A levada is an irrigation channel or aqueduct specific to the Portuguese Atlantic region of Madeira. In the 16th century the Portuguese started building levadas to carry water to the agricultural regions in the south. Over 2,170 km (1,350 mi) of levadas were built and later provided a network of walking paths.
Due to the dangerously mountainous landscape, building levadas was often tasked to criminals and convicts from continental Portugal. Today levadas supply water and also provide hydro-electric power.
These are some scenes from a lovely levada along the south coast of Madeira. We walked this city border levada first, and later in the week returned to our favourite mountain levada. They are totally different. Ready? Let’s go!
We jumped off the local bus at Estreito de Camara de Lobos. The walk starts in a vineyard. We were grateful for the shadow!
The whole walk presented splendid views over the landscapes and the ocean.
Every now and then we met a local farmer on the path.
And – curious little friends peeping out for a closer look at us.
This is a very mountainous landscape, and the levada was sometimes redirected to another path because of overhanging cliffs and stones.
Workers in the heat of the day, a singing levada, fruits and berries among the flowers. And…lizards en masse!
Paths can provide easy and relaxing walks through the countryside, while others are narrow, crumbling ledges where a slip could result in injury or death. We walked the most dangerous ones in the 1980’s – today we would not take the risk.
Children played with the water of course – this little guy had built a boat for the levada – and as we passed him, we found his shoes too.
Animals are kept in little sheds – palheiros – I feel so sorry for them. Living in the mountains means not many places for grazing, and they could also slip and fall. I was so happy to find this beautiful goat in a massive field of lush grass! But, look closely at his horns – they are tied together.
Leya 
It shows how well thought-out and constructed these levadas were, that they survive and are still used today. This looks a beautiful walk, with lovely views and lots of interesting sights. I love your photo of the lizard!
Thank you, dear Ann-Christine, for taking us for a walk along a levada. Beautiful. We had never heard before of levadas.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
So happy to share! Tomorrow comes with our favourite levada!
We are looking forward to it.
What a lovely place for a walk
Thank you, so glad to share that lovely place!
It is the most beautiful landscape, isn’t it? We’ve only done the easier ones xx
Beautiful it is indeed – There was a time we tried to walk all of them, but some were in bad shape and some closed half way. More than once we had to turn back because of mist. So – and now it is too late.
Love the lizard and seascape.
I am glad you liked them! Thank you!
What a beautiful place! I’m happy I could walk along.
Me too♥
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Very interesting engineering that has survived to this day. Marvellous sights.
Thank you, Nez – much appreciated.
So beautiful. What an amazing construction feat
Yes, aren’t they? Amazing work.
What an interesting piece of history! The scenery is absolutely stunning.
Thank you, Egidio – the island is very beautiful everywhere!