The PR18 Rei Levada Walk (King Levada) covers an area of ??5.1 km takes between 3:30 hours. It offers spectacular views of farmland São Jorge and Santana. The route begins in the Quebradas Water Treatment Plant in São Jorge and ends at the same place, at an altitude between 710m and 530m.
This route initially through an exotic forest area combined with indigenous vegetation copies. From half way, the Levada that runs along the slope from the interior of the island, through an area of ??natural forest well developed and rich in natural biodiversity. The tunnels formed by the luxuriant vegetation and the great variety of species.
During this taken can be observed arboreal species such as the tilde (Ocotea foetens), Loureiro (Laurus novocanariensis), the Vinhático (Persea indica) and animal species such as Bis-Bis (Regulus ignicapillus maderensis), the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs maderensis) .
Coming to Ribeiro Bonito, rest before returning. The Ribeiro Bonito is considered a natural sanctuary because of the extreme beauty of the place, covered by vegetation that characterizes one of the Madeira indigenous forests, the Laurissilva Forest – reaching the pinnacle for its location, isolation and plenty of water.
The return is made by the same route in reverse. At the end of the route take advantage and visit the São Jorge Water Millabout three centuries of history, is a good example of preservation, fed with water from the Levada of the King, that it grinds wheat, maize, barley and rye grown on the terraces of São Jorge.
Distance: 5,1 Km (+ 5,1 Km return)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3.5 hours
Start/Finish: ETAR de São Jorge / ETAR de São Jorge
Highest point/Lowest point: 710 m / 523 m
Warning tips: Danger of vertigo; Tunnels during route; carry a torch/light; the path my be slippery, use anti slip footwear;