Everyone has his favorite, talking about levadawalks and explorings at Madeira. I have walked some of them through more than 13 years. Here is two of my favorites - totally different from each other, but both with a spesific beauty you will remember for ever. Both my favorites you can walk without guid, with good shoes and a bottle with water. BUT: Take care, take time, take the silence.
For the preparence. Buy the book: Madeira car tours and walks, of: John & Pat Underwood. My reference is according to this book.
FAVORITE 1: Levada das 25 Fontes, page 128, tour nr. 37 in the book. You start at Rabacal House, about 25 minutes down from the parkingsplace on the mountain platou (1030 m/3380 ft) - You have to be prapared for climbing hundres of steps, from one levada to the other. But the wildness, the flowers and the waterfalls will give you a lot of payback.
The book describe the route and tell you everything you need to know.
FAVORITE 2: Ponta de Sao Lourenco, page 76, tour nr.13, distance 8 km, 2h30min. The sun-tanned arm of Sao Lourenco Point beckons you when you first approach the island by air. Wether you are an experienced walker or just a beginner, do spend a day out here. Remember a cap, water og good shooes. This is a totaly different walk from my first favorite. The kilometeres is very "long", the impressions is enormeus. The route spectular, but not dangerous. Here you will spend a day you do not forget.
If you walk my favorites - or you get other experiences, give your comments - and best of all - share your best memmories with the "mybestjourneys". I give both the walks quality-points 5.