Levada Dos Tornos Hike Guide: My Favourite Funchal Hike
Will I ever shut up about the Levada Dos Tornos hike? Nope! It’s the first hike I’ll recommend to anyone looking for hikes from Funchal.
It can be done completely by public transport and ends at the beautiful Monte Palace.
I’ve done the Levada dos Tornos walk to Funchal three times now. It’s my go-to on cloudy days, when the mountains aren’t worth visiting, and I just love the city views!
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Is This Hike Worth Doing?
I’ve done 22+ of the best hikes in Madeira, and the Levada dos Tornos walk to Monte is one of my favourites. I mainly like it because:
- You can reach it by bus from Funchal – in 25 minutes.
- It’s mostly flat, following a levada above the city.
- It’s lower than mountain trails, so you can do it in cloudy conditions or light rain.
- The city views make a nice change to the mountain/coastal hikes.
- It starts and ends at two of the best cafés in Madeira.
- Last but not least, it’s not very crowded.
Difficulty
The Levada dos Tornos hike from Jasmin Tea House to Monte is easy to moderate.
The main challenge is the distance, 6.7 kilometres.
It’s mostly flat, except for a couple of hills near the end of the route and at a small village near the main viewpoint. In total, there’s 327 metres of incline, but you honestly don’t feel it until those sections.
The walk is considered one of the most family-friendly trails in Madeira. There are no steep drop-offs and it’s generally wide and easy to follow, with significant shade from the forest.
How to Get There
- By bus: Take bus no. 47 from Funchal bus station to the Tea House CAM Pretos S (423) next to Jasmin Tea House.
- By taxi: I’ve also taken a Bolt taxi to Jasmin Tea House from Funchal. It cost me about €12.
- By car: Not ideal. It’s a point-to-point trail, so you’ll either have to hike double the distance to get back to your car or take a cable car from Monte and bus to Jasmin Tea House.
How To Get Back To Funchal From Monte
Once you’ve reached the end of the hike in Monte, you can take the cable car or bus (no. 20 or 22) back down to the city.
It’s so easy to do the Levada dos Toronos hike without a car, which is why it’s one of my top picks in my guide to hiking in Madeira without a car.
What to Expect on The Levada Dos Tornos Hike From Jasmin Tea House To Monte
Map
My Experience Hiking Levada dos Tornos in Funchal
Levada dos Tornos is a long, long levada that would be impossible to walk in just one day. I’ve hiked on the same levada on the north coast of Madeira!
The most popular route near Funchal is the section between Jasmin Tea House and Monte Palace.
Jasmin Tea House sits just below the levada. It has English owners, a chubby cat called Molly and views over a golf course on the south coast.
From the first time I visited, I knew I’d be back. It’s so friendly, and they even had gluten-free lemon cake the second time I went there.
Getting the bus to Jasmin Tea House is very straightforward too; you can follow the route directly on Google Maps, unlike most buses in Madeira.
The bus stop is directly outside; walk up the steep drive to the tea house.
Once you’ve finished at the tea house, follow the stairs up to the levada. The trail begins in the forest, weaving through several valleys and small villages.
As you walk, you’ll notice a few small cafés/restaurants directly alongside the levada – ideal if you want an extra rest!
It’s a very easy-going trail to begin with. After five kilometres (around 2–2.5 hours, depending on your pace), you’ll reach a small village where there’s a magnificent viewpoint over Funchal.
From the Curral dos Romeiros viewpoint, you can see the city sloping into the ocean. With the palm trees in the foreground, I remember thinking, this view almost gives LA vibes!
From the village, you move into the hilliest part of the trek. It’s also the easiest part to get lost, so mind the AllTrails route.
You should be on a wide, cobbled track in the forest with the river below. You’ll also pass a couple of small waterfalls before climbing up to Monte. Past the cable car station is the Palace and a few cafés/restaurants.
My friend and I got an outdoor table at Pátio das Babosas, had a banana split and coffee, and then took the cable car back down to Funchal.
You can also take the bus (no. 20 or 22) if you want – it’s cheaper and takes about 25 minutes.
Remember, though, visiting Monte Palace is one of the most popular things to do in Funchal. A five-minute walk downhill is the Monte toboggan ride, where you can ride downhill on wicker toboggans as the locals used to do.
Tips for the Hike
- Wear waterproof shoes: If you’re visiting after rain, the trail can have a few big puddles that you’ll need to walk through or dodge around. Mud is also possible!
- Bring a waterproof jacket: The weather can change quickly, so it’s always best to be prepared for all conditions.
Alternatives to Levada Dos Tornos From Jasmin Tea House to Monte
- Levada dos Maroços: Even quieter, this levada walk is located in Machico and a similar length and difficulty.
- Levada do Castelejo: A proper ‘hidden gem’ in Porto da Cruz, starting at Bar Hercules, with views of the ocean and Eagle Rock.
- Levada dos Tornos From Lombo do Urzal (Boaventura): The same levada, but on the north coast. This out-and-back route will take you around 2–3 hours, and it’s well-shaded.
FAQs
There are toilets at Jasmin Tea House at the beginning of the hike. There are a few more cafés along the route that you can use if you stop at them. Toilets are also located in Monte, at the end of the hike.
