Levada dos Maroços Hike Guide: A Stunning and Easy Hike from Machico
I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of the Levada dos Maroços hike in Machico. Located on the east side of Madeira, this easy levada trail isn’t well known. However, it’s one of my favourite levada walks on the island.
Pointing inland from Machico, the levada passes through several green valleys with small villages, giving you a small glimpse into rural life on the remote east coast.
In this blog post, I’ll explain how you can do this stunning and easy Levada dos Maroços hike – I consider it one of the best things to do in Machico, alongside hiking Pico do Facho.
And if you’re looking for more routes to do in Madeira, check out my ultimate guide to the best hikes in Madeira, from hard mountain climbs to easy levada walks.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
Where is Levada dos Maroços?
Levada dos Maroços is a walk that begins in Machico on the east coast of Madeira, just in front of the tunnel to Caniçal.
The levada continues for quite some distance, all the way to the village of Maroços, but the great part about this hike is that you can walk as far as you feel like before doubling back.
I usually walk for about 2.5 – 3 hours out and back, but if you want to go all the way to Maroços, it pretty much doubles the distance and time on the trail. And if you turn back sooner, you can shave down the hike significantly.
Is Levada dos Maroços Worth It?
Sometimes I want to challenge myself to a steep mountain trail. And other times, I just want a gentle walk with good scenery. Levada dos Maroços is one of my go-tos for the latter.
Whenever I visit Madeira, I tend to base myself in Machico for 1 – 3 months at a time, which makes it really easy for me to reach the levada by car or bus.
The walk is almost completely flat and my route only takes 2.5 – 3 hours (or less, if you turn back sooner). So, it’s much easier than the more challenging Pico do Facho trail in Machico, and it also suits my trail runs (at about 6 – 7km in total).
This is a very peaceful area of Madeira that doesn’t receive many tourists, so if you want to get away from the crowds and see the rural side of the island, it’s a good place to do it.
The levada passes green valleys with farm pastures and typical Madeiran houses. It’s very beautiful.
In short, the levada is:
- A gentle hike with little to no incline.
- Uncrowded, with just a few hikers or mountain bikers most of the time.
- Pretty, with views over villages, forest and farmland.
Difficulty
Overall, I’d say the Levada dos Maroços walk is easy to moderate. The path’s firm under foot, although sometimes a bit muddy after rain, and doesn’t have any steep drop-offs.
It’s very flat, and you can make it extremely easy by only walking as far as you want before turning back. However, if you walk all the way to Maroços – beyond my suggested route – you can spend the whole day on the trail and give yourself a significant hike.
How to Get There
The Levada dos Maroços walk in Machico begins at the entrance to the tunnel to Caniçal, in the slopes at the back of Machico.
You can find it by looking for the Levada do Caniçal location on Google Maps.
- By car: The walk is easiest to reach by car. You can park along the road (limited space) just before the tunnel to Caniçal.
- By bus: There is a bus stop directly at the trailhead. You can take SIGA bus no. 113 from either Funchal or Machico to the trailhead. Just make sure to press the stop button before you reach the tunnel to Caniçal. Check the bus no. 113 timetable. You can also take the same bus from Caniçal, in which case you’ll need to stop immediately after the tunnel.
- On foot: You can walk to the trailhead from the centre of Machico, but it’ll add extra incline and time to your walk. You can either go via the roads, or hike up Pico do Facho and walk along the road from the summit to the tunnel.
Levada dos Maroços Walk From Machico: What to Expect
Route Map
My Experience Hiking Levada dos Maroços
I love to go trail running on Levada dos Maroços. After a day at my desk, it’s so easy to drive up to the trailhead, park the car, and run out and back.
Unlike many levada trails on the island, Levada dos Maroços doesn’t have a steep drop down one side. Therefore, it feels safe for trail running. And at golden hour, the valley lights up.
There is a small stone plaque at the left-hand side of the road, marking the start of the trail.
You’ll want to follow the paved trail left. It’s almost impossible to lose the trail because it runs directly alongside the levada, a narrow manmade aqueduct that channels the water from the mountains to the coast.
The levada trail starts out in Machico’s back valleys, passing by townhouses and fields. In the distance, you can spot the beach, river and football pitch.
The further you walk, the more remote you get. There are fewer and fewer houses and more and more farm pastures with figs, green beans and other fruits and vegetables.
I often pass mountain bikers along the trail, but never any big groups of people. The trail also passes through a forest, before eventually emerging into a small valley with more houses; this is where I typically turn back, in order to keep the hike under 7 kilometres.
If you do want to continue, you’ll eventually reach Maroços, a small, peaceful village with a couple of poncha bars: Bar O Tio and Bar Poncha da Dulce, the latter being the most popular for traditional poncha.
You can either walk back or take the bus back into Mahcico, To take the bus to Machico, you can check the Line 156 schedule online. They typically depart every 1 – 2 hours.
Tips for the Hike
- Plan a stop at Café Paraiso if you’re getting to the hike by car. I often stop at this small café before going hiking on the levada. It’s cute and sells pastries.
- Don’t hike after days of heavy rain. The trail can get quite muddy and it’s hard to skirt around the big puddles.
- Consider adding the levada walk to your hike up Pico do Facho for a longer day on the trails.
- Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no shops along the hike.
I hope you found my guide to the Levada dos Maroços hike from Machico useful! Let me know if you do it, and how you find it.
