RB-ROTABANANA (Rota da Banana) is a 1.5 km, easy, community route. Whether it is worth hiking right now depends on live conditions and today's official status, re-checked every 20 minutes in the live app.
Madeira
A forecast for the nearest town is not a forecast for this path. That is what the live score is for.
Go or wait today?
You have already picked the walk. The pass answers the one question left, whether today is the morning worth the drive: it reads the live weather on the trail and gives you one honest answer, re-checked every 20 minutes.
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Download GPX: free offline map
Grab the full GPS track and waypoints for Rota da Banana as a free GPX file, no signup. Load it into Garmin, Komoot, AllTrails, Gaia GPS or OsmAnd and follow the route offline, even where there is no phone signal.
ⓘ Source & safety
Track and waypoints from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Planning aid, not a safety guarantee. Check the official trail status and conditions before you go.About Rota da Banana
Three short marked paths (RB1 Ladeira, RB2 Nateiro, RB3 Vargem) thread through the largest banana plantation on Madeira, in the seaside village of Madalena do Mar. Narrow concrete lanes and mini levadas run between the plants, with locals often at work and views up to the cliffs that wall in the valley. Signed in 2019 by the parish council, it is a flat, easy stroll rather than a hike, and pairs well with a swim at the village beach.
Rota da Banana (RB-ROTABANANA) is a loop route of about 1.5 km in Madeira.
What you'll see
Expect a levada water-channel path, coastal cliffs and ocean views, panoramic viewpoints and gentle, family-friendly walking.
The path passes cultural heritage nearby, including Church of Santa Maria Madalena.
Difficulty
Rota da Banana is officially graded easy by IFCN, based on 1.5 km, 96 m of ascent and low exposure.
How long it takes
Allow about 40m.
The app's live 0-100 score also flags the latest safe start time for the day. See it in the app.
Getting there and back
Starts at Madalena do Mar seafront (Vereda do Nateiro). Ends at Loop via Vereda da Ladeira (optional Vereda da Vargem spur). The car park at the start has room for about 16. The car park is about 540 m from the start.
What to bring
None; the narrow concrete paths can be wet from irrigation
Best time to walk it
Year-round (sea-level, sheltered banana terraces)
Coastal walks are often at their best in soft late-afternoon light.
A live 0-100 score picks the best 30-minute window for the day. See today's window in the app.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rota da Banana worth hiking today?
It depends on today's conditions, and that is exactly what Levadas answers. The app reads the current weather at Rota da Banana, the safe-start window, how busy it is and the official IFCN status, then gives one honest go-or-wait score from 0 to 100, re-checked every 20 minutes. It is decision-support, not a safety clearance: an official IFCN closure always overrides the score, no matter how good the weather looks.
How long is Rota da Banana?
Rota da Banana is about 1.5 km (loop).
How difficult is Rota da Banana?
Rota da Banana is officially graded easy by IFCN.
How long does Rota da Banana take to walk?
Allow about 40m.
Can I download a GPX track for Rota da Banana?
Yes. Tap Download GPX on this page: the first download on any device asks for an email so we can also send the free trail pack, then every later trail downloads instantly.
Is Rota da Banana free to walk?
Yes. Rota da Banana needs no reservation and has no fee. Only the regulated official PR trails require a paid SIMplifica booking; this one you simply walk.
Where does Rota da Banana start and finish?
Rota da Banana starts at Madalena do Mar seafront (Vereda do Nateiro) and finishes at Loop via Vereda da Ladeira (optional Vereda da Vargem spur).
What will I see on Rota da Banana?
Highlights include a levada water-channel path, coastal cliffs and ocean views, panoramic viewpoints and gentle, family-friendly walking.
When is the best time to hike Rota da Banana?
Year-round (sea-level, sheltered banana terraces)
How do I check live conditions for Rota da Banana?
Levadas scores Rota da Banana from 0 to 100 using live weather, official status and crowd signals, refreshed every 20 minutes. Open the trail in the app to see the live score and the best time to go today.