Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova – How To Hike PR7

Looking for a levada hike that combines lush nature, waterfalls, and epic views—all in one loop? 

The Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova trails in Lombada are among our absolute favorites in Madeira, right up there with Levada 25 Fontes.

We did this hike with our 3-month-old baby Ema, and it was the perfect choice—mostly flat, not too long, and incredibly scenic from start to finish.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you go, including where to start the loop, what to expect along the way, safety tips, and practical information such as parking and much more.

If you’re looking for an easy yet unforgettable levada walk, this one is a must.

Quick Overview

This hike starts near the peaceful village of Lombada and follows two beautiful levadas: Moinho and Nova.

The full loop is approximately 8 km long and took us about 3.5 hours, with plenty of photo stops and a brief snack break. The trail is mostly flat and not too demanding, making it perfect for hiking with our 3-month-old baby, Ema, in the carrier.

Although it’s suitable for most hikers, there are a few exposed sections that might not be ideal for those with a fear of heights.

The main highlights include a waterfall that you walk behind, a tunnel, the dramatic cliffside, and quiet views over Madeira’s lush green valleys.

We recommend starting with Levada do Moinho and finishing with Levada Nova.

Trail Map

How to get to start of the trail

By car

Levada do Moinho starts in the village of Lombada, just above Ponta do Sol on Madeira’s south coast. It’s about a 30–40 minute drive from Funchal or 15 minutes from Ribeira Brava.

Renting a car in Madeira is a must if you want to explore the island. It’s the most convenient way to get around.

You can park for free right at the start of the trail, next to the church in Lombada.

However, when we arrived around 10 AM, the parking lot was already completely full. We had to drive around a bit and eventually parked our car about 5 minutes away on the side of the road.

If you want a spot right at the trailhead, it’s best to get there before 8 AM — especially on weekends.

By public transport

There’s no direct bus to the trailhead, but you can take a bus to Ponta do Sol and then walk or take a taxi up to Lombada.

Bus 7 or 142 from Funchal will get you to Ponta do Sol in about an hour. From there, it’s a steep uphill walk (around 2 km) or a short taxi ride to reach the start of the levada.

Useful tips

• Start early to avoid crowds and secure a parking spot – it fills up quickly.
• Download an offline map like Maps.me, AllTrails, or mapy.com
• Bring enough water and snacks. There are no shops or restaurants along the trail.
• Take your trash with you. We didn’t see any bins on the route.
• The trail is not stroller-friendly, but it’s manageable with a baby carrier if you’re confident.
• The trail is officially closed, so hike at your own risk and check conditions before you go.

Our experience

We started the hike around 10:30 AM, and the fact that the parking lot was already full gave us a good hint—this trail, although officially closed, wasn’t going to be empty.

After a short uphill walk to the trailhead, we were immediately rewarded with beautiful panoramic views over the surrounding mountains and Madeira’s lush, terraced landscape.

On our right, the levada flowed gently alongside us, while on the left, we had open views stretching back to the ocean and scattered hillside houses.

The path is narrow but mostly flat, so it’s quite manageable. After around 45 minutes, we entered a forest section, where the views disappeared. Soon, we reached a scenic little river crossing with a charming path made of cube stones.

There are also two stone benches with a matching stone table—an ideal place to take a break and have a snack. Just behind it, there is a small waterfall cascading into a shallow pool.

From there, the trail continues through more forested terrain. After about 1.5 hours of hiking, we reached a steep staircase leading up to Levada Nova. On the left, a small trail continued, but a water crossing lay ahead that looked a bit dangerous.

Since Nika was carrying Ema in the baby carrier, we didn’t feel comfortable crossing the river that way.

Instead, we took the staircase up to Levada Nova and walked to the end of the levada, where we crossed the river safely near the dam, and rejoined the original path to view the first waterfall.

After just two more minutes of walking, we arrived at a scenic viewpoint of a tall waterfall.

We rested here for a while and then continued along Levada Nova. About 20 minutes later, we reached one of the absolute highlights of this hike—a stunning Levada Nova Waterfall that you walk behind.

It’s a breathtaking spot, and unsurprisingly, there were quite a few people around, all trying to get their perfect shot. If you’d prefer a quieter experience, aim to arrive early morning or later in the afternoon.

From here, the trail leads into a tunnel roughly 300 meters long. We used our phone flashlights to see where we were stepping, which worked well enough. The tunnel was damp but not too low or narrow, so it felt more exciting than challenging.

As we emerged, we were treated to another incredible stretch—levada on our left and dramatic cliffs and valleys on the right.

Some sections here are very exposed and quite narrow, so if you’re afraid of heights, it might get a bit uncomfortable. However, the views are absolutely worth it.

After about 3.5 hours on the trail—including photo stops and snack breaks we finally reached the end of the levada. From there, it was another 10-minute walk back to our car.

If you’re finishing the hike around lunchtime, we highly recommend visiting Fanal Forest, which is only 45 minutes from Levada do Moinho. The best time to visit is in the afternoon, when there are fewer crowds.

Best time to hike Levada do Moinho

If you want to enjoy the trail with fewer people, especially the iconic waterfall section where everyone stops for photos, we strongly recommend starting early—ideally before 8 AM.

This trail is not the best choice after rain. Some sections get muddy and slippery, and walking on narrow, wet paths with drop-offs on one side is not ideal—especially if you’re carrying a baby like we were.

The trail is open year-round, but the best months are April to October when the days are longer and the chance of rain is lower. Still, always check the local forecast before heading out. If there’s been recent heavy rain, it’s better to wait a day or two for the trail to dry up a bit.

Facilities on the trail

There are no facilities along the Levada do Moinho and Levada Nova trails. You won’t find any shops, restaurants, or toilets on the way, so make sure to bring everything you need.

We also didn’t see any trash bins, so please take all your rubbish with you to help keep the trail clean.

If you’re craving delicious food after the hike, we highly recommend dining at the Planalto restaurant, located just 15 minutes away by car. The owners are extremely friendly, and the octopus is a must-try.

Final thoughts

Levada do Moinho to Levada Nova was one of our favorite hikes in Madeira. The mix of waterfalls, views, forest, and even a tunnel makes this trail incredibly diverse and fun to walk.

We loved that it was relatively flat and doable even with our baby in the carrier—although there were a few exposed sections where we had to stay extra focused.

If you’re looking for a trail that gives you a little bit of everything without a steep climb, this one is absolutely worth it.

Despite being officially closed, we saw dozens of people hiking this route without issues. Still, go at your own risk and assess the trail based on your comfort level. For us, it was an unforgettable half-day adventure in the heart of Madeira’s lush nature.