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 among tourists. 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.
Without further ado, let’s jump into exactly how you can do this stunning and easy Levada dos Maroços hike from Machico.
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Where is Levada dos Maroços?
Levada dos Maroços is a hike that begins in Machico on the east coast of Madeira.
It continues for quite some distance, but the easiest stretch is from Machico to the centre of the village of Maroços (from the Levada do Caniçal location on Google Maps to Bar O Tio).
The levada passes through several green valleys with farm pastures and typical Madeiran houses.
Maroços 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, this is a good place to do it.
Is Levada dos Maroços Worth It?
Sometimes I want to challenge myself to a steep trail over Madeira’s mountainous terrain. At other times, I want a gentle walk with good scenery.
Levada dos Maroços is best for the latter.
Levada dos Maroços
Following the levada, the hiking trail is completely flat and only lasts for two to three hours (or less, if you turn back sooner).
For a more challenging hike, the Pico do Facho trail is also located in Machico.
Pico do Facho
In short, you can expect:
- A gentle hike with little to no incline
- Very few people
- Views over rural villages, forest and farmland
Levada dos Maroços: What to Expect
Levada dos Maroços is a point-to-point trail, meaning that you start the walk in one location and end the hike in a second location.
Getting to and from the hike is therefore a little tricky because if you park a car at the start point, you have to find your way back.
Walking from Machico to Maroços takes the average person two to three hours each way.
The easiest way to do it is to walk as far as you like, and then double back to your start location. I usually do this.
The second option is to park (or get a taxi) to the Levada do Caniçal Google Maps location in Machico.
After hiking to Maroços (for two to three hours), you can take a direct bus from the village to Machico.
The bus stop is located at the crossroads opposite Bar O Tio.
Once you arrive at the main bus station in Machico, you’re finished.
If you parked the car at Levada do Caniçal, you only need to a taxi back to the starting point.
HIKE STATS
Distance: 8 kilometres (5 miles)
Amenities: None
My Experience Hiking The Levada
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.
At golden hour, the valley lights up. I often pass mountain bikers along the trail, but never any big groups of people.
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.
If you’re heading to the levada earlier in the day (and by car), you might want to plan a stop at Café Paraiso.
I often stop at this small café before going hiking in the area around Machico.
When you reach the Levada do Caniçal pinpoint, you’ll want to stop before the tunnel to Caniçal.
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.
The trail also passes through a forest, before eventually emerging at the village of Maroços.
Maroços is a small, peaceful village four kilometres from Machico. It has a couple of poncha bars: Bar O Tio and Bar Poncha da Dulce, the latter being the most popular for traditional poncha.
To take the bus to Machico, you can check the Line 156 schedule online. They typically depart every one to two hours.
I hope you found my guide to the Levada dos Maroços hike from Machico useful!
Suggested reading:
- Pico do Facho – Machico’s more challenging trail!
- Things to do in Machico, Madeira’s old capital.