The Levada dos Cedros hike follows a levada via probably the most stunning forest sections on Madeira till you lastly attain an unimaginable waterfall! This shady, forest hike winds via lush greenery for six kilometers earlier than you’ll uncover a multi-tiered waterfall for a refreshing dip.
LEVADA DOS CEDROS WATERFALL HIKE DETAILS
- Hike Distance: The complete distance of the hike is 11.5km out and again (return journey) OR 11km for those who do a round loop passing via Fanal forest as an alternative of going out and again alongside the Levada. I’ll focus on each choices later within the weblog submit.
- Hike Duration:Â The hike could be accomplished in about 3-4 hours relying on how lengthy you chill out and benefit from the waterfall on the midway level.
- Hike Difficulty: The path is pretty easy with no moments of hazard. You have a security railing at any time when there’s a drop-off. The path is at all times following the levada so the route is obvious however usually the path is rocky or muddy however nothing to fret about. If you are taking the return route by way of Fanal, you’ll have to endure 400m of an incline up the steep stairs. I’ll focus on the choices of the return route later within the weblog submit.
- Hike Incline:Â 400 meters for those who return by way of Fanal. 100 meters for those who do an out and again to the waterfall following Levada dos Cedros solely.
- My mountain climbing information: I did this hike with an area information (additionally a fantastic pal) known as João. He’s lived in Madeira his complete life and is aware of the entire distinctive trails (not simply the favored ones). This path requires some native data for the instructions so I like to recommend a information. Want to contact João to be your information for this hike or any of the hikes I’ve achieved on Madeira? You can contact him on Instagram right here: João Let’s Hike or by electronic mail: [email protected]
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HOW TO GET TO LEVADA DOS CEDROS
The trailhead is in a little bit of an fascinating space as a result of as you drive down the street searching for the start line, there are such a lot of different mountain climbing trailheads. The hike is within the northwestern nook of Madeira and is a couple of one-hour drive from Funchal, which is 48 kilometers away. There is parking proper close to the trailhead on the facet of the street.
I recommend combining this hike with dawn at Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela rock formations, which as what we did. Another choice is to first watch the dawn and have a swim at Seixal Beach or Seixal Natural Pools. earlier than the hike. Finally, after the hike, you may wish to chill out on the close by Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. Just some strategies of close by issues to do on while you’re within the north-west area of Madeira.
I’ve hooked up a map with the precise pin of the start line under and there’s a very clear signal on the trailhead so for those who comply with these you’ll be set.
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MY EXPERIENCE ON THE LEVADA DOS CEDROS WATERFALL HIKE
After an epic morning down at Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela rock formations, we ventured again inland to get out onto the paths. The route I deliberate to take was the PR14 Levada dos Cedra to Fanal route, which is an 11.5km round route. I ended up following via with the route however would most likely advocate individuals do an out-and-back from the parking zone reasonably than looping via Fanal.
While Fanal is a pleasant spot to go to, combining it with the Levada dos Cedros meant we needed to stroll on the street for nearly 3-kilometers. That was the official route of the Madeira Map. If you simply merely go alongside the Levada dos Cedros, attain the waterfall, after which return the identical means you’ll be in nature the entire means. You can simply cease off for a have a look at the Fanal forest after the hike as nicely.
There is a helpful little parking zone subsequent to the facet of the street proper earlier than the trailhead so we gathered our issues, discovered the white PR14 signal with the map, and headed off into the shade of the forest path.
One of the nice components about this path was how shady it was. This could be extremely useful on a scorching Madeira day. It could be scorching and onerous to hike when the solar is in full pressure however this path is admittedly cool even throughout the center of the day after we hiked.
Like many levada trails on Madeira, this one started slowly. However, as we hiked additional and additional into the forest the surroundings turned more and more spectacular. Branches intertwined with disregard for which tree they really belonged to as they hung over the path making a tunnel for the curious hikers. Lush greens burst via the undergrowth with tropical vegetation lining the edges of the rugged path. There was at all times one thing to marvel at alongside the Levada dos Cedros waterfall hike.
There are two details of curiosity on this path. The first one comes after about 4 kilometers of mountain climbing and is a viewpoint, which appears to be like out over the valley to the mountain ridges within the distance. During golden hour this can be a stunning spot to see the sunshine filter in.
The second primary focal point and the spotlight of the path comes on the midway level of the route. You will attain a small canyon, the place the river appears to stream down from. A well-worn however rugged and rocky path leads you as much as a number of small waterfalls.
We had a fast have a look at this smaller waterfall and cascade however realized there have to be one thing greater and higher across the nook.
Our instinct led us to an unimaginable multi-tiered waterfall that was nestled amongst unruly vines, moss, and tropical bushes. It was a magical oasis amidst the thick forest and I undoubtedly took benefit of this by having a refreshing dip beneath the waterfall. On a sunny day when the sunshine filters into this unimaginable little spot, it’s one other world and actually considered one of my favourite spots on Madeira.
At this level, you’ve a few choices. You can return the identical means you got here, which is able to imply having fun with the forest surroundings beside the levada. The different choice is to move up the steps on the signal that claims ‘Fanal’. This is the official map route on the Madeira App for the Levada dos Cedros to Fanal Hike. This route leads you up an aggressive part of well-maintained however very steep stairs. In this part of the hike, it turned extremely humid and the air was so scorching and thick it made the steps even more durable.
When you lastly attain the highest of the steps you’ll stroll alongside the street for a kilometer till you flip off and do a scenic route via the Fanal space, which is known for its moody bushes and foggy scenes. You will then re-emerge onto the street and must stroll just a few kilometers on the street again to the automobile. There isn’t any footpath and nothing to have a look at so it felt a bit bizarre doing ‘hiking’ on the street as a part of an official hike, which is why I like to recommend this hike as an out and again reasonably than including Fanal into the loop. We had enjoyable, both means, that’s only a tip for these searching for the absolute best expertise.
ADVENTURE BAG FROM THE LEVADA DOS CEDROS HIKE
This is an journey bag. It is filled with trash. Every time I am going on an journey I acquire one journey bag filled with trash. It’s my small means of claiming due to mom nature for permitting me to get pleasure from her stunning creations. If we’ve time to go on an journey we’ve time to gather an journey bag on the best way again out of the path as soon as we’ve loved the waterfall, the hike, or the seaside. Adventure onerous!
Tag your Adventure Bag on Instagram and point out @adventurebagcrew in your Instagram tales and we are going to repost your Adventure Bag photograph to assist encourage your pals, household, and followers to affix the motion!
I hope you loved this information concerning the Levada dos Cedros hike on Madeira Island.
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Throughout my six months on Madeira Island, I stayed in a number of lodging. My favourite areas to remain in have been Funchal and Canico de Baixo. I’ve created a number of guides that can assist you discover the precise area for you and a fantastic lodge or condominium.
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