A Trip to Madeira - Levada do Alecrim

It has been too long since I talked about another levada! These wonderful trails through the Madeira green wilderness really are one of my* favorite experiences in Madeira*, the only thing I sure regret is not visiting more of them! For those who don’t know and haven’t read my article on the gorgeous levada in Balcões, “levadas” are trails built many years ago to facilitate the traveling of water from the natural springs in the center of the island to the towns below on the seaside, nowadays they are **the best hiking destination **you can have while visiting Madeira (and even Portugal in general)

Levada do Alecrim

This levada is a bit remote but once you get to it’s entrance it is very clear, since you’ll find a parking area for hikers to leave their cars. This area of Madeira, due to it’s remoteness, manages to let you meet one of the islands best hosts:** Cows!** When I arrived at the levada the entrance was full of cows! The creatures are free tho roam on this vast area to graze and eat, on the way back we even found some grazing on the road.

But after this great entrance you get to the levada, and Levada do Alecrim is much longer than Balcões, and much more dangerous! You'll be greeted with a tight trail with vegetation from all sides, as you follow the water stream, through all the different obstacles along to way, and eventually get to the Risco Waterfall! You’ll have two options on how to end your voyage, either go down and see the lagoon where the waterfall to, or continue in front and see the top of this gorgeous waterfall right at the end of the trail (I took the latter). There isn’t much more I want to say, but there is a lot to show!

Like most of the levadas, Levada do Alecrim is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Most are built on cliffs, and many people each year, mostly tourists,* fall from the cliffside*, some times the falls are deadly. So be cautions, the paths can be tight and slippery. Don’t risk your life for a photo.