Levada Nova starting from Ribeira Brava — route on the Island of Madeira

First ascent on the Levada Nova near Tabua. Easy, no steep climbs and only a moderate risk of vertigo. But all the better views over the valley and the sea with a lot of sunshine. Very clear recommendation!

A very nice hike - there and back. You have to be careful on the Levada itself, it goes downhill steeply in places... otherwise I can only recommend it!

[Recording from September 25th, 2024] Today we're walking a bit along the Levada Nova again. Today's highlights are the views of the settlements on the mountain slopes, the terraces that are no longer used due to rural exodus, a small levada tunnel and the succulents and cacti on the edge of the levada. Conclusion: A nice, entertaining hike that brings you a little closer to the difficult management of the island.

Relaxed hike along the Levada Nova. Beautiful views of the valley and mountain slopes. 😀 Easy to walk, mostly on a narrow concrete path, there is also a small tunnel. Some sections are unsecured, so you should have a head for heights.

The levada hikes are super pleasant because there is little difference in altitude and you get good insights into different landscapes. The flora on Madeira is really impressive, tropical and everything is very green.

Relaxed tour along the Levada without any major highlights but with great views. The HM cannot be correct, the only climb was to the bar in Ribeira de Tabua and that was about 60...

In the morning, we undertake another hike along a levada near Ribeira Brava. We take the tour from the Rother hiking guide Madeira - Tour #10: The Valley of Tabua. After a 15-minute drive, we reach Corujeira, the starting point, and park the car on the roadside. There are no visible, designated parking spaces – as described in the hiking guide. The Levada Nova runs west around the hamlet. We follow the channel north on a well-maintained path. In exposed sections, safety railings are installed. After about a kilometer, the levada runs through a 75-meter-long tunnel. We hike on the west slope in the valley of the Ribeira da Tabua. In the morning hours, we walk in the shade and it is pleasantly cool. In the hamlet of Sítio da Ribeira da Tabua at the end of the valley, we switch to the east side of the valley – just as the sun appears over the mountain ridge. It is now getting warmer, and we are glad to walk through the shady, damp groves that have formed on the windings of the slope along small tributaries of the stream. Above the village of Candelária, we turn back and return to the hamlet at the end of the valley. In the center of the village, above the church, there is a café offering cool drinks and light meals, as well as coffee and cake. A full lunch should not be expected. In just under an hour, we are then back at the starting point. Along the way, we meet a few hikers and two groups – but no comparison to the popular hike in the valley of the Ribeira da Ponta Sol.

Nice, easy hike. No gradients. Well signposted. Don't be afraid of heights, hiking boots and a flashlight are necessary.