The levadas are channels built to distribute water from the mountains to the fields

Usually they have a path alongside used for construction, inspection and repair, but these are not designed for tourists!

Many are safe and easy to follow

Some are spectacularly dangerous

The path runs underneath this waterfall, the ledge is narrow and unprotected In the next phot the levada is cut into the cliff level with the top of this waterfall - you can see it more clearly towards the top left of the picture below

There are two distinct types of walking on Madeira: The levadas, with paths running level alongside the water channels that distribute water from the mountains to the terraces and villages

These often still pass through the terraced market gardens they were designed to serve

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The Levadas of Madeira