PR18 (Levada do Rei) is a 5.3 km each way (10.6 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 578m 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 578m, Levada do Rei 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.
Ten seconds, one tap, from €2.99 once. No subscription.
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 do Rei 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
1h20
About Levada do Rei
Trail along the Levada do Rei, starting at the São Jorge water treatment station (ETA) and reaching Ribeiro Bonito. Crosses dense Laurissilva forest (UNESCO World Heritage, 1999) with endemic species. On the return, the village of São Jorge offers three centuries of history and agricultural land.
Levada do Rei (PR18) is a round trip route of about 10.6 km in Madeira.
What you'll see
Along the way you'll find endemic Madeiran flora, a levada water-channel path, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints and laurel forest (laurisilva).
Landmarks on the route include Posto Florestal Cascalho.
Difficulty
Levada do Rei rates as easy on our objective scale, based on 10.6 km round trip, 160 m of ascent and low exposure.
This grade is an estimate from distance, ascent and exposure, not an official IFCN rating.
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 Quebradas. Ends at Ribeiro Bonito. The car park at the start has room for about 8.
What to bring
This trail passes through 3 tunnels, so bring a head torch.
Best time to walk it
Spring to autumn; dense laurisilva that is lushest after spring rain. Winter leaves the levada path muddy and slippery.
This route runs through a mix of sun and shade.
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 do Rei 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 do Rei worth hiking today?
It depends on today's conditions, and that is exactly what Levadas answers. The app reads the current weather at Levada do Rei, 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 do Rei?
Levada do Rei is about 10.6 km round trip.
How difficult is Levada do Rei?
Levada do Rei rates as easy based on its distance, ascent and exposure (an objective estimate, not an official IFCN grade).
Is Levada do Rei safe?
Levada do Rei 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 do Rei, 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 do Rei take to walk?
Allow about 3h 30m for the round trip.
Can I download a GPX track for Levada do Rei?
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 do Rei?
Yes. Levada do Rei 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 do Rei start and finish?
Levada do Rei starts at Quebradas and finishes at Ribeiro Bonito.
What will I see on Levada do Rei?
Highlights include endemic Madeiran flora, a levada water-channel path, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints and laurel forest (laurisilva).
When is the best time to hike Levada do Rei?
Spring to autumn; dense laurisilva that is lushest after spring rain. Winter leaves the levada path muddy and slippery.
Are there tunnels on Levada do Rei? Do I need a torch?
Yes, Levada do Rei passes through 3 tunnels, so bring a head torch.
Is Levada do Rei open right now?
IFCN lists Levada do Rei as officially open. Status can change, so check the latest before you go.
How do I check live conditions for Levada do Rei?
Levadas scores Levada do Rei 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.