Madeira ideas for a short visit

I am looking for a first levada walk in Madeira, but route length alone does not tell me whether it will be comfortable. A moderate half-day walk sounds appealing, yet narrow paths beside steep drops are a different matter for me. Some descriptions mention tunnels, and I am not sure how much light or headroom to expect. As a starting point I read best levada walks in madeira but I would rather choose by conditions than by a ranking. When the forecast changes quickly, I assume a route can feel quite different from its photos. How do you verify a trail is suitable on the day and decide whether to postpone instead of pressing on? The return journey is also part of the decision, because I will not have a car and would prefer not to rely on an uncertain pickup. I would be grateful for a less exposed starting route, plus any warning signs that would make you choose a different day or trail. A shorter alternative would be fine if the weather turns.