Levada das 25 Fontes: Madeira's Most Famous Walk

Levada das 25 Fontes is the walk almost everyone wants to do in Madeira. From Rabaçal, in a green valley below the Paul da Serra plateau, a path follows an old water channel through laurel forest to a pool fed by dozens of small cascades. A short detour adds the tall Risco waterfall. Here’s how to plan it in 2026.

Quick answer: park at Rabaçal on the ER110, about an hour’s drive from Funchal. Walk or take the shuttle minibus 2km down to the forestry house, follow PR6 to the 25 Fontes pool and add the PR6.1 detour to the Risco waterfall. Allow 3 to 5 hours. Each trail needs a booked slot and a €4.50 fee on SIMplifica. Arrive before 9am for parking.

The trail at a glance

• PR6 Levada das 25 Fontes: 4.3km each way (8.6km return), about 3 hours, rated moderate by Visit Madeira. It runs between 1,288m and 964m, so you walk mostly downhill on the way out and climb on the way back.
• PR6.1 Levada do Risco: 1.5km each way (3km return), about 2 hours with stops, rated easy. It shares the first stretch and ends at a waterfall viewpoint.
• Where it starts: the official start is up on the main road, and about 2km of the PR6 distance is the tarmac road down to the forestry house.

Walk the road both ways and add Risco and you’ll cover about 11km. Take the shuttle both ways and it’s closer to 7km.

Booking and fees

Since January 2026 every official trail in Madeira needs a 30-minute start slot booked on the regional SIMplifica portal. Visit Madeira lists Risco as a separate trail with its own fee, so if you want to see both, book both.

• Fee: €4.50 per trail for anyone over 12. Children aged 12 and under are free, but still need a slot.
• Doing both: two fees come to €9, the same as the one-day pass, which covers every trail that day except PR1. There are also three-day (€22.50) and seven-day (€52.50) passes.
• With a guide: tour companies with an agreement with IFCN, the regional forestry institute, pay €3 and book for you.
• Book ahead: July and August morning slots can fill days in advance. Book before you set off, as phone signal on the plateau is patchy, and keep the confirmation on your phone.

Getting to Rabaçal

• By car: Rabaçal is on the ER110 across Paul da Serra, about an hour from Funchal and roughly half an hour up from Calheta. The car park by the road has been free, but in summer it is often full by about 9am.
• The shuttle: the side road down to the forestry house is closed to private cars. A minibus run by Calheta council carries walkers down and back, usually from about 10am to 6pm. The council’s own pages list fares of €3 to €5 one way and €5 to €8 return, so bring cash and expect queues.
• Walking the road: about 2km of steep tarmac, roughly 20 to 30 minutes down and 30 to 45 minutes back up. Early starters often walk down, then ride the shuttle back.
• Public transport: buses are not a practical way to reach the trailhead. Use a hire car, a taxi or a tour.

Don’t want to drive? See guided levada walks, many with pickup in Funchal, that cover 25 Fontes and Risco. Check whether the trail fee is included. Compare options in the best Madeira tours.

The walk step by step

1. Rabaçal forestry house: the road and the shuttle end here. It has the only toilets on the route.
2. The split: a short way below the house, the Levada do Risco carries on along a wide, level path, while signed steps drop down to the Levada das 25 Fontes.
3. Risco waterfall: the level path ends at a viewpoint facing falls that drop about 100m down a sheer rock face. Come back the same way. Allow 30 to 45 minutes from the junction and back.
4. The levada path: the 25 Fontes route follows the channel through laurel forest and old tree heather, crosses a bridge over the Ribeira Grande, then climbs a stone staircase on to a narrower path, only one person wide in places.
5. The one-way section: you walk the last stretch to the pool along the levada and return on a signed bypass. When the bypass is closed for works, the levada runs both ways, so follow the signs on the day.
6. 25 Fontes: water from Paul da Serra seeps out of the rock through some 25 springs into a pool in a green bowl. It gets crowded at midday, so give others room for photos.

The tunnel option

Instead of the road, some walkers and guided groups use PR6.6, the Túnel do Cavalo. This 2.3km trail, about 45 minutes, links the Rabaçal house with the Caldeira picnic area on the Calheta side, through an unlit 19th-century tunnel about 800m long. You need a proper torch or headtorch and shoes that cope with a wet floor. It has its own slot and fee, and only works if you start at Caldeira or someone collects you there.

Crowds and best time

• Start early: be parked before 9am, for a space and a quieter path. Late morning is the worst time to arrive.
• Late afternoon: from about 3pm the trail empties, but watch the daylight and the last shuttle.
• Season: spring and autumn are milder and quieter. The falls run fullest after the wetter months and can be thin by late summer.
• Weather: Paul da Serra is often wrapped in thick mist even when Funchal is sunny. The valley is cooler and damper than the coast, and showers come and go fast. See the best time to visit Madeira.

What to wear and bring

• Shoes with grip: steps and levada edges are often wet.
• Layers and a rain jacket: above 1,000m it’s noticeably cooler than the coast.
• Water and snacks: don’t count on buying anything on the trail.
• Cash for the shuttle, a torch for the tunnel, and your booking saved offline.

Safety

• Drops: parts of the path are narrow, with steep drops beside the channel. Fences protect the riskier points, but don’t lean on them.
• Closures: trails here close after heavy rain, rockfalls and for maintenance. PR6 shut for clearing after a storm in June 2023, and parts closed for two weeks of works in June 2024. Check the status on Visit Madeira or the IFCN site the day before.
• Emergency: call 112.

Combining with other walks

Other official trails start at the Rabaçal house. PR6.2 Levada do Alecrim is an easy 3.5km route, about 2.5 hours, with wide valley views and fewer people. It needs its own slot too, so if you walk three trails in a day, the €9 pass saves money.

By car, the misty laurel trees of Fanal are across the plateau, and the sandy beach at Calheta is below for an afternoon swim. For a second big walk, the PR1 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is booked separately, as passes don’t cover it.

FAQ

How long does the 25 Fontes walk take?

About 3 hours return on the official figures. Add Risco, walk the road both ways and stop for lunch, and it’s more like 4 to 5 hours.

Do you need to book 25 Fontes?

Yes. You need a 30-minute slot on SIMplifica and a €4.50 fee for everyone over 12. Risco (PR6.1) is listed as a separate trail, so book it too.

Is the Rabaçal shuttle worth it?

Most people find it worth it for the steep 2km climb back up. It usually runs from about 10am to 6pm and takes cash.

Can children do the walk?

Children who are steady on their feet usually manage, but there are steps and exposed sections. Risco is easier for young families. Under-13s walk free but still need a booked slot.

More: Madeira levada walks, getting around Madeira and the Madeira travel guide.

See also: the PR1 Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo guide, Fanal forest, Calheta and the best Madeira tours.

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