me structure the answer about the Small trail of the Levada do Rei with its details from the community_trails data, and then briefly mention the official PR 18 as the full/official version. Key details for the Small trail: - Name: Small trail of the Levada do Rei (Pequena Trilha da Levada do Rei) - Rating: 4.3★ from 152 hiker reviews on AllTrails - Difficulty: Moderate - Length: 5.3 km - Route type: Loop - Estimated time: 1.5–2 hr - Area: Madeira Natural Park - Location: São Jorge - Description: Goes around the São Jorge valley, observing herbs and medicinal plants, through well-preserved Laurissilva Forest - It's NOT an official IFCN PR trail — community route on AllTrails - No official open/closed status For the official PR 18 Levada do Rei: - PR 18, Moderate, 5.3 km (+ 5.3 km return), 3:30 hours - Start: São Jorge Wastewater Treatment Plant, End: Ribeiro Bonito - Access fee: €4.50 (via SIMplifica portal) - 4.5★ from 1654 reviews on AllTrails The user specifically asked about the "Small trail" so I should focus on that, but mention the official PR 18 as context since they share the same area.
How this was derived · 4 steps
TrailsMap & photos
Levada do Rei6 photos
Levada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do ReiLevada do Rei
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)
Small Trail of the Levada do Rei ⭐ 4.3

This is a community route mapped on AllTrails — it's not part of Madeira's official PR trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests and nature authority), so it has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee. Check access and conditions locally before you go.

DifficultyModerate
Distance5.3 km (loop)
Estimated time1.5–2 hours
Start point areaSão Jorge (near Quebradas)
AreaMadeira Natural Park

The small pedestrian route follows a section of the Levada do Rei, starting near the Quebradas Water Treatment Station in São Jorge. It loops around the São Jorge valley, where you can observe various herbs and medicinal plants and learn a little about them. The highlight is passage through one of the best-preserved areas of the Laurissilva Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999), where you'll see a rich variety of native plants and lush vegetation.

4.3★ from 152 hiker reviews on AllTrails — View on AllTrails ↗ · Directions to trailhead ↗


The official full trail — PR 18 Levada do Rei

This shorter route sits alongside the official PR 18 Levada do Rei, which is the full IFCN-managed trail:

  • Distance: 5.3 km one way (+ 5.3 km return) = ~10.6 km total
  • Duration: 3½ hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Start: São Jorge Wastewater Treatment Plant → End: Ribeiro Bonito
  • Altitude: 535–573 m
  • Access fee: €4.50 (visitors > 12 years; ≤ 12 years exempt) via the SIMplifica portal
  • 4.5★ from 1,654 reviews on AllTrails — the most popular version of this walk

VisitMadeira (official) ↗ · Directions to PR 18 trailhead ↗


⚠️ Before you go, check the current trail status on OpenMadeira — the official PR 18 status can change (open/closed/restricted), and the small community route has no official status to report.

Would you like me to check the mountain weather forecast and IPMA warnings for the day you plan to hike, or find how to get to São Jorge by bus from where you're staying?

OpenMadeira can make mistakes — check the sources.