Hike to the Levada das 25 Fontes and Risco Waterfall (Madeira)

On Madeira, the Levada das 25 Fontes is one of the most popular Levada hikes, and rightly so. Starting from Rabaçal, it takes you through a nature reserve along Levadas (irrigation channels) to a blue lagoon fed by 25 springs and waterfalls. Another highlight of this hike is the Risco waterfall, which you can admire from various perspectives.

During my one-week tour of Madeira in November, we hiked the popular 25 Fontes Levada trail starting from Rabaçal on the PR 6 path. In this article, you will learn everything about the hike, the trail's conditions, and how to avoid the tourist crowds.

Here you can find out what our Madeira trip cost, and here my recommendation for the best time to visit Madeira.

A large, (still) free gravel parking lot is located on the Paúl da Serra plateau near Rabaçal (Google Maps link) and is the starting point for the hike to the Levada das 25 Fontes. The nearest village is Calheta (about 20 minutes drive), Funchal can be reached in about 45 minutes by car.

Tip: The parking lot fills up quickly, especially during the peak season and on weekends. I recommend arriving by 9 AM at the latest to secure a parking spot.

Without a rental car: If you don't have a rental car, you can book a transfer from Funchal here and arrange a guided tour like this one. The transfer from Funchal and the surrounding area is included. After our research, there is no public bus that services this parking lot.

From the parking lot, a paved road leads downhill for about 30 minutes to the Casa do Rabaçal, the official starting point of the hike.

Shuttle Tip: If you want to save the hike, you can take a shuttle bus to the Casa do Rabaçal for about €3 one way. However, there may be wait times during the peak season. Bring cash!

Alternative access: There is also access via the Túnel da Calheta, an unlit tunnel (about 800 m long). This route is less busy but requires a good flashlight and sturdy footwear.

Based on our experience, you should start the hike as early as possible (especially during the summer months) to avoid the crowds. The narrow passages along the trail can get crowded quickly and can become dangerous. We started our hike at 9 AM, and the parking lot was already pretty full.

The peak times (10 AM - 2 PM) are often visited by larger hiking groups, which can have up to 30 participants. The hike is designed to function like a one-way street system to manage the flow of visitors. However, not everyone adheres to the clear signage. This leads to congestion. If you have time flexibility, plan to hike early in the morning or from around 3 PM in the afternoon.

NEW: My Madeira map featuring the most beautiful places, attractions, hikes, beaches, and food guide. Save all locations with one click in Google Maps to save a lot of time. We also add tips in notes so you can see where all the locations are. Check out the Madeira guide here.

I hope that your stay becomes an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

The hike starts at the information board for the Levada PR 6 and 6.1 on the E.R. 110 in Rabaçal. There is a large parking lot where you can park your car. If you want to save time, you can use the shuttle bus from 10 AM to 6 PM for a fee. The distance is short (about 2 km), and even we did not use it with a toddler.

From the parking lot, a paved road leads down for about 30 minutes to the Rabaçal Forestry House, where the official hike begins. Here is the Rabaçal Nature Spot Café (opens at 10 AM), where we took a break and refueled after our hike.

The café was not open when we arrived, nor were the toilets (available for a fee).

On the PR 6 hiking trail, we continue through a green Laurisilva laurel forest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with breathtaking views of the valley and the high mountains. Since we are on the trail early, we partially enjoy absolute peace until we reach the pool with the 25 Fontes after four kilometers.

At some points, the trail runs directly along the wall of the Levada, where you should be careful with your footing. However, the hiking trail is secured with a small fence everywhere. If you are afraid of heights, this fence will still give you security since sometimes the terrain slopes steeply downward.

The goal of the hike is a kind of lagoon or pool filled by 25 springs or waterfalls. These flow down the walls and drip from all sides into the basin. The water shimmers turquoise. The sight is beautiful.

There are many stones that provide us seating, ideal for a snack and a short break. If you're brave, you can take a dip in the icy water.

At the Rabaçal Forestry House, we were greeted after the hike with delicious quiche, locally styled sandwiches, cakes, and Pastel de Nata before we make our way back to the parking lot.

Note: Use of the toilets inside is free for customers. There is another building outside with paid toilets.

On the way back, you can either walk directly to the café and thus the starting point, or continue along the Levada do Risco to the Risco waterfall. If you choose the latter, just follow the PR 6.1 sign. At the beginning, there are some steps to go up. Once you reach the top, the rest of the trail to the waterfall along the Levada is a pleasant walk.

The Levada do Risco runs behind the waterfall. However, the tunnel was closed when we tried, and we had to turn back.

The return path is the same as the way out: down the steps, continuing along Levada das 25 Fontes, and back to the parking lot.

In winter, when fewer tourists are usually on Madeira, water is frequently diverted from the waterfall to generate electricity.

NEW: My Madeira map featuring the most beautiful places, attractions, hikes, beaches, and food guide. Save all locations with one click in Google Maps to save a lot of time. We also add tips in notes so you can see where all the locations are. Check out the Madeira guide here.

I hope that your stay becomes an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

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