PR16 (Levada Fajã do Rodrigues) is a 3.9 km each way (7.8 km round trip), easy, official IFCN route that requires a SIMplifica booking. Cost: €4.50 per person. Whether it is worth hiking right now depends on live conditions and today's official status, re-checked every 20 minutes in the live app.
Madeira
A coastal forecast will not tell you what it is doing at 630m up here. That is what the live score is for. How the island splits one forecast into many: microclimate guide.
Is today the day?
At 630m, Levada Fajã do Rodrigues makes its own weather. A coastal forecast will not tell you what today looks like up here. The pass reads the live conditions on the trail and gives you one honest answer, re-checked every 20 minutes.
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Advance booking required via SIMplifica
The slot is €4.50 per person, tied to the day and time you pick. Book it on the right day, the first time.
Book now on SIMplifica How to book this trail Which trails are freeDownload GPX: free offline map
Grab the full GPS track and waypoints for Levada Fajã do Rodrigues as a free GPX file, no signup. Load it into Garmin, Komoot, AllTrails, Gaia GPS or OsmAnd and follow the route offline, even where there is no phone signal.
ⓘ Source & safety
Track and waypoints from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Planning aid, not a safety guarantee. Check the official trail status and conditions before you go.Estimated hiking time
1h03
About Levada Fajã do Rodrigues
Trail along the Levada Fajã do Rodrigues. Begins at Ginjos (São Vicente) and ends at Ribeira do Inferno. The levada, around 600 m, draws water from the Seixal river. Crosses exotic plantings (pine, eucalyptus) and Laurissilva forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site (1999). Features waterfalls and tunnels.
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues (PR16) is a round trip route of about 7.8 km in Madeira.
What you'll see
The route takes in walk-through tunnels, a levada water-channel path, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints and laurel forest (laurisilva).
Difficulty
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is officially graded easy by IFCN, based on 7.8 km round trip, 160 m of ascent and low exposure.
How long it takes
Allow about 3h 30m for the round trip (you return the same way).
The app's live 0-100 score also flags the latest safe start time for the day. See it in the app.
Getting there and back
Starts at Fajã da Ama. Ends at Ribeira do Inferno. There is a car park at the start, though its size is not recorded on the map.
What to bring
This trail passes through 4 tunnels, so bring a head torch.
Best time to walk it
Spring to autumn; best in dry weather, as the levada and tunnel sections get slick. The river runs fullest after winter rain.
Most of this route sits in shade, which keeps it walkable on days when open ground is punishing.
The sun and shade reading comes from the slope's aspect and steepness, so it describes terrain shading and not tree cover.
A live 0-100 score picks the best 30-minute window for the day. See today's window in the app.
Booking
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is a regulated trail with a daily visitor cap, so you must reserve a timed slot in advance through SIMplifica before you go. The official fee is around €4.50 per person. Levadas does not sell tickets or make the reservation for you.
Official trail status
According to IFCN, as of 20 Aug 2026, this trail is currently officially open.
IFCN's own status page is dated 24 Jul 2026. The date above (20 Aug 2026) is ours: it records when we last read that page, not when IFCN wrote it.
Official status can change, so always check the latest before you go.
Fire and other live hazards near this trail are tracked on the Madeira trail alerts page
Frequently asked questions
Is Levada Fajã do Rodrigues worth hiking today?
It depends on today's conditions, and that is exactly what Levadas answers. The app reads the current weather at Levada Fajã do Rodrigues, the safe-start window, how busy it is and the official IFCN status, then gives one honest go-or-wait score from 0 to 100, re-checked every 20 minutes. It is decision-support, not a safety clearance: an official IFCN closure always overrides the score, no matter how good the weather looks.
How long is Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is about 7.8 km round trip.
How difficult is Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is officially graded easy by IFCN.
Is Levada Fajã do Rodrigues safe?
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is a low-exposure route, so a drop beside the path is not the thing to plan around. Part of it runs underground, so without a head torch you are walking in the dark. None of that tells you about today, and this page does not try to. Conditions decide, which is why Levadas reads the current weather on Levada Fajã do Rodrigues, the safe-start window and the official IFCN status, then gives one go-or-wait score from 0 to 100. It is decision-support, not a safety clearance, and an official IFCN closure overrides the score however good the weather looks.
How long does Levada Fajã do Rodrigues take to walk?
Allow about 3h 30m for the round trip.
Can I download a GPX track for Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Yes. Tap Download GPX on this page: the first download on any device asks for an email so we can also send the free trail pack, then every later trail downloads instantly.
Do I need to book Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Yes. Levada Fajã do Rodrigues is a regulated trail with a daily cap, so you must reserve a timed slot through SIMplifica in advance. The official fee is around €4.50 per person.
Where does Levada Fajã do Rodrigues start and finish?
Levada Fajã do Rodrigues starts at Fajã da Ama and finishes at Ribeira do Inferno.
What will I see on Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Highlights include walk-through tunnels, a levada water-channel path, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints and laurel forest (laurisilva).
When is the best time to hike Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Spring to autumn; best in dry weather, as the levada and tunnel sections get slick. The river runs fullest after winter rain.
Are there tunnels on Levada Fajã do Rodrigues? Do I need a torch?
Yes, Levada Fajã do Rodrigues passes through 4 tunnels, so bring a head torch.
Is Levada Fajã do Rodrigues open right now?
IFCN lists Levada Fajã do Rodrigues as officially open. Status can change, so check the latest before you go.
How do I check live conditions for Levada Fajã do Rodrigues?
Levadas scores Levada Fajã do Rodrigues from 0 to 100 using live weather along the path and the official status, refreshed every 20 minutes. You also see how busy it is. Open the trail in the app to see the live score and the best time to go today.