The perfect trail for all ages in Madeira

Located in the famous Rabaçal area, Levada Do Alecrim is a lesser-known hike, but it offers some amazing sights you’ll definitely love. While most tourists opt for the 25 Fontes trail, if you’re looking for an almost flat hike and a quieter walk surrounded by nature, this trail is what you are looking for.

Natural waterslides and pools, waterfalls, and more. Levada Do Alecrim is amazing… and for those of you who love nature, it’ll be a unique experience.

Later in this article, we’ll give you all the practical information you might need as well as some great tips to improve your overall trip. Keep reading…

Useful information and details of the Levada do Alecrim

Hike distance: 3.5 km (7 km round trip)
Type of hike: Round trip
Hike duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Inclination: Almost none

How to get to Levada do Alecrim

If you decide to rent a car to visit the hike, you’ll need to start early in the morning to be there by 8 AM or so. The sooner the better! The parking lot is full at midday and you’ll need to park at the roadside. Therefore, visit early in the morning to find a parking spot AND avoid the crowds.

Be careful! Don’t follow where other people are going because they most likely will be heading to Levada das 25 Fontes. The Levada do Alecrim hike starts at the right side of the parking lot, sideways of the paved road.

Other than getting there by car, you have one more option, You can book a guided tour like this one. Guide tours are more affordable for couples and solo travelers than renting a car and paying for fuel plus you get to relax on your way there and back and you also get to meet new people. Your guide will give you valuable and interesting information about the hike and Madeira! It will be a different kind of experience than going there by yourself.
You can also find more tours around the area here.

Best time to visit the Levada do Alecrim

The best time to visit the Levada do Alecrim hike depends on your preferences. Let’s assume you don’t want to be part of the large crowds and really want to enjoy the hike with as few people as possible there.

The best season to visit this hike for you would be winter. Winter is a season where Madeira doesn’t have many tourists and you will definitely find the peace and quiet you’re looking for. It’s even possible that you won’t find anyone else there during winter time.

Winter comes with some challenges though… These challenges include rainy days. You should look at the weather forecast and choose a sunny day to hike Levada do Alecrim. Sunny days are less muddy and you’ll still be able to watch the waterfall.

Summer is the peak season for Madeira and choosing this time of the year to visit comes with a lot of crowds and tourists doing the same activities with you at the same time. Fortunately, this Levada doesn’t get as crowded as 25 Fontes, and you’ll encounter very few people, even in the summer. Besides, the good thing about the summer season is that you have more chances of finding a sunny day and the waterfall will still be flowing even if it hasn’t rained for months! That’s the beauty of this hike!

What to bring for the Levada do Alecrim (& Precautions)

Even though the Levada do Alecrim hike is considered very safe and family-friendly, you must always be careful. For that case, we’ll be giving you a list of precautions you need to take as well as some necessary things to have with you while hiking.

• Let’s start with the basics… water! Always take enough water with you and even a bit more in case you run out.
• Food! This is up to you how much you want to eat. You can just take some snacks or make a whole meal in case you want to stop for a picnic or something similar.This hike only takes around 2 – 3 hours so keep this in mind when packing your food bag.
• Sunscreen is also something that you must take with you. During hiking, there will be many moments when you’re completely exposed to the sun, including when sitting down to watch the waterfall, so sunscreen will be necessary.
• Make sure to also take a power bank with you in case your phone dies and you need to contact someone.
• Wear proper shoes with you even though this specific hike isn’t hard at all. You’ll need to go up and down a few stairs therefore make sure to always be protected.
• Take a whistle with you in case you get lost or slip off the path.
• Calculate the time it takes to complete the hike and get back and make sure to be back before nightfall.
• Last but not least, always inform your family or friends that you’ll be hiking in Levada do Alecrim so if something happens, they know where to find you.

 These were pretty much all of the things you need to take with you as well as some basic precautions that will keep you safe in case of an accident.

What to expect from this hike

Here’s a rough overview of the hike: As mentioned before, you’ll have to take the trail that’s on the right side of the parking lot and goes into the bushes. In the first part of the trail, you’ll encounter a handmade waterslide with stairs which is a great photospot of this levada.

Next up is the famous waterfall with its natural pools…

Levada do Alecrim waterfall

Three kilometers ahead, you’ll come across the most famous part of this hike, the Lagoa Dona Beja waterfall. The waterfall comes with some unique natural water pools where you can swim or take photographs or just sit down and have your lunch. There are a lot of things you can do here to enjoy the moment!

For a different view, you can continue hiking up the trail until you reach the top of the waterfall.

Whatever the case might be if you decide to enter the water, be prepared because it will definitely be cold!

And that was all we had to say about the amazing hike of Levada do Alecrim. Now, you have the necessary knowledge to visit the hike and complete it while being safe. Levada do Alecrim might not be the most famous hike of Madeira but it’s definitely one worth visiting.