Levada das 25 Fontes on Madeira: How to Hike PR6

PR6: 25 Fontes + Risco Waterfall

In the heart of Rabaçal, high up between densely forested mountains, lies Levada das 25 Fontes, one of the best things to do in Madeira.

For this particular route, most people actually combine two trails, the 25 Fontes Levada (PR6) and the Risco Waterfall (PR6.1). Both start from the same parking lot and lead you alongside a levada toward two stunning waterfalls.

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Did you know? A levada is an irrigation channel. On Madeira, you’ll find about 3.000 km of levadas, some of which date back to the 16th century! The north is especially known for the rain, which allows the water to be transported across the entire island.

Witness Risco Waterfall plummeting down from a hundred meters, enshrouded in ferns and verdant mosses. However, the real highlight lies at the end, where you’ll see 25 different streams cascade down a cliff face into a peaceful lagoon.

Officially, this is an out-and-back trail, meaning you walk to the waterfalls and back, with an optional detour towards the Risco Waterfall. Depending on whether you take the shuttle from the parking lot, it’s an additional 2km walk down (and up) the mountain. Details: 

• Total km: 9-11 km roundtrip
• Time: 3-4 hours
• Elevation: 300-800 meters (with – without shuttle)
• Difficulty: Easy – intermediate
• Entrance: Free to visit, no tickets

The Hiking Trail of 25 Fontes Levada, Madeira

The trail to 25 Fontes is very well set out with signs, making it easy to follow. Quite different from other hikes, the path is mostly made up of good stone steps. With beautiful, overgrown laurel trees and incredible valley views, it’s a must-do hike in Madeira.

You start the hike at the Rabaçal parking lot and follow a paved road down to the Rabaçal Nature Spot Cafe. Just to the right of this building lies the official trailhead towards the falls. If you’d like to shorten your hike, you also have the option to hop on a shuttle from the parking lot, which takes you to the cafe.

From here, the path guides you into a dense forest covered by snaking trees’ branches, with the iconic levada channel flowing alongside you. The hike is moderately difficult, making it an accessible but still adventurous thing to do in Madeira.

PR 6.1 Risco Waterfall

At a certain moment along the route, you can decide: you either keep walking directly to 25 Fontes or choose a small detour (about 800m) to the stunning Risco Waterfall. With a height of 100 meters, it’s Madeira’s highest waterfall and an incredible sight to see. 

To get to the viewing point, you simply follow the signs pointing in that direction. Soak up the falls’ plummeting two-tiered stream, often visited by stunningly-colored little birds. Snap some photos, and then head back on the same path to continue the route to Levada das 25 Fontes. 

Levada das 25 Fontes

Once you’ve made it back to the intersection, the path continues on the left-hand side towards 25 Fontes Levada. The route takes you along a somewhat steep staircase down the mountain, past ever more densely grown forest and beautiful tropical flowers. 

And then, at the end, stands a beautiful wide waterfall with, as the name suggests, 25 streams falling down the cliff face – wow! These different waterfalls all drop into a large central basin, surrounded by incredible greenery, from lush vines to vibrant mosses.

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Note: You have the chance to cool off in the basin, which is perfect on a hot summer day (though still very cold!). However, keep in mind that it can get quite busy at both falls and you have to hike back.

The Route Back

When you’ve soaked up the stunning scenery and the falls’ atmosphere, it’s time to circle back. From Levada das 25 Fontes, it’s the same route back to the parking lot, following the levada and signs pointing to Rabaçal. 

At Rabaçal Nature Spot Café (Casa do Rabaçal), reward yourself with a delicious lemon meringue pie (or other treat) and a coffee before the last leg of your hike. You can sit both inside and outside, but watch your food – the little birds here will hunt for your crumbs!

Alternative route: Instead of following the exact same route back to the cafe/parking lot, you can also walk further into the valley and through an 800-meter-long tunnel. This requires a headlamp and adds a big workout to your journey, but it’s an option for those looking to do a bit more hiking. You’ll find this exact route on Alltrails.

The Best Time to Hike Levada das 25 Fontes

Although Madeira is known to have great weather year-round, the northern mountains are prone to slightly more rainfall. Because of this, the best time to hike the Levada das 25 Fontes in Madeira is from April to October. In the late spring, the levada is especially magical, with vibrant flowers and cascading waterfalls at their fullest!

During the shoulder months, the island sees mild temperatures and lush scenery but also fewer crowds. As 25 Fontes Levada is one of the most popular hikes, expect it to be busy, especially in the summer. 

Tip: Wear layers on your hike, as the weather can be unpredictable here. It can be very cold, warm, windy, cloudy, or clear. Therefore, it’s worth checking beforehand what the weather is like.

To avoid queuing in line, we recommend visiting really early in the morning or late afternoon (like we did). The latter option is especially great as many people come early and take about 3-4 hours to hike the trail. However, make sure you wrap up the hike before it turns dark.

How to Get to the PR6 Trailhead

The Rabaçal parking lot is the starting point of the route and is about an hour’s drive from the bustling city of Funchal, Madeira. 

By Car

From Funchal, the easiest way to get to the Levada das 25 Fontes trailhead is to drive. Through the Encumeada pass, the road leads into the picturesque mountains past Paul da Serra. Alternatively, you can drive along the coast to Calheta and up towards Rabaçal. 

No matter the direction, the drive takes roughly an hour and offers sweeping views of Madeira’s incredible landscapes. After parking at the Rabaçal parking lot (free), you can hop on a 10-minute shuttle or walk half an hour down the paved road to the PR6 trailhead. Note: If you opt for the van, be prepared to wait (it gets busy!) and have cash with you.

By Organized Tour

Another option for doing the 25 Fontes hike is to join an organized tour. Many tour options are offered for PR6, from transfers to day hikes with a guide, which is the perfect way to get into the northern mountains if you don’t have your own transportation.

If you opt for a self-guided hike, you’ll be picked up from your hotel, dropped at the hike, and picked up again afterward.

What to Bring on Your Hikes in Madeira

Levada das 25 Fontes is a must-see on your Madeira itinerary and one of the most popular things to do. Here are some things to pack to make this incredible hike go as smoothly as possible:

• Good shoes (waterproof sneakers with a good profile or proper hiking boots.)
• Sunglasses
• Environmentally-friendly sunscreen
• Cap
• Plenty of water (in a reusable bottle, the perfect way to travel plastic-free!)
• Some snacks 

• Layers (temperatures change throughout the trail)
• Waterproof jacket 
• A headlamp (if you’re taking the alternative route back)
• Your camera
• Optional: hiking poles (great during the more strenuous parts of the hike)

Hotels Near the Levada das 25 Fontes Hike

As Madeira is rather compact, it’s easy to get to the 25 Fontes hike from Funchal, the island’s capital city. Base yourself here and drive or transfer up north to go hiking. Funchal is an incredible city packed with excellent accommodation options, from cozy apartments to diverse hotels. 

Our favorite hotels in Funchal 😴

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Quinta Da Penha De Franca

Funchal

Atlântico Azul

Funchal

Hotel Alto Lido

Funchal

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Funchal

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